The intended launch of Google's mobile phone is China is not going to happen - at least for right now. Tuesday Google postponed the planned launch in the midst of a dispute with the government over Internet censorship and e-mail hacking. There has been speculation that Google may leave China but the talks are still ongoing.
Google's phone was to be the company's way of joining in competition for a share of China's mobile phone market. China has the world's most-populous mobile phone market. It has over 700 million accounts and customers who are willing to pay for the latest technology and services.
The initial announcement that Google may pull out of China received massive support from Chinese Internet surfers, pleaded with the company to stay in China.
With the announcement that Google will not introduce its phone in China at this time, many free speech advocates are cheering Google for its bold move.
However, the government in China has now stated that Google must obey China's laws and traditions, suggesting Beijing was giving no ground in talks over Internet censorship and Google's possible withdrawal from China. Right now, the Chinese government blocks access to sites run by human rights groups and dissidents and any material deemed subversive or pornographic.
China has a massive Internet market, with more than 384 million people online. That is bigger than the entire U.S. population, so there is sure to be more protest over the lack of freedom on the web in China.
For now, there will be no Google phone in China as talks continue regarding Google's possible pull-out from China.
Written by Cheryl Phillips
HULIQ.com
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