LG seals Google deal LG Electronics Co. Ltd. announced it will install Google Inc.’s software for cellphones on “millions” of LG phones through a new partnership between the two companies. The agreement is the latest such handset deal for Google, which has inked similar announcements with Motorola Inc., Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications L.P. and others. “Building on our efforts to set new standards for wireless handsets, we are excited to partner with Google to offer extra value to consumers with enhanced mobile Internet experiences,” said Paul Bae, an LG VP. “LG’s mobile devices, combined with Google, will provide consumers with easy access to their favorite Internet services even without a PC and make it easy for them to stay connected while in motion.” LG said it would install Google’s Maps, Gmail and Blogger Mobile applications on its phones. http://www.rcrnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070328/FREE/70328005/1015
That is good news. Hopefully Verizon will have some phones that support this. Also, hopefully Google Maps will allow you to see your current location if you have GPS enabled on your phone.
This is pretty interesting, considering all the trouble that I and others have had with Google Maps on Cingular phones, in my case the LG CU500. Doesn't LG need to deal with the service providers as well as the handset manufacturers? As I understand it, the manufacturers are supportive of anything that makes their devices more attractive/useful. They obviously want people to buy a new phone. Service providers want to protect/enhance their revenue stream, which may not include free services where Google gets the ad revenue but they don't. SW
