Android. What an odd name for a mobile communications software application suite. The name smacks of something independent and powerful. Perhaps it's not a misnomer after all. This could be the start of something quite unfamiliar in the world of subscription cell phones. I want free access to multiple wireless carriers.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), has declared once and for all that today's mobile phone is to no longer be a simple communications device. Google, it would seem, has determined that your cell phone is to become your one umbilical cord to the world . Google wants your cell phone to be more than just an extension of your personality (as if it wasn't already). That is why Google wants your cell phone unleashed. Google wants the pipe line opened up for pumping personalized advertising at you right where you live. I believe that Google envisions the day when wireless air time is given away to consumers and paid for by advertising sponsors just the way most television worked not so long ago.

I believe, now that the cat is actually out of the bag, Google is going to put serious pressure on the wireless communications industry to change their business models from subscription based survival to active air time marketing based on their numbers of subscribers. Gradually, subscription fees will die as vendors compete to increase the value of their air time by adding eyes. Are you taking notes on this Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT)?

On the consumer side, mobile communications air time sells cheap and is even sometimes given away. Put an advertising sponsor via the Internet on the source end and you could see that air time suddenly becoming extremely valuable. Is it just Google that figured that out? There could possibly arise a problem involving a public back lash against unrequested advertising showing up on their phones but I'm sure a couple of "free phone, free minutes" promotions would chill all that noise real quick.

We want free access to multiple wireless carriers and we want it now. We can thank Google if it happens.

With all the talk about how the once-great Microsoft is losing talent, shedding massive amounts of consumer weight and facing increasing competition from companies like Google, is Microsoft doomed?

John Dvorak, noted PC World and MarketWatch columnist, thinks so. So do others. Is there reason for alarm? Remember this -- MSFT shares recently hit a five-year low on the heels of the Redmond giant's latest lackluster quarterly results and rumors continue to fly that the next Windows operating system, Windows Vista, will be delayed until the year 2010.

Robert Cringely from PBS writes rather eloquently that Microsoft's business model can't be re-engineered fast enough to meet these challenges and he hints at the software giant taking another corporate direction before it's too late, even though he thinks MSFT will survive no matter what.

Like Cringely, I don't think Microsoft is doomed. Why? Several reasons. First, it has the cash hoard to make acquisitions to catch up with almost any competitor it chooses -- and yes, Google will prove to be the biggest challenge.