Google is rumored to be making its own Android phone with some pretty beefy specs…but it might not be a phone in the traditional sense. TechCrunch’s sources have told it that the phone will be data only and use VoIP for calling. The site’s Michael Arrington said:
The Google Phone may be a data only, VoIP driven device. And Google may be lining up at least AT&T to provide those data services for the Google Phone, says one person we spoke with today.
Users could still make calls just like a normal phone, of course. The calls would just be over the data service instead. In fact, this is the exact vision Google proposed back in 2007 when they were bidding on the FCC auctions for the 700MHz spectrum.
Presumably, the phone will use Google Voice to handle calls, but the service would have to change to work with a data-only phone. Right now, Google Voice still calls a local number for the “last mile” connection before handing off to VoIP.
While I’m still interested in this handset, being data only limits its appeal. Consumers with poor 3G coverage will likely have problems using Google’s Android phone to make calls. Mobile VoIP over 2G can be pretty poor. Arrington’s source is from AT&T, which has pretty shoddy 3G coverage. Would a data-only phone be feasible for that network? Will the phone have different radios to support other carriers? I’m curious to see how this rumored product pans out.
Interesting. I wonder what kind of data cap and charge for the data ATT or whoever would impose on the device?
@Smartguy That's a huge kicker right there. Most companies are using 5GB, which wouldn't cut the mustard for people that talk and browse a lot.
Definitely. I know SMS data is next to nothing, hell it rides on the back of other data it's so small…but when the phone is relying on the data connection for everything….I don't think 5GB will cut it. We'll see what Google cooks up. I really hope this becomes a thorn and model buster for the wireless industry. I know I seem like an old school person when it comes to let businesses do what they want, but times are different and the free flow of information shouldn't be hindered.
If the phone is VoIP, then the service provider doesn't have to "waist resources" on normal voice networks. Of course that isn't how they will spend it. I'd like to see everything distributed through the internet. Then, cable companies don't have to have 500+ stations broadcasted at one time or anything like that. You would have one channel at a time broadcasted which would solve their bandwidth "issues" and allow them to give accurate marketing data on what shows are viewed the most. But hey, this economy wasn't formed on logic.