Does Google have what it takes to supplant (or even compete against) the dominating Apple IPhone as reigning king of the smart phones? Only time will tell, but after this weekend it seems evident that the time to find out is drawing near.

Although details are still sketchy, it has been confirmed in a tidal wave of attention this past weekend that Google is in fact preparing its own smart phone device running its Android mobile operating system (the phone is currently being called the “Nexus One”).

Whether you like them or not, you gotta admit that on the surface it sounds pretty cool. It is such an intriguing proposition that the sky has been the limit on the speculated impact of such a move.

Why, just on the surface it makes me wonder if Google has an ultimate strategy to bypass the carriers and provide phone services via the Internet with their own version  of Vonage (only with a better jingle!). Could they pull it off? How would it change things?

Currently little is known about specifics of the device (to be manufactured by HTC of Taiwan) or Google’s plans for it. However it seems clear that Google plans to sell the device online and not through traditional cell phone sales methods where consumers acquire the phone from their carrier in exchange for a long term contract. For example, the phone could be sold at Amazon.com for instance, and at the time of purchase the consumer would select their carrier network from a list of participating carriers.

T-Mobile is said to be the only carrier interested in pursuing this new distribution model with Google – which seems to be a must-change situation for Google to shake things up beyond media frenzy. But then again, the IPhone only runs on the AT&T network.

Regardless of how this all shakes out, it is obvious that Google has the notoriety to stir the pot as well as anybody.  They also have the Internet clout, the cash, and the technology to take on the old guard (telecomm carriers) and beat them at an old game with a new Google twist.

It will definitely be entertaining to watch it unfold in 2010 – anybody want popcorn?

I am declaring the first day of December to be the official Technology Thanksgiving Day.

This will be a joyous day as we reflect and appreciate the simplicity and productivity that technology has delivered. A day where we take time to remember how it used to be…before the Internet… before the PC…back in the dark ages of office life…when we smoked cigarettes at our desks and typed on typewriters.

It is important that we do not forget where we came from as we head so fast towards where we are going – wherever that may be!

Here are some thoughts of thanks from the pilgrims of this new Holiday:

Mitch

I am thankful for the ability to do business with the entire world from my desk in Overland Park, Kansas!

I am thankful for the TrueShare users that help make the TrueShare service what it is today and what it will be tomorrow. Their ideas and participation in usage feedback allows us to expand our feature set and improve on our shortcomings. Thanks TrueShare Users!

Jason S

I’m thankful for mobile tech, iPods, smart phones, laptops.  You can carry more processing power in your pocket, today, then you could get on a desktop 10 years ago.  I can play Doom on my iPod, TV on my smart phone, and World of War Craft on my laptop, anywhere I can get a cell phone signal.

Mike M

I’m thankful for Google and the innovations and drive they are bringing to the industry.

Jason R

I am also thankful being asked what I am thankful for and Thankful for that… (Note: Only a tech guy can find Recursion in thanksgiving)

Mike A

I am thankful for Google, for providing answers to all of life’s questions.

Thomas R
I’m thankful for the communication applications like Skype that bring us face to face from around the world. And also for applications like YuuGuu that make sharing face time and “screen time” easy as can be.

Eric

As for me, I am thankful for The Internet, software-as-a-service, Text to Speech technology, and having work to do.

Happy Technology Thanksgiving Day to you all.