The New York Times has a story today about Google’s mobile phone strategy. According to the story, Google plans to distribute an operating system for mobile devices based on Linux. Google already offers some mobile versions of applications such as mobile search and map software.
Google is not expected to make its own phone, despite having built prototypes to test software and demonstrate the technology to manufacturers.
Google wants to extend its dominance of online advertising to the mobile Internet, a small market today, but one that is expected to grow rapidly. It hopes to persuade wireless carriers and mobile phone makers to offer phones based on its software, according to people briefed on the project.
The story suggests that smaller carriers may be most receptive to Google as a competitive differentiator, although Google’s push for open networks and net neutrality suggests that the company may be seeking an even bigger piece of the pie.