The “Google Phone” Will Be Free
I wonder why these words haven’t come back to haunt Google. There is much speculation on the “Google Phone” pricing, but nobody has brought up this three year old quote:
Schmidt said on Saturday that as mobile phones become more like handheld computers and consumers spend as much as eight to 10 hours a day talking, texting and using the Web on these devices, advertising becomes a viable form of subsidy.
“Your mobile phone should be free,” Schmidt told Reuters. “It just makes sense that subsidies should increase” as advertising rises on mobile phones.
[via Reuters 11/11/2006]
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I suspect that I would not be alone in being prepared to pay for my ‘phone just to be free o the advertising. Which shows you the true worth of much current advertising.
Of course Google, wishing to do no evil, couldn’t possibly be thinking of using the personal information they have accumulated about us to target advertising, could they? …
The ethics of such enterprises will have them walking a very fine line if ever we *do* get free ‘phones.
I do doubt the "Google" phone will be free, but the hardware cost will continue to be driven down and carrier subsidies will eventually cover it. It's just odd that Schmidt's comments were never brought up by anyone.
I think this is for advertising for this phone. but lets see!!