Google's disruptive approach to buying a mobile phone
Google recently announced the launch of their new smartphone, which they dubbed a "superphone". The phone is called the Nexus One. The phone is pictured above. The phone itself does not seem to be "wowing" the experts who have held one and run it through the ropes so to speak. The disrupting influence of the phone is not in how it functions, but in how it is being sold. They can be purchased directly from Google online. In their own words via their blog:
Android was developed with one simple idea: Open up mobile devices to enable greater innovation that will benefit users everywhere. Well, today we're pleased to announce a new way for consumers to purchase a mobile phone through a Google hosted web store. The goal of this new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google's online users with selected Android devices. We also want to make the overall user experience simple: a simple purchasing process, simple service plans from operators, simple and worry-free delivery and start-up.
Google created Android, the free open source mobile operating system, a little over a year ago. According to them there are 20 devices with 59 operators in 48 countries and 19 languages. Google believes Android allows devices to be built faster and at a lower cost. It sounds like Google is trying to get a mobile device into every ones hand.
Ultimately I believe Google and Android will accomplish their goals in driving down mobile phone costs and making them available to more and more people. People in many countries all over the world will never access the Internet via a laptop or desktop computer, but they will using a mobile phone.
Until the monopoly wireless carriers have over mobile handsets is broken, there will not be significant change in the way carrier plans are structured. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint will need to be forced to make significant changes in their wireless plans. I think Google's first attempt will at least will put a crack in the foundation that the wireless monopoly rests on. Time will tell.
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