GPhone Heralds Personalized Mass Media

Technology and the communications sector continue their spectacular collision morphing both new technologies and applications at a rapid rate.  Current trends indicate a continual migrating away from the traditional, proprietary, walled-garden approach of wireless networks towards an open source opportunity to use the mobile Web as freely as we do our personal computers.

Google has been working with handset makers to get Google's maps, mail and other applications on mobile phones.  This year, the news of an actual Google Phone (gPhone), following the introduction of Apple's iPhone, was released.  Google's development of phones will mean it is likely moving into position for a potential bid for licenses on the wireless spectrum, providing the US with a fifth nationwide wireless network. Thus, the next generation of wireless networks will likely be more Internet friendly and Internet-like.   

The electronic evidence of a computer user's activity becomes what's called their digital footprint (not to be confused with digital identity).  Obviously, if Google could move its search applications and other content onto mobile phones, it could command premium prices for ultra-personalized advertising using digital footprinting to track user's preferences.  And in spite of Google's big brotherly presence in our lives, most individuals would prefer personalized, targeted advertising over generic.