So, the rumor mills for a Google designed and branded Android phone are, once again, starting to really get into gear. I have spent the evening searching through all the posts, and stories and rumors and it appears that it all started with a post made over at techcrunch. Well, it started way before that, but the latest round of hubbub is coming from that article. Here’s the deal.
First, the author says they have “absolutely confirmed”:
Google is building their own branded phone that they’ll sell directly and through retailers.
Interesting indeed. He doesn’t state who confirmed this or quote them, just that it’s confirmed. Take that as you will.
Second, the phone has been delayed until early 2010, though it was supposed to be out by this holiday season.
Third, it will be built by a “major phone manufacturer”.
That’s all that is really stated as a “sure thing”. However, he still fails to provide where or how he got this “confirmed” information. Just that it was confirmed. I don’t really know the guy, so I can’t make any statement about how confident I would be in just taking his word. I also understand that if he has interesting information he would want to share it, even if he can’t reviel his sources, but to me, if you can’t at least state the nature of the source then you shouldn’t post that type of claim. I’m not saying I was offended or think he’s wrong, it’s just not great reporting in my opinion.
That being said, I would find a Google built Android phone very surprising. It kind of makes the whole open handset idea a little biased. I mean, I know if I were in charge of the software and I had the hardware too, I’d certainly be more inclined to build the software to better suit my hardware or vice versa, knowing what software capabilities were coming down the pipe.
Anyway, we’ll see. Come early 2010, let’s see what happens.
via techcrunch
