MobileUX

My colleague Chris gave a shout out earlier today about Techcrunch’s reported existence of an Android-powered device that will be offered directly from Google. There have been rumors for months about a Google Phone (even hints back when Android itself was first announced many moons ago.)  Now this device from Google hasn’t been officially announced – just tweets from some Google employees who have be using the device, and some rumors at this point.  The early impressions are very positive and the specs do look impressive: thinner than the iPhone, 1Ghz+ Snapdragon processor, unlocked, OLED display, great camera, sound-canceling technology.  This all sounds good, but good specs don’t necessarily make for a good mobile user experience. However, there are a few “features” of this device that stand out and stand to make the Google Phone a game-changer. Here’s why.

First, this is Google’s first hardware entry into the mass market. This puts Google in the position of owning both the software and the hardware, and being able to optimize the user experience.  They of course have to get it right – tight integration of all aspects of the device – but this puts them much more in the Apple and RIM (Blackberry) camp of being able to call the shots on all aspects of the device and how the user interacts with it.  The fast processor will help as well. My experience from owning a G1, and more recently a Motorola Cliq, is that Android needs something fast under the hood to make the screens and interactions move fluidly. Both of my Android devices get bogged down easily from background processes, screen refreshes, and network activity, which make for a painful experience at times. I’m particularly not very fond of the unregistered screen presses and choppy scrolling.

The second “feature” worth noting is that the device is rumored to be sold unlocked by Google itself. What is this a big deal, considering you can already buy many unlocked devices? Several reasons:

• Google will most likely offer an attractive and competitive price point. Google will want to get these devices into many hands, and may be willing to cover the subsidization costs (that the carriers normally absorb). If any of the free (read: company subsidized) products that Google currently offers is any indication, the Google Phone may carry stong price appeal in the market.
• The device-network balance will shift. By buying an unlocked device, you get to choose the device first and then shop for the carrier. This flips the model we are used to in the U.S. where carriers tend to have “exclusives” on mobile devices – subsidized devices in exchange or 1- or 2-year contracts – thus locking the user onto a particular network if they want a particular device. Want an iPhone?  You’re stuck with AT&T.  How about a Palm Pre? Hello Sprint. By putting the device first, you are able to select a carrier that meets your particular needs, be that best nationwide coverage, lowest-cost plans, discounted international calling, etc.
• Carrier contracts may change or (hopefully) go away. If you buy an unlocked phone and can go to any carrier, what will the carrier be locking you into a contract for?  If you are not getting the device subsidized by the carrier, they are really acting as your ISP and providing the data pipe. Aside from startup costs to joining a new carrier like porting your number or activating an account, the whole idea of the Early Termination Fee will become irrelevant.

Oh, and the Google Phone is rumored to have Google Voice included, which allow you to make VoIP calls and bypass many of the services offered by carriers such as visual voicemail, low-cost international rates, and built in SMS messaging – all additional charges by the carriers. Another thorn-in-the-carrier-side and disruptive  (did Apple/AT&T ever get around to approving Google Voice for the iPhone?)

I haven’t heard (beyond speculation) about ad integration.  It would seem that a phone built by Google would naturally integrate advertising (and they did just buy the mobile ad network AdMob.)  Perhaps the device will be free, but will have banner ads in your calendar and music player. Who knows – we will hopefully see soon.

With the Google Phone, I see several wins for users here – the potential user experience win that comes from tight hardware and software integration, and the potential consumer win that comes from changing established models in the wireless industry. These aren’t a given, but we’ve seen boundaries pushed by the introduction of the iPhone – perhaps Google can push them even further.