The idea is that Google is actually considering building and operating a wireless network that would provide consumers an option that is faster and cheaper than the AT&T’s and Verizon’s. But, of course, this news comes with all the standard disclaimers revolving around the fact that it’s too early to tell what the search giant will really do.

The dates to watch: December 3 and then later in January. The first date being when Google has to officially state its intent to bid for cellphone airwaves via an auction hosted by the FCC, and the second date being the actual date of the auction. Google may still partner with other companies, but the company is preparing an option whereby it would buy the space on its own. The number being thrown out currently (that is, money Google is reserving for this) is $4.6 billion or more.

A Google spokesperson was quoted using fairly generic rhetoric, “Our goal is to make sure that American consumers have more choices in an open and competitive wireless world.” But then more sources were used to explain that if your cellphone service were to be with Google, the company would provide you a way to use any cellphone or application you’d like, plus an easy way to switch carriers.

Although, some are skeptical as to how Google could handle consumers in the real world. As popular as Google is, it’s not really for any customer service reasons. Need help with a popular Google service like Gmail or Picasa? Google points you to a discussion forum and has no direct email support, let alone phone support. Perhaps Google needs to test a customer service infrastructure alongside its new mini-cellphone network…

This is really only news if you’re a developer. As for what this means for technology consumers specifically, see below for a compilation of the most relevant and interesting quotes surrounding the latest news of the pseudo-Gphone:

NYTimes: “[Google's] ultimate goal is to cash in on the effort by selling advertisements to mobile phone users, just as it does on Internet-connected computers.”

WSJ: “At the core, Google is betting that easier consumer access to Internet services from their mobile phones will lead consumers to use its services more—which has been the case with Web access on the personal computer.”

NYTimes: “Users would have the ability to load up their phones with new features and third-party programs.”

Engadget (commenter named Carlos): “Open Source is great and all for developers but very few open source programs receive the polished look consumers are expecting. Without one company pushing for a complete polished package I have a feeling this will turn into something like the Ubuntu OS project. A sort of Mobile OS for tech hobbyist. ”

WSJ Blog: “Google hopes its new operating system will turn phones into mini computers that are just as useful as PCs… Google’s operating system is open, meaning anyone can write software for it. That includes bad guys, who will doubtlessly develop viruses and other malicious code for these phones, which unsuspecting Google phones owners will download… The way to combat this is to develop anti-virus and anti-malware software for phones and to develop security procedures similar to those that have evolved for PCs over the last several years.”

GigaOm: “Google says it’s open source, letting you download it and do whatever — except that carriers can create their own locked-down versions of the software…”

WSJ Blog: “if Google succeeds, there’s going to be some really cool software for phones. Most of it will be targeted to consumers – things like social-networking or online-shopping software.”

See chart below for more of what consumers can expect as this technology progresses; it comes from this WSJ article (Google’s PR machine doesn’t have to do much to get one story covered multiple times per publication). For comprehensive coverage, see Techmeme’s insanely long listing of news and blogs that are covering the announcement.

This wouldn’t be a bad entry into the market, as Verizon is the No. 2 carrier, and Sprint is the No. 3 carrier (in the U.S. by subscribers). And let’s not forget that Google has loads of cash right now (not to mention a stock that’s about to hit $700). The speculation is that this partnership might allow the big bad cellphone companies to offer cheaper phones, since Google’s licensing fees (for its software and operating system) are probably going to be lower than the industry standard. The search giant is more likely to cash in on cellphone advertising when/if it becomes the next big thing (or so shareholders are hoping by paying that inflated price for the stock).

But since the phones would be open to third party application development, Google is still working out the details on how it will protect cellphone consumers within the context of privacy and security. The other detail being worked on is the advertising itself. Just because wireless carriers will likely be paying a much smaller licensing fee to Google (versus the other alternatives already out there) doesn’t mean they don’t want a piece of the cellphone advertising pie. And how will the consumer react to cellphone advertising? These are all questions currently being pondered by executives in large conference rooms.

An interesting side story is the fact that Verizon and Google were recently fighting a battle in Washington over whether wireless carriers should open up their networks. Verizon was in the process of trying to overturn certain new rules the FCC agreed to because of Google. But last week Verizon dropped its appeal. While a spokesman for Verizon said there was no link between the lawsuit dropped and discussions with Google, well, it does seem like a coincidence that the two companies are now playing nice in the sandbox…

For previous coverage of the Gphone, see here, here, and here.

*Update* Some are saying the iPhone is the reason Google & Verizon may be interested in reconciling their differences and becoming the best of friends.

Note: This article is cross-posted at BobCaswell.com.

This new cell phone company will make a great match with the gPhone and other prepaid cell phones on these cell phone plans.  Choose which calling plan you need today!

                                                    
The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) is quoting “people familiar with the matter” in stating that within two weeks Google will announce plans to bring Google-powered phones to market by the middle of next year. Apparently, Google’s goal is “[T]o make applications and services as accessible on cellphones as they are on the Internet.”

But resistance from wireless carriers is still mounting, and Google won’t win this battle without a fight. Right now, most consumers are locked into using whatever phones and services are provided by their cellphone provider (which is exactly where cellphone providers want their customers). Google is hoping to change that by releasing phones that are “open.”

Google-powered phones will come already configured with a bundle of the most popular Google services, such Google search, Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail. But that would just be the beginning. The idea would be to stimulate a community of independent software developers that have the necessary tools to build additional phone features.

As the article states, “Developers could, for instance, more easily create services that take advantage of users’ Global Positioning System location, contact lists and Web-browsing habits. They would also be able to interact with Google Maps and other Google applications. The idea is that a range of new social networking, mapping and other services would emerge, just as they have on the open, mostly unfettered Web.”

Of course, the concept of “open” phones has its downside too. Just like spam and phishing are rampant on the open web, their next prey may be open phone consumers. Regardless, I’m willing to take my chances. Here’s hoping Google can pull this off.

See our previous Gphone coverage here and here.

*Update* Even More Gphone News: Google in Advanced Talks with Verizon & Sprint

*Update 2* Google to Announce Phone Plans Monday

*Update 3* Gphone Plans Announced, What the “Gphone” Means for Consumers

Note: This article is cross-posted at BobCaswell.com.

Our cell phone company will support the gPhone when it arrives along with these prepaid cell phones on our cell phone plans.  Find a calling plan that’s right for you today!