Google's Android Preview Mind-Blowing

Gphone? Android phones? Is there a difference?

When I asked Google (GOOG Quote) whether we'd see a Gphone this year, the response was that we would see "Android-based "phones in 2008. Splitting hairs? Maybe. But, in the end, it really doesn't matter, because the recent Android preview was pretty mind boggling.

Late last week, Google held its Google I/O developer's conference, where the Android phone was demonstrated. You can actually see a portion of Google Engineering Director Steve Horowitz's presentation here.

Mr. Horowitz proudly described some of the many interesting features on upcoming Android-based phones -- some of which even surprised me, even though I knew that many popular Google programs for the PC will also be available on Android.

Once again, Android is a complete mobile operating system, or platform, for cell phones and other mobile/wireless devices. Google is developing the system and giving it away to manufacturers in return for allowing Google to place advertisements in Android mobile programs.

Android can (and will) be able to be scaled to many different devices. For instance, on lower-priced handsets, Android may allow users to make phone calls, send POP/IMAP email and SMS messages and maybe take photos with a built-in camera.

Android smartphones could add 3G (or faster) data speeds, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, video, Web browsing, a music player, GPS and lots more. The final decision on included features would be made by cell-phone manufacturers -- not the creator of the operating system. That's the exact opposite of mobile business plans used by Research In Motion (RIMM Quote) (BlackBerry), Microsoft (MSFT Quote) (Windows Mobile) and Apple (AAPL Quote) (OS X). RIM and Apple actually design their own handsets.