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Google is working with wireless carriers, handset makers, software developers, and hardware providers to prepare an ambitious platform for creating mobile apps
By Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News Service
November 05, 2007
InfoWorld Google negotiators this weekend continue to hammer out agreements with wireless carriers, handset makers, software developers, and hardware providers, as the company prepares to announce on Monday an ambitious platform for creating mobile applications.Although Google has declined to comment for months on its rumored move into the mobile space, sources said the company will make an announcement Monday at 11 a.m. ET, and that details of the plan are being finalized this weekend.
Google will announce an open source development platform for mobile applications that will contain a full set of components, including an operating system, a set of common APIs, a middleware layer, a customizable user interface and even a mobile browser, sources said. Instant messaging standard protocols will also be supported.
The platform is intended to simplify the process of creating and deploying mobile applications, so that an application can be built once and be compatible with multiple phones.
On the partner side, well over 30 industry heavyweights are already on board, including Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Nvidia, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, China Mobile, Telefonica, NTT DoCoMo, LG Electronics, and HTC, the sources said.
With negotiations expected to continue through the weekend and into Monday morning, it's possible that the list could exceed 40 partners. Among those not supporting the announcement at press time are Nokia, Verizon, and Apple.
The development platform will be freely available to anyone who wants to use it, and, aside from a common core, will provide a lot of flexibility for modifications and extensions... Much More Comment in the Forum |
