It has been talked up quite a bit, recently. After Apple’s public fuss over the iPhone is starting to taper off, people online are talking about the phone by Google. The on again, off again offering to the mobile world by the search giant is reaching fanatical levels of hype and thanks to a recent news story by Rediff News in India, the hype is only getting worse.
The story published by Rediff said that the gPhone is two weeks away from launch. The new report said that talks are taking place with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, India's first and third largest mobile telephony operators. They also mention state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam and another manufacturer.
“Sources close to the development said a simultaneous launch across the US and Europe is expected, and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and other parts of the world. US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only hurdle that Google is waiting to cross, they added. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony foray,” the story said.
A Google spokesperson told the news site, “We don't comment on market rumor or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world's information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We're collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”
Earlier this month The Wall Street Journal published a story that said Google has already built a prototype of the gPhone. The idea for the R&D is to design a phone that could be mass produced quickly and sent to the European and US markets.
It is still simply a rumor, but a good one nevertheless. Until Google announces it officially, no one knows for sure if Google will jump into the mobile race. This news could be tied to recent comments to the press by CEO Eric Schmidt that Google will likely take place in the FCC auction to be held later this year.
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