Google Grabs Next Foothold

Google's(GOOG Quote) deal with Clearwire(CLWR Quote) is a big win for the search giant, but mostly because it sets the stage for much bigger things to come.

On Tuesday, wireless broadband provider Clearwire announced a partnership with Google that would incorporate the search giant's applications, including Mail, Calendar and Talk into Clearwire's wireless Web platform.

Under the agreement, Google will power some of the Web infrastructure that Clearwire customers will use, while Clearwire will control the look and feel of the interface. ...