I don't see the advantage. What market segment are they attacking? Technology wise it would be a step forward from the current form of telephony, the consumer on the other hand doesn't care, they just want a product that works in the end and which they can use to communicate with their friends and family.

Google has done wonders with android because they attacked a market segment that apple was ignoring, cheaper smart phones for people that don't necessarily care so much about apps.

With google's buyout of motorola, im just waiting for the 'free' phone. where sms and a phone line are free for users in exchange for reading/listening to ads. Data plan is free (with a limited amount of usage) in exchange for a permanent status bar that displays ads.