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Oracle shows off designs of a 2006 "Google Phone" in court

Posted: , by Michael H.

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Oracle shows off designs of a 2006
The evidence shown off in court today as part of Oracle's case against Google was pretty surprising: renders from 2006 of the original "Google Phone", and what Google thought a smartphone could be. Not surprisingly, it looked quite like an updated BlackBerry. Frankly, we were a bit surprised to hear that the images were coming out for Oracle's case, because they look like something Apple would use to prove claims that Android was "stolen". The renders come from 2006, which is about a year after Google purchased Android, but a good 2 years before the first Android phone, the G1, was released into the market. 

Oracle released the images because the designs for the phone mention a heavy use of Java for the smartphone implementation. One slide specifically mentions the aim to "leverage Java for its existing base of developers. Build a useful app framework (not J2ME). Support J2ME apps in compatibility mode. Provide an opTMobileized JVM (Dalvik)." As you can see, the early plans were always part of negotiations with T-Mobile as the carrier of the device. Google's plans were to provide "integrated services" and push customers towards high-end data plans. 

Oracle shows off designs of a 2006 "Google Phone" in court
The device itself was planned to be a portrait QWERTY device, and there didn't seem to be any plans for a touchscreen at all since the device included two soft menu keys instead. The specs weren't official, but Google wanted to have the first gen phones to be powered by an ARMv9 processor (at least 200MHz), 64MB of RAM and ROM, miniSD slot, a 2MP camera with dedicated shutter button (something many Android devices still don't have), BlueTooth, and a QVGA screen. 

Google's Android plans of course didn't follow this plan at all really. At the time, Google had Android running on touchscreen devices with many parts of the finished OS in fully working order including the WebKit browser, dialer, home screen, messaging app, and contacts. The company had hoped Android would be certified by mid-2007, then released to manufacturers, but as we know, the first Android device to exist was the G1 in October of 2008. 

All in all, we're pretty happy that the first Android device wasn't something akin to a BlackBerry, because while the early Androids may have been pretty rough, touchcreen was a much better option. Still, this render was only one of a few designs that Google was reported to be working on. Another design was similar to that of the eventual G1 with a touchscreen and slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and it's unclear what the third option being discussed would be. 

Interestingly, but not surprising given Google's love of bandwidth, even back in 2006 one key feature that Google was pushing for with T-Mobile was a 3G radio. Google knew that the smartphone revolution depended on fast data and more importantly unlimited data. Carriers have certainly jumped on the fast data train, but that unlimited idea is one that is almost impossible to find these days. 

source: The Verge

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1. remixfa posted on 25 Apr 2012, 14:55 10

zomg.. its amazing to think how not so long ago 200mhz was decent amount of phone power

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8. Droid_X_Doug posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:32 4

This is the best that Oracle can come up with? Google should be spanked for thinking about releasing a handset that they never released?

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22. cepcamba posted on 25 Apr 2012, 18:54 2

I'm sad with what's happening to Oracle. Their starting to look like iOracle.

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2. ardent1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 14:58 1

"we were a bit surprised to hear that the images were coming out for Oracle's case..."

Michael, you may be surprised but for the rest of us, we know any good lawyer worth his salt will try to prove to the court that Google is duplicitious.

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4. MichaelHeller posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:09 9

thanks for missing the joke by cutting off the quotation...

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5. shadowcell posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:09 2

Oh we're going on a first name basis already? And here I was calling him Mr.H. So embarrassing.

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3. caclark724 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:01 5

kinda looks like the HTC Status huh?

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6. Leon101 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:11

It doesnt look that bad!!

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24. pookiewood posted on 26 Apr 2012, 00:04 1

You think so? I think it's ugly as sin.

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7. gwuhua1984 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:27 2

The look kind of reminds me of the Facebook phone...

and what does a concept design have to do with anything? I would think the final design would be more likely to be some sort of backup to their accusations.

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9. Bluesky02 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:46 2

A Must buy Android Phone!

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10. theBankRobber posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:00 7

People will see this and start all kinds of crap about Google copying Rim. They also forget Palm had a touchscreen and keyboard well before Android and IPhone. But when people bring up the LG Prada and 1st IPhone, they get offended and say how much of a POS the Prada was. BUT LG Prada was hit the market before the iphone. If it wasn't a problem then why Apple get sued by LG? Hey here's what I say, LG prada came 1st, iPhone made it better with IOS. Google brings Android, makes it better for the users to customize how their phone looks and acts. Nothing wrong with taking a idea and making it better, unless your name is Apple of course. Then its just stealing.

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11. gallitoking posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:13 3

a bank robber talking about stealing.. hmmmm

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13. theBankRobber posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:22 2

Aww is that ALL YOU HAVE to say????? Did I hit the nail on the head?? Your picture fits you well, just a chicken s**t taker behind a keyboard. You know nothing about why I choose my name and you think I rob banks at gun point. You just prove how uneducated you are.

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15. protozeloz posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:24 1

Woa calm down a bit

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17. TROLL (limited) 5 days ago posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:02 1

Bankrobber bro take it easy coool.... you hit gallitoking in his nerve!

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21. JonBjSig posted on 25 Apr 2012, 18:32 2

not sure if trolling or just stupid

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23. Commentator posted on 25 Apr 2012, 19:16 1

I think gallitoking is probably being facetious...

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18. TROLL (limited) 5 days ago posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:05 1

That's off topic!

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14. protozeloz posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:22 1

No need to go there pal. It's provocative

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16. TROLL (limited) 5 days ago posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:52

True! Wise comment.....

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20. jroc74 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 18:10 2

Dont you go mentioning the Prada!! It gets iPhone and Apple fanboys out of whack...

Whats wrong with you!!!

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26. taco50 (banned) posted on 26 Apr 2012, 01:17 1

Prada had none of Apple's innovations. You guys don't get it. It's the iPhones user interface that is unique, game changing and innovative.

You're right android took what Apple came up with and added their own twists, like widgets, notification bar etc. however the core of android is all stolen from Apple. Apple is the true innovator while everyone else copies.

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12. jmoita2 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:18

Is there such thing as honor among thieves???

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19. imkyle posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:15

I love seeing early prototypes of devices from companies. This does not look too bad if it would have been released in 2007.. wonder if they had released a Google phone in 07, would it have been able to fully compete with the iPhone?

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25. taco50 (banned) posted on 26 Apr 2012, 01:15 1

Android fans how can you keep denying android copied Apple. The original android phone wasn't even going to have a touch interface, let alone any of Apple's innovative touch gestures.

We have pictures of android phones looking like blackberries, we have android developers coming out and admitting that after the iPhone came out android changed coursed to have the look and feel of the iPhone.

How much more proof do you need?

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