In the world of Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), each passing day brings more news about some added feature, idea, business partnership or gadget, and today it is no exception. Despite much hype that Google would be announcing the "gPhone" today, instead: "Google along with 33 other companies are announcing Android, the first truly integrated mobile operating system." What's particularly notable is that it's available under a mobile open source license.

This is becoming very Google-esque -- a major partnership announcement! Google watchers (and shareholders) can appreciate that Google does not want to be in the hardware business, at least not right now. The company is in the partnering business. It has made the very wise decision to create as many partnerships as it can, attractive to both parties given that partners will make money by working with Google, without a new cost. Its selling point to Internet users: we are the nice guys and we bring you so many features that make your life easier and fun (sounds like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL)). How can someone resist that?

Google hopes to create not 'a' new platform for cell phones, but 'the' new platform for cell phones. In doing so the company will be expanding the Google universe.