If the reports are true this week that Google's rumored GPhone isn't a handset after all but a mobile operating system instead, then the company's recent mobile-related acquisitions start to make some sense.
- October 2007 - Jaiku
- September 2007 - Zingku
- July 2007 - Grand Central
- August 2005 - Android
- May 2005 - Dodgeball
Google said on the Jaiku acquisition Q&A: "Activity streams and mobile presence are important areas where we believe Google can add a lot of value for users. Jaiku's technology and talented team are a great addition to Google's current application and mobile teams."
Could they still surprise everyone and come out with a handset? Possibly. But I think the key takeaway here is the market segment. Content and advertising (Google's secret weapon in all this, according to TechCrunch) are headed for mobile devices. Perhaps even free ad-subsidized phones. After all, Google CEO Eric Schmidt did tell Reuters last year, "Your mobile phone should be free."
Hmm, a free platform to sell advertising from. Now where have we seen that before?
