According to the Guardian Unlimited, Google is considering partnering with Orange the mobile phone operator, about a multi-billion-dollar partnership to create a ‘Google phone’ which makes it easy to search the web wherever you are.

Executives from Orange flew to Silicon Valley in California for a meeting at Google’s headquarters, or ‘Googleplex’, to hold preliminary discussions about a joint deal. The companies believe that they have an affinity as brands that are perceived as both ‘positive’ and ‘innovative’.

…..The device would not be revolutionary: manufactured by HTC, a Taiwanese firm specialising in smart phones and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), it might have a screen similar to a video iPod. But it would have built-in Google software which would dramatically improve on the slow and cumbersome experience of surfing the web from a mobile handset.

All of this makes sense in terms of Google’s acquisition of network data processing centers and providing free Internet access in various locations, and eventually, perhaps, everywhere. The phone might use VOIP to make searches and calls when a network is available. I can see where this going.

In fact, when I came to join a group hanging out with Jason Calacanis at the Magician’s Pub a couple of weeks ago. Jason talked about….

“….how easy it is for some of his ideas to get VC funding - he said he was joking about making Open Source hardware for downloading podcasts via roaming wireless connections - while walking the city …… and have some kind of advertising model based around it. But it was not that serious - just musing….until some VC’s practically got the funding ready.”

But the truth of the matter - Google’s idea of the Google Phone - partnering with Orange - is not that far off from Jason’s idea - it’s the same kind of Web 2.0 Genius.

Now…what I want is not just a Google Phone - Give me a Google Ultra Portable PC that has the Google OS on it! Let’s go right for the Jugular - why wait? The Google Ultra Portable would also use the Google Network and anything else that’s free and available. Just a thought.

Actually, I notice that Roland Piquepaille also has this story, but without my slant or commentary on it, in his Roland’s Sunday Smart Trends #141

Links: The Guardian, Webmetricsguru

According to the Guardian Unlimited, Google is considering partnering with Orange the mobile phone operator, about a multi-billion-dollar partnership to create a ‘Google phone’ which makes it easy to search the web wherever you are.
Executives from Orange flew to Silicon Valley in California for a meeting at Google’s headquarters, or ‘Googleplex’, to hold preliminary discussions [...]