Google has finally realized that the number of Android smartphones on the market is growing too rapidly, and as such, it is getting a bit confusing for the consumers who are interested in getting an Android smartphone.
Choosing a suitable Android phone might be tough when presented with all the options currently available in the market. To solve this, Google has launched its Google Phone Gallery at www.google.com/phone, formerly Google’s storefront for the Nexus One. This portal highlights various Android phones from manufacturers such as Motorola, HTC, and Samsung and also contains their specs for ease of comparison.
You can treat the gallery as a showcase for Android phones or rather Android phones that have been “Google certified”. Any phone featured in the gallery has Android Market, Google Search, and other Google Mobile services such as Gmail, Maps, and YouTube. Furthermore, if there is a "with Google" logo displayed beside an Android phone, it implies that the phone has been optimized for the use of Google mobile services, providing easy access to Search, Voice Search, Google Talk, Google Maps, Gmail, Sync, YouTube and Android Market (where available).
Users of this portal can also limit the smartphones listed by manufacturer or operator. There’s also a country option, so you can also filter phones that are only available in your market.
The amount of information available for each phone is substantial, and it’s broken down into:
- Availability and Networks
- Battery
- Storage and Memory
- Connectivity
- Android Versions
- Size and Weight
- Display
- Hardware
- Camera
With the above information, you can compare up to three handsets before making the final choice as to which you want to go with
So what are the ramifications of the release of the Google Phone Gallery now?
Firstly, it's a sign that Android is here to stay and a serious player in the mobile smartphone domain. The Google Phone Gallery shows 22 phones of different price ranges and features for all kinds of users. It's a marked difference from Apple, RIM, or Palm, whose offerings are meager in comparison (especially when you know several still aren't on the list.).
Secondly, it provides an overview on the huge variety of Android Handsets available in the market now. People want to figure out the best Android phone to buy, and with so much choice, they need help. Business owners and consumers comb reviews, compare specs, and comparison shop online just to find that specific Android smartphone that they require.
Thirdly, it ties Google to the Android Platform. There might be a few people out there who don't know that Google's responsible for the Android platform, but maybe now the two will be tied together in the public's mind. In this respect, it allows Google to officially endorse any new phone that is launched with Android in the future. It's a testament to Google's power that it can easily provide a consumer information site as well as the world's leading search engine.
The Google Phone Gallery is not complete yet, but will be updated on a regular basis to keep up with the changing mobile market. I would have liked to see some consumer reviews, but on the other hand, we have more than enough sites providing thorough phone reviews of all the Android handsets.
I’m glad to see that Google has taken the initiative to provide an official gallery of most of the Android phones available in the market nowadays. One of the most important feature, albeit a small one, is the ability to filter Android smartphones that are available in your own country. For those users that are planning their next phone upgrade or wondering whether to continue with their carrier, this can be a good source of reference for them. It will be interesting to see how the Gallery evolves - perhaps a precursor to Google becoming the next Amazon.com?
