Google Phone – vs. iPhone or vs. Windows Mobile?

Google Phone — Gphone — will be a useful product, but will carriers have this phone because it’s useful? Or just because it’s good competition to the iPhone? Or perhaps another reason altogether?

Google doesn’t make phones. They have made a few mobile applications. My prediction: Google is competing with Microsoft here. The Gphone will not reach the “cool” market that the iPhone has targeted and succeeded with in the past. Microsoft has tried and succeeded in certain markets for years with their mobile OS to do what Google (presumably) is trying to do. I believe both companies (GOOG and MSFT) are approaching the product from the same frame.

Google’s products have OK design. Take Google’s search engine–it’s simple. KISS rules (Keep it Simple Stupid). And yes, gmail is pretty good too, but there are still times where I am confused by the interface–sometimes the flat boring colors are just that–flat and boring.

Apple is the behemoth of Industrial Design, and I highly doubt Samsung+Google+Verizon, or some other permutation of companies will be able to compete easily with Apple’s iPhone. Key word here: easily. Perhaps they’ll be battling the iPhone, but I doubt it.

In short: Gphone is battling Windows Mobile–not the iPhone.

Tech Crunch coverage
GigaOM Gphone Coverage