WHO WANTS FREE PHONE SUBSCRIPTIONS?

Google, the king of the internet, is supposedly working to gain dominion of the wireless phone business via its GPhone, which it will make available to consumers within a year.

The long-rumored phone has been speculated for some time in various forum but gained renewed credence by a Wall Street Journal report last week.



The WSJ report read in parts:

...A Google spokesman yesterday declined to comment on a Google phone project, but noted: "We are partnering with almost all of the carriers and manufacturers to get Google search and other Google applications onto their devices and networks.

...It (Google) has developed prototype handsets, made overtures to operators such as T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, and talked over technical specifications with phone manufacturers.

Apparently those who've seen Google's prototype say its not as revolutionary as the iPhone. But really, the earthshaking news is Google's plan to offer the phone on a free-subscription basis.

The Rumored G-Phone at a glance:

- Free subscription.
- Advertising supported.
- Large color screen with a predictive Qwerty keypad to simplify Google searching.
- Linux-based OS.
- Backed by Texas Instruments "Edge" chipset.
- Powered by new mobile browser.
- Bundled with Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Utube apps and more!
- Optional: Turn off ads by getting paid subscription.

In the near future, Google is said to be also planning to become a wireless phone provider and who knows what else. Okay let's speculate some more. How does the prospect of Google TV or Google Dollar sound to you? Or yes, why not the first ever corporate-nation called Google Republic?

In the meantime, Google's move will certainly elicit resistance and counter moves by its competitors. Would others follow suite and bundle free phone subscriptions with sponsored vacations? Some have already expressed apprehensions that consumers will likely shy away from sponsored phone calls. Imagine hearing commercial plugs before an actual call. Imagine emergency calls preceded by targeted ads like "this call is brought to you by, XYZ Life Insurance, your safety is our concern..." hmmm, I don't know. At least ads would be a deterrent against overuse of the service.

So, who wants to get a free Google Phone?