Google goes mobile

Google had a busy week last week.

Other than tanking their stock, Google have gone public with their mobile strategy. They have clearly decided that a great new way to drive revenues and earnings in the future is to go mobile. Der, yeah.

But look a little closer and you realise that they aren'y just talking mobile (as everyone else is), but they are also investing heavily and making strides.

Most interesting of all is a deal with SonyEricsson to launch mobile phones together that are hot-wired for Google services such as search, blogging and news. Nice one! At the same time Google have announced a few deals, including with Vodafone, to embed Google search into their walled garden services (for Vodafone it's Vodafone Live).

They need to move like lightning to secure more partnerships with leading operators before they launch their own mobile search services. Some operators will want to shut Google out of their subscriber base.

But Google plan to add some real value. They will filter sites for their ability to be presented on small mobile screens, and lots could be free as they will try and generate revenues through mobile ads. About time too!

But, charging meachanisms will depend on which market they are serving. Lets hope Google don't fall into the ugly pit that mobile operators are worldwide by charging users for too many of their data services. Keep it low cost for the consumer or mobile data services will always be small fry.