It's D-Day For Google's GPhone

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by Laurie Petersen, Monday, Nov 5, 2007 6:00 AM ET

IN THE WAKE OF MOUNTING pre-launch news coverage, Google is expected to go public with its Google Phone plans this morning.

The Wall Street Journal reported that an official announcement will come on Monday about details of the phone. Additional reports say Google intends to make software available for different phone carriers that would open up more application development for mobile devices, including its own.

Sunday's New York Times carried a gushing profile by technology writer John Markoff of Andy Rubin, who is overseeing the Google phone and software efforts as director of mobile platforms. Markoff got extraordinary access to Rubin at home and work.

According to the story, Google plans to give away its software to handset makers and then use the Google Phone's openness for software developers and content distributors to design applications for it.

Rubin was creator of the Sidekick, one of the first smartphones to integrate the Web, instant messaging, mail and other PC applications.

Among the wireless carriers already said to be working with Google are Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless.

Google stock, whose price some analysts suggest may surpass $1,000, was trading at $711 after hours on Friday. Laurie Petersen is executive editor of MediaPost. Email her at laurie@mediapost.com