Motorola to integrate Google into future phones

Motorola CEO Ed Zander brought out an old pal at CES — Google CEO Eric Schmidt (the two worked together at Sun) — to announce a new partnership to integrate Google functionality into future handsets. Yes, we know you can get into Google from pretty much any phone that has even basic internet access, and Google has done a reasonable job of creating mobile versions of its services. But Moto actually plans to add a Google button to future handsets, something that will definitely raise the search giant's profile among mobile users — though we doubt it's going to be a major selling point for cellphone buyers. (Oh, and we did get a kick out of Zander ribbing Schmidt about his massive Google-driven wealth, and Schmidt — clearly still the boss, as far as he's concerned — hitting back with "that's not OK, Ed," when Zander stepped over the line.)

[gaia @ Jan 6th 2006 9:38AM]

i have google earth on my mobile and it's been very helpful. i don't like to carry a laptop all the time & i'm too cheap to call 411. it's a little slow but very accurate. better than mapquest or yahoo maps.

[Ryan @ Jan 6th 2006 10:47AM]

It's just an extra button for easier access to Google. What would be cool is something like Google Desktop that can search inside your phone book, text messages etc.

[Dissent @ Jan 6th 2006 11:24AM]

Yeah, i guess that $600 price target for google isnt so far off now.

[David @ Jan 6th 2006 12:34PM]

This would be great. for now I use the Google text message search to get addresses, movie times, definitions, etc.



Just send your search terms to GOOGL (46645). http://www.google.com/sms/

[Matt @ Jan 6th 2006 1:21PM]

Seeing that Moto can't build a UI that makes any sense, soon their phone will be covered with thousands of buttons for each of their revenue generating features. Like Hello Kitty wallpaper and Silver Chair ringtones tones.