Google: “Your mobile phone should be free.”
Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, sees a future where mobile phones are free to consumers who accept watching targeted forms of advertising.
Schmidt said Saturday that as mobile phones become more like handheld computers and consumers spend as much as eight to 10 hours a day talking, texting and using the Web on these devices, advertising becomes a viable form of subsidy.
“Your mobile phone should be free,” Schmidt told Reuters. “It just makes sense that subsidies should increase” as advertising rises on mobile phones.
Google is experimenting with delivering text, brand-image and video ads onto small-screen mobile phones. It is enjoying early success in its strategy to win phone network allies in Japan, where TV viewing and shopping on phones is advanced, he said.
Before you get excited, Google said they have no plans right now to directly give away phones, nor are they aware of any effort by partners such as Nokia, Motorola, or Vodafone to make such a radical move. Via CNN Money
How do you think consumers would take to this idea of ‘free mobile phones’ with ads?
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[…] Remember when we posted about Google’s free ad-based mobile phone idea? Well it looks like Blyk will beat them to it. Marko Ahtisaari who is former Director of Design Strategy at Nokia, is now Blyk’s head of Brand and Design. “Blyk is a pan-European free mobile operator for young people, funded by advertising. We’re launching first in the UK market in mid-2007, with other markets to follow.Blyk is an innovative mobile media channel for advertisers. We offer brands an opportunity for direct engagement with a young audience with real-time feedback.” […]
November 20th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
[…] This is all coming together after Google CEO Eric Schmidt made this comment: “Your mobile phone should be free,” in November 2006. But Google isn’t the only one developing the idea of an ad-supported mobile phone, the UK-based Blyk said they would have one out by now, but has seen some delays. Who will get there first? And does it even matter since Google’s already well anchored in the consumer market? Related Posts Google Earth Updates and ImprovementsGoogle: Mobile Live Traffic UpdatesGoogle doing face recognition in Image Search right nowGoogle Desktop released for OS XHand Picked LinksGoogle: “Your mobile phone should be free.” Subscribe […]
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
So, if Google launches a TV channel, will they be giving away free TV sets subsidised by Google showing adverts?
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
“Your mobile phone should be free,” Schmidt told Reuters. “It just makes sense that subsidies should increase” as advertising rises on mobile phones.
I have to agree with this, the mobile phone companies have been gouging us too long.
Steve
December 11th, 2007 at 11:50 am