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For years now, Google has been slowly releasing mobile app after mobile app as they enter into the mobile sector.  It seems odd that a company of this size would continue to rely on companies such as Microsoft, Palm, and Apple for stability of its applications on their Operating Systems (OS).  That’s why many of us here at Gadgetell feel Google’s big announcement coming “within the next two weeks” will be - you guessed it - a Mobile Operating System.  We’ve put together what we believe to be their angle of attack and a list of supporting details for our claims, and will likely be adding to the list as we stumble across more.

What Gadgetell believes Google is doing now:

• Signing up carriers to use their new operating system (OS).
• The carriers need a new OS in response to iPhones thrashing of the MS Mobile.  MS’s shortcomings are an embarrassment.  A new OS is completed for the carriers and they didn’t have to come up with it, or pay for it./ manufacturers - they can focus on the hardware
• Google will gives the carriers a cut of Mobile ad revenue to use their OS (currently the carriers buy it from Microsoft)
• All Google aps (the Office replacement, email, and many more surprises)will be optimized for the OS
• Google is bound to reinvent Microsoft Exchange / Blackberry push email - Their release of the Gmail IMAP protocol is a baby-step in this direction.
• Will take the Google iPhone Apps one step further.  They look good now on the iPhone, imagine how good they could look if they were software apps, and not web apps.
• We believe VOIP, visual voicemail, and constant web access will play an important role out of the gate.

Here is why we believe it:

• The company is focusing way more attention on mobile phones and mobile optimization with the new Gmail mobile version, and the new version of Google Maps for Mobile.  Just like the new Gmail app, the Google OS can and would be faster, better, and more optimized for their apps.
• We are hearing that Google is working with more than one carrier, so a new OS makes sense rather than hardware.  After all, we know very well how carriers hate sharing a new technology / device with other carriers.
• Google knows that search is going mobile, so why not control the mobile space?  According to Brian Caulfield’s article over at Forbes, “New Jersey-based market researcher Kelsey Group figures mobile-search advertising in the United States alone will grow to $1.4 billion in 2012 from $33.2 million this year.“  That’s $1.4 billion compared to the dinky $500 million that Microsoft makes off of mobile software.
• GOOG’s shares have risen $90 in just 20 days.  An announcement is imminent.  The market always knows when something is up - and lets be honest - something IS up.
• According to the same report from Caulfield, “Google will build all that software into a smart phone built by Taiwanese handset specialist HTC, according to a source familiar with the matter.“  This is clearly pointing to an OS as well.
• The company’s stock started rising from $512 on September 12, 2007 to the current price of about $710 (at the time of this post).  So what was going on that led to such a dramatic increase in stock price?  Google held an event on “Mobile Advertising” on campus at $30 a head.  From there, the stock gained $200 or 30% to date.  Really, it shoots up at 45 deg angle.

Supporting Acquisitions

• Back in 2005, Google bought Android, picking up Danger OS co-founder Andy Rubin.  Danger OS is owned by Danger, Inc, and is the Operating System that runs on T-Mobile’s Sidekick line of smart phones.
• Also back in 2005, Google acquired Dodgeball, which they have yet to do anything with.  This technology could allow Google to create a web of mobile phones, similar to a Peer to Peer / P2P and social network.
• Google announced back in July 2007 their acquisition of GrandCentral Communications, a company that provides services for “managing your voice communications,“ and allows you to receive phone calls on any of your phones.  All you have to do is give them your phone numbers, they give you a phone number, and like magic, all of your phones ring when you get a call.  You can also set it up to ring all, some, or none of your phones, based on who’s calling.  This once again proves the commitment to mobile apps.
• Google announced in October that it has acquired Jaiku.  According to the Jaiku website, “Jaiku is an activity stream and presence sharing service that works from the Web and mobile phones.“  So basically, they allow Google to become social.  Jaiku is similar to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, IM, and anything else that allows you to connect with others… all bundled into a neat little package.In Google’s Jaiku FAQ section, they mention the following: “While it’s too soon to comment on specific products and development plans, we’ll be working with the Jaiku team over the coming months to expand their technology in ways we hope you’ll find interesting and useful. Check back in a few months to see what we’ve developed.“
• Google announced back in September their acquisition of another mobile social network, Zingku.
• Google (among others) recently invested in the company Ubiquisys to bring their B-round total up to $25 million. The company’s primary product is The ZoneGate femtocell, which is a “small ‘zero-touch’ plug-and-play device that plugs into a home broadband connection and provides high-quality 3G coverage in the home. Unlike WiFi, ZoneGate allows people to use their usual 3G cell phones to access services. ZoneGate means excellent mobile coverage at landline rates and allows mobile carriers to deliver innovative new services right where their customers need them - in their homes.“  VOIP.

So at the end of the day, Google looks to be prepping Cell Phone 2.0.  More than just an OS, it will interact with us in new ways like VOIP, allow your phone to find you via presence no matter where you are or how best to contact you.  You’ll always be connected to the net, and thus to your information.  This is just another step for Google in doing what they do best: selling ad space.  And giving us reasons to jump at the chance to have ad space sold to us.

Story compiled by JG Mason and Doug Berger.

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