Google CEO hints at mobile plans

While Google CEO Eric Schmidt remains mum on rumors the search giant is planning to offer branded mobile handsets and/or wireless service, he nevertheless outlined new details of the company's larger mobile strategy during an appearance at the All Things Digital conference in Carlsbad, California. According to The Wall Street Journal, Schmidt said Google's plan of attack centers on developing mobile software applications as well as a platform for other software developers--Google is presently in collaboration with wireless operators to develop new mobile apps, he added, citing the small size of handset screens as the biggest differentiator separating the mobile platform from the PC environment.

The WSJ reports that Google insiders confirmed the company is creating its own operating system to run a suite of new mobile applications beyond its existing e-mail and mapping services, with negotiations with U.S. operators AT&T and Sprint Nextel as well as several European carriers already underway. The report adds that Google is also in talks with Asian handset manufacturers to introduce a line of branded devices.

For more on Google's mobile future:
- read this Wall Street Journal article (sub. req.)

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