Verizon Wireless said Wednesday it would join an open-source software group that rivals Google's mighty Android coalition—yet another reason 2008 will go down in history as a critical moment in the evolution of how we use mobile phones.

Verizon became the first U.S. wireless carrier to join what's called the LiMo Foundation, a group of companies pushing to create an open Linux-based operating system for wireless products. The now 40-member group also includes phonemakers Motorola Inc., Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.

The LiMo software will be on phones sold at Verizon stores starting next year, an executive for the carrier told The Associated Press. Verizon also will continue to sell phones running other operating systems found on several of the carrier's smart phones.

Full article: chicagotribune.com 

Labels: Android, LiMo, Verizon, wireless

Google is pitching its vaunted Gphone to Verizon Wireless, but the odds are still against the search giant striking a major deal with the second largest phone company in the U.S.

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters reported Tuesday evening that Google is in "serious discussions" with Verizon Wireless to put its mobile "GPhone" software on Verizon phones.

For months, people have been speculating about the rumored Google "GPhone." Most people believe that it's not a specific phone, but is more likely an operating system or software that integrates many of Google's mobile services, like Web search, Gmail, Youtube, and Google Maps, onto phones made by existing handset makers. But more than simply integrating Google services onto handsets, the new Google mobile OS is believed to be an open platform on which application developers would have free reign to develop a slew of new applications and services.

The WSJ said in an earlier article published Monday that Asian cell phone makers HTC and LG Electronics will be the first two handset makers to use the software.

Full article: news.com 

Labels: Google Phone, Gphone, mobile, phone, Verizon

July 23 (Bloomberg) -- Google Inc., escalating a battle with AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, may team up with smaller mobile- phone service providers to create its own multibillion-dollar network.

The company, owner of the world's most popular Internet search engine, may bid at least $4.6 billion for wireless airwaves in a federal auction. Rather than use that spectrum to create its own network, Google is more likely to enlist the help of existing carriers, said Chris Sacca, head of special projects.

Read more: bloomberg.com 

Labels: ATT, Verizon, wireless