Google Plans Free, Open Source Mobile Phone Operating System

Google's interest in mobile phones has been obvious for some while now. Rumors on the Gphone's development have been going by for some time now. Despite the hints aiming towards a close release, the device has yet to hit the market.

In the meanwhile, Google is making small steps towards a good strategy on their approach for the mobile phone environment. They have some tough competition out there to face, including Apple's iPhone. In order to handle this situation in the best way, the company has also put up USD 4.6 Billion for buying a mobile phone network.

Google developers also took into consideration the release of "open applications" that would allow users to download and use any type of software on their handsets. Moreover, they also considered the introduction of "open networks" that would allow users to choose their network depending on what suits their needs best under some conditions. Not everybody was happy at the thought, although it might still be far from becoming real.

It looks like Google is now making efforts to develop an operating system for mobile phones, but an open-source Linux software one that would give a great amount of freedom to the users and developers as well. Windows Mobile must not be happy at the thought, especially as this means one more step forward for Linux in the mobile environment.

Most surprisingly, analysts state that Google is interested only in developing the software and not actually bringing out a phone of their own. They are, indeed, testing the technology on prototypes, but have no intention to bring them out on the market. Because of this, Google makes a strong competitor to Windows Mobile and not to Apple, Nokia or any other handset manufacturers.

The result of Google's work on the new operating system should be that of loosening the control of carriers over the software and services that their subscribers are allowed to use in their networks. Neither carriers, nor Google have made official statements on the possibility of having a new free, open source operating system out there from the search engine, although it's pretty clear that something is going on, indeed.