Google has touched on various niches in the technology industry ranging from applications to mobile devices. But compared to Apple, there is one thing that separates both – Google partners with mobile companies while Apple actually creates and designs its own.
All that could change before 2016 ends with word that the search engine giant is in talks with mobile operators with regards to coming up with a Google-branded phone, The Telegraph reports. It will be something different from the company’s collaboration with LG or Huawei (with reference to the Nexus brands).
Ambitious but doable
Seeing how crowded the smartphone market is right now, Google could be taking a big risk with the move. Considering they are the ones behind the Android operating system, they could be headed on a collision course with Samsung and some of their partners (LG and Huawei).
Then again, a Google phone together with their own Android OS can set restrictions. That includes full control of the software and maximizing other resources that include Google search and the Play app store.
“They are concerned that Android is fragmenting, that it needs to become a more controlled platform,” said Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight. “I think they’ll seek to control it more, more like Apple.”
Conflict of interest?
Assuming that Google does come out with their own phone, focus would be on how it would affect hardware makers. Limiting or shutting them out may not be a good idea.
The reason behind that is Android enjoys 80% of the mobile OS market share globally according to Gartner, meaning manufacturers can customize and market products with tweaks on price, language and other regional preferences.
From afar, Google’s plans are ambitious so it will be interesting how their own phone version will perform. If the word is true that it will come out this year, it may all boil down to the benefits and features that users can look forward to.
