It is disappointing that Google failed to participate in the wireless industry's largest trade show. Google likes to do things behind the scenes, but playing a more active -- and visible -- role in an industry that it is helping to shape would be nice.

Google didn't bother to show up in Las Vegas this week for CTIA. AOL was there, as was Yahoo (along with some 1,600 other companies). Both Yahoo and AOL launched new mobile services and were present to demonstrate them and speak to the wireless industry's most important movers and shakers.

Google may not have announced any new mobile products, but it still should have been in Las Vegas. Why? Because it has become a major player in the industry. It offers a host of mobile services. It has announced a brand new mobile operating system (Android), which is a huge undertaking that more than 30 other companies are involved with. It was committed to spending $4.6 billion in the recent spectrum auction. In all, it is playing an increasingly large role in the industry.

I was asked no less than a dozen times by show attendees about Android, where it could be seen, what I think of it, etc. Google's technology partners (Texas Instruments) were here, displaying Android mock-ups. But no Google.

People in the industry are interested in what Google is up to. Google, why not sate their curiosity? What's the line of thinking here? Are you above trade shows? Are you not comfortable out in the public? Do you have agoraphobia?

Any company that is willing to spend $4.6 billion dollars on something like wireless spectrum could at least afford a 10-by-10 booth and some signage.

The CTIA Wireless Entertainment and IT show is scheduled for early September. Google, will you be there?

(BTW, apply this entire argument to Apple, as well.)