Report: Google Shows Cellphone Prototype, Talks to Operators

Authored by Jay Baage on August 3, 2007 - 3:25am.

New York - Google Inc. has developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal. The company plans offer consumers free subscriptions by bundling advertisements with its search engine, e-mail and Web browser software applications.

In what appears to be an acceleration of Google’s efforts to move into the market for mobile advertising, the company has now reached the stage where it is approaching wireless phone operators and handset makers about it.

The company, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its cellphone project, has approached several wireless operators in the U.S. and Europe in recent months, the Journal reported, citing unnamed sources.

LG Electronics was mentioned as one of the manufacturers to have held talks with Google. The paper further mentioned AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless as a few of the wireless operators Google is courting to carry handsets customized for Google products.

Related Links:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070802/tc_nm/google_wireless_dc_2
http://tinyurl.com/yp366t