It’s not like Dan Hesse was talking bad about Eric Schmidt’s mama. But maybe he was a bit disrespectful of the Google CEO’s new baby.
Indeed, techno scribes are trying to create a bit of a kerfuffle between Hesse, Sprint’s CEO, and Google.
Hesse included a few words about Google’s new Android system for cell phones among an hour-long presentation last week at the National Press Club.
“Sprint is a member of the Open Handset Alliance,” Hesse said. “We are very interested in developing an Android-capable phone.”
Expect an Android device from Sprint “some time in the future,” Hesse said.
Without offering details, however, Hesse indicated that he didn’t think Android was quite ready for a cell phone carrying the Sprint logo.
Information Week said Hesse’s views could create awkward moments at the next session of the Open Handset Alliance driving the creation of the new cell phone system.
“His remarks about the new mobile platform were less than friendly,” Information Week stated. “He said that it isn't good enough for Sprint in its current form. But Hesse also said that Sprint would get around to offering an Android phone "at some point in the future."
"Hesse didn't elaborate as to why Android isn't ready. He also didn't say what Google and its coders need to do to whip it into shape enough to make it worthy of bearing Sprint's logo. I agree with what many are saying. Android needs a little bit of work. Tell us, Mr. Hesse, what it is that you'd like to see improved?”
Brighthand said this will give an edge to T-Mobile USA, which just released the first Google phone, dubbed the G1.
“Besides T-Mobile, Sprint is the only other U.S. mobile phone company in the Open Handset Alliance, the Google-led group of companies responsible for Android. As Sprint is has now said it won't be releasing a device running this operating system any time soon, T-Mobile USA will apparently have an exclusive in this country for quite some time,” Brighthand stated.
While Hesse seems to believe Android needs some more tinkering, the new Google phone as it now exists is getting a major endorsement from no less than Wal-Mart.
Fierce Wireless reports that the T-Mobile G1s will be available in hundreds of Wal-Mart stores anytime now. The publication said the phones would go for “$148.88 for new or existing customers who sign a two-year service contract. The Wal-Mart price is $31.11 less than what T-Mobile is selling the device for--$179.99 under the same terms.”
"They will launch in top markets where consumer interest is expected to be very high. We tried to include stores in most major metro market areas nationally," a Wal-Mart spokeswoman told Fierce. "As more supply becomes available, we will expand to more stores."
while yall tring to crash sprint........ is the g1 going to be albe to be unlock with sprint????