Clearwire to use Google apps

Clearwire Corp. said it will offer Google Inc. applications including Gmail, Calendar and Google Talk to its subscribers.
Craig McCaw’s WiMAX startup said the Internet services will be available to customers in the first half of this year, and the company plans to use Google’s search services with future Clearwire portal applications.
The news isn’t a major win for Google, as Clearwire claims only a few hundred thousand customers in the United States, Europe and Mexico. But the addition of a high-profile partner is a substantial step for Clearwire, which has seen its shares plummet more than 50% since its fallout with Sprint Nextel Corp. in November.
“Both companies are built on the foundation of providing a simple-to-use, rich and open Internet experience,” said Clearwire Chief Strategy Officer Scott Richardson, “and we believe the addition of these communications tools will be a tremendous benefit to Clearwire’s customers.”
Shares of Clearwire fell 24 cents, or less than 2%, to $13.75 by mid-day Tuesday.