Google Phone May Work Only With VoIP and Data Package

Earlier this morning, we swiftly whipped out the rumor alert to bring forth the news (as per TechCrunch) that the Google Phone we’ve been hearing about is real, and would be coming out early next year. We essentially covered the basics, but now we’re learning more.

According to Michael Arrington of TechCrunch, “The Google Phone may be a data only, VoIP driven device.” According to a source, Google may be working with AT&T (why?!) to provide the data services which will connect the device to the cloud.

As opposed to the regular calling plans we’re so accustomed to, Google’s Phone would both send and receive calls over a network connection. While whichever carrier Google works with will surely hate the amount of bandwidth these calls will take up — will they pass it up? Likely not, and for a real-world example, see what happened when Verizon failed to come to an agreement with Apple over the iPhone.

Google proposed the idea of VoIP calling back in 2007, when bidding was going on for an FCC auction on the 700Mhz spectrum.

Furthermore, Arrington outlines that according to his sources, whichever carrier (which Arrington states is AT&T) gets to provide connectivity for the Google device will be charging $20/month. However, this is only applicable to current BlackBerry and WinMo smart phone users, who give up BlackBerry and WinMo devices for the Google Phone, minus the phone plan, of course.

I’d just like to close by stating that this is not written in stone, and is purely a rumor. If it satisfies you all, here’s the super low-budget rumor alert notification so there’s no confusion: