• E-mail this page
• |  Print this page
• | 
• | 
• | 

Six Questions About The Google Phone

We're all waiting for the big news next week: Will Google finally announce the Google Phone? Well, I am ready for the Google Phone. In fact, I know exactly what I want to do with it when I first get my hands on one, assuming there actually will be a Google Phone. Here is my list of questions.

1. Let's imagine what the Google Phone might look like. I don't think the Google Phone will be as slick as the iPhone. In fact, I suspect it'll be a $150 candy bar or clamshell device with a feature set somewhere between a smartphone and a regular cell phone. I think it'll have a QWERTY keyboard (especially given the need for text input for Google search and other applications like Gmail), which would make similar to a device like the Helio Ocean.

2. Just how open will the Google Phone be? Will the Google Phone be a GSM device or a CDMA phone? Or is Google preparing a phone template that any number of carriers and handset makers have already signed on for? Just how carrier agnostic could the Google Phone be? Might it actually work on both GSM and CDMA networks?

3. The Google Phone will most likely include some form of Wi-Fi access. Will it be perfectly dual-mode or will the Wi-Fi access be locked in some way? I suspect it'll be pretty open, otherwise I can't imagine Google backing it.

4. Just how much location will the Google Phone use? Will the Google Phone be able to serve location-specific search ads? Will Google Maps work in real-time with GPS?

5. Will the Google Phone have video? Will Google try to embed YouTube with the Google Phone? Or will Google stay away from video for the first version?

6. Will the Google Phone run on 3G? I can't imagine Google pushing an EDGE device, can you?

What do you think? Will Google announce a cell phone next week? And if so, what features do you want on it?

« iPhone Impresses Europeans. Almost. | Main | Why Is Wall Street Punishing Clearwire? »