Commentary

ZunePhone-Killers on Hold

For all of those folks who waited breathlessly for news about the Google Phone — and we’re guessing it’s largely that segment of the populace who bought Google at $700 a share — the announcement that there was, in fact, no handset being developed in conjunction with the effort and that it was simply a new Linux-based, open software platform called Android (pleasantly Orwellian-sounding) must have caused a moment or two of consternation. But only a moment or two. Then it was back to the pursuit of Google’s market capitalization reaching a trillion dollars.

Pundits lauded the announcement, saying that it would revolutionize the cell phone business. Analysts predicted Google’s stock price will hit $850 next year and wondered if there is a better rating than “outperform.” Verizon and AT&T, the two biggest U.S. cell phone service providers, were unmoved. But Google has ads and it seems the only place left to put them is in your pocket. Ignore the feeling that Google might be getting too powerful. Ignore the notion that Google will soon know more about you than your mother. And embrace the fact that Google may very soon be worth a googol.

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