The biggest let down of Google’s announcement is not in the substance of their offering. Opening an API to developers and handset manufacturers in the hope of establishing a better phone OS and application environment is correct and proper for a company of Google’s ubiquity and technical prowess … but where the world got a little underwhelmed is in the false hope that Google would release some advertising subsidized “free-phone” and chop the legs out from underneath the dickhead carriers with their indentured servitude calling plans, onerous SMS charges, and locked phones.
Not happening in this round. Just an effort to undo the WAP, Symbian, DoCoMo, PocketPC, Palm mess and rally the little screen around something appropriately Googlish.
Google’s doing what they need to do, enable their content regardless of device and medium. They are not interested in saving poor customers from lousy Carriers, they want to make money through their proven monetizing method. Surprising? not. Disappointing? most certainly.