Google Mobile to be pre-installed on Samsung wireless handsets

by Brian White

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) is planting its mobile device and access strategy quite quietly, but with the force of its PC web-enabled products. Now the company's Google Search, Google Maps, and GMail -- in their mobile versions -- will start to become pre-installed on Samsung wireless handsets based on statements from both companies this week at the CES trade show in Las Vegas.Ever time I hear an announcement like this, it seems to me that Google is entrenching itself incredibly far in the everyday lives of computer (web) users and mobile phone users. Put those two customer segments together and you have billions of potential customers available. But, Google, already have billions of users it feeds every single day.This move is just the latest in Google's attempt to ensure it is the web product of choice -- for search, email or maps/directions -- for as many global customers as possible. With Samsung being the third-largest manufacturer of handsets in the world (at this time), a partnership of this magnitude is no small matter. GOOG shares are sitting at roughly $498 as I type this.