Just Bought an iPhone 3G? Sucker! Gphone is on the Way!

Monday, July 14th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Just Bought an iPhone 3G? Sucker! Gphone is on the Way!

OK, I’m exaggerating the headline a little–I’m mostly jealous of those of you who’ve snagged a new iPhone–but rumors have resurfaced that Google is in fact working on a "Gphone."

It seems that Google may have deeked us with its launch of Android–which was enough to stop the chatter about an actual Google piece of hardware. From TechCrunch…

But today Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin and CEO Eric Schmidt made nebulous statements that are leaving us wondering if Google is now thinking of building that gPhone: “The trio of Google execs also used the opportunity to talk about the inroads the company is making with its own branded mobile phone as a replacement for the iPhone.”

As Om Malik notes, this isn’t a direct quote but rather a summary of what was said by Hollywood Reporter writer Dan Cox. But a “branded mobile phone” is very different than Google’s Android project. Unless Cox got the summary wrong, the statements were significant.

TechCrunch goes on to claim a "good source" swears Google is working with a mobile phone designer and the the Gphone "is a seriously beautiful device."

Which would you rather own? Take our poll below:

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24 comments on “Just Bought an iPhone 3G? Sucker! Gphone is on the Way!”

Garrett Pierson Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 10:43 am

Personally I didn’t get the iPhone and probably won’t until I see what the GPhone is like and then make a decision. Can’t say I will buy either for a while I am not the early adopter type.

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Seologia Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 10:55 am

Search, Ads, Apps y Mobile Craps.

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Jay Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 11:55 am

Vaporware is always awesome. But the iPhone actually, truly is awesome and it is not only real — it is already in its second iteration. Hmmm…
Jorge R. Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pm

Neo FreeRunner it’s my election. I hope to buy this phone next month.

Jorge R.’s last blog post..5 puntos para crear un sitio web eficaz
Erik Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

The iPhone is a pretty neat device. Very responsive and very Apple. Now with 3G it would seem to have it all.
However, the GPhone is something I’ve been waiting for for a while. Google just knows how to come out with good products. And they have everything to back it up. Except maybe a music player. I personally would wait around to see what the gphone is going to look like.

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Yaj Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pm

I just got a 3G iPhone. It’s truly wonderful. I had my old phone for 5 years, and this is like stepping up from a dead Pinto in to a Ferrari.

I wonder what the Gphone will have on it? They’ll probably some really awesome browsing capabilities. What about the rest of the phone functions? It’ll be interesting to see what they can come up with.

Besides, judging by the way they talk about it, I think it’s still a long way off.
BrenK Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pm

If Apple can co-brand an iPod with the biggest band in the world (U2) – who is to say that something similar isn’t brewing between Google and Apple?
Kathy Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm

Apple and iPhone have burned early adopters HARD in the past. I can’t imagine how furious I would be to have been one of the first to have the latest “must have” tech gadget.

With that said, I’m more likely to consider getting the Gphone over the iPhone just because of the “bad taste” the initial iPhone offering left with me.

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Utah SEO Pro Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pm

I wish the Gphone was out now so I can tell AT&T to go screw themselves and I’d buy the Gphone instead.

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Top Rated Digital Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

Save your money, and get a Nokia N96. Of course if you’d rather pay for form instead of function, go back and play with your shiny new iPhone. Your call.

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PS3 Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

I have the first gen iPhone and am extremely impressed. It is a little on the heavy side but very robust and intuitive, by far the most stable phone I have used for Bluetoothing to my car Parrot for example.

Above all (and yes, very shallow, sorry), everyone who sees it just says “Wow”. Gotta love it!
Alex Isaacs Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 5:59 pm

I hear the iPhone is already a truly wonderful pda. If Google did get into the game they’d have to play catch up. However, offer gPhone on multiple networks and they may be onto something!
Jaan Kanellis Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

Really wish i could get a iPhone on Verizon.

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Nick Stamoulis Says:

July 14th, 2008 at 6:46 pm

The iPhone has lost millions due to the exclusive provider contract with AT+T…Why can’t Verizon have cool phones too?

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Fifty Studio Says:

July 15th, 2008 at 1:33 am

Google needs to stay the heck out of the cell phone business . . . I see what they are trying to do by organizing the world’s info and providing it to you at your finger tips, but they’re going down a path of failure.
Web Marketing Man Says:

July 15th, 2008 at 2:04 am

Google has to overcome a very strong brand in the iPhone, which even has the Japanese aspiring and queing to own one. They got the cash to attempt this, and me for one am really excited about the prospect of some seriously innovative handsets coming from Google.
Tiffany Says:

July 15th, 2008 at 5:28 am

I’m thinking if there any business that Google won’t in?
Filmari Nunti Says:

July 15th, 2008 at 8:10 am

hi guys, the iphone 3g is not wot I expected, I thought v2 would be more advanced. But on the flip side I’m still loving it. My nokia e61 did much more than the iPhone and n95 would do more also. But the iPhone is just such a joy to use I love it
Hamilton Wallace Says:

July 15th, 2008 at 10:18 am

For me it’s a toss up between HTC’s Diamond (due in Sept) or the Gphone. I sometimes am overcome by iPhone lust, but pull out of it by repeating “ATT, ATT, ATT. . .”
Travel Point Says:

July 17th, 2008 at 4:09 am

Why is that Google can never allow anyone else to earn ? Jealous or insecurity at core ?

Travel Point’s last blog post..The Samba of Brazil
Free iPhone 3G Says:

September 8th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

If you ask me the Gphone will probz be one step further to the big G taking over the world =)
poze nunti Says:

January 9th, 2009 at 2:37 pm

Iphone is ok but i still prefer the HTC…

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Kikuyu (only1kiku) Says:

January 20th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

I love my new G1! The biggest selling point for me was that I could not type easily on the iphone and the QWERTY keyboard on the g-phone is fantastic and easy to use. The Anroid market is awesone and totally free (for now). Beats iphone apps handsdown since android developers are allowed to interat with the phone function. I also like the feel of the HTC phone (the maker of the phone hardware). THe down side of HTC is that it won’t accept standard headphones and shipps with a flimsy adapter instead. Sync with a PC can also be improved, but I suspect this aspect will be left to some enterprising developer on the adroid market. There is USB to upload image and audio to the phone. Overall the G1 rocks and who doesn’t want google at their fingertips.
Marietta (love iphone) Frain Says:

February 11th, 2009 at 4:08 am

I recently bougth an Iphone, not a 3G, and I am delighted with my little toy, the only drawback is having to go through the Apple app store to download programs.

Mari

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