A somewhat rambling UPI article in the E-Commerce Times that rehashes recent months' developments regarding Google, China and Microsoft quotes Duncan Clark, a managing director at technology consultancy BDA China, as saying that "with mobile users being over three times the number of Internet users in China, a focus on mobile solutions will be a key priority for Google." In mid-2005, China reported more than 350 million mobile phone users and 100 million internet users.

Meanwhile BusinessWeek broke a story last week that Google in July had acquired mobile startup Android. The move immediately prompted much speculation regarding Google's intent for the little-known and secretive firm and its technology.

Android, cofounded by Danger Inc. founder Andy Rubin, is rumored to have been working on a mobile operating system (OS), or possibly "an OS for digital cameras…to couple the camera OS tightly with other media software and hardware like iTunes and iPods," according to paidcontent.

BDA China's Clark adds that Google's formal presence in China will allow it "to tap directly into local advertising budgets," but notes that "given the numbers here to date being modest in comparison with the United States, the more important factor is that they can start to develop services tailored to local Chinese consumers."

The issue in China is, according to the UPI piece, which company - Microsoft or Google - will be the leading software agent in the highly lucrative wireless search segment of China's immense mobile phone market. Clark says regarding services that Google might in mind for China: "I'd guess that mobile offerings, perhaps location based services combined with search/maps must be high up the list."

In a 2003 interview with BusinessWeek, two months before incorporating Android, Rubin is reported to have said there was enormous potential in smarter mobile devices that are aware of the owner's location and preferences. "If people are smart, that information starts getting aggregated into consumer products," he is quoted as having said.

In May, Google acquired Dodgeball, a mobile social-networking service that allows users to send a text message to their circle of friends, announcing at what location they plant to be; they can also be notified if friends-of-friends are in the vicinity. The technology would facilitate location-based advertising.

"We acquired Android because of the talented engineers and great technology. We're thrilled to have them here," was a Google spokesperson's only comment to BusinessWeek regarding the Android acquisition.