Despite Google's continued denial, rumors of a much-anticipated Google Phone persisted among the tech media. With this week's distribution of the aforementioned device among Google employees, there's no denying it anymore - the search giant is entering the hardware market.
According to the latest buzz, the new HTC-built handset will be called the Google Nexus One and will carry the Mountain View company's branding. There's still some amount of debate about the phone's actual specs, but early claims insist it's based on either the Windows Mobile-powered HTC HD2 or the upcoming HTC Passion.
Those who have seen the phone earlier in the week say it looks like a smaller, slimmer HTC Hero, with a large, hi-res touchscreen and Android 2.1 at the helm. The entire experience has been designed by Google from the ground up, including both the hardware that went into the device and the software apps that come with it (including a much-ballyhooed animated wallpaper).
The Wall Street Journal has said that Google itself will sell the phone online, in unlocked form, beginning next year. Carriers will also likely carry the phone eventually (if you want it subsidized), although only the primary retail channel (Google itself) and a rumor about Best Buy placement (also unlocked) seems confirmed.
While a company releasing a new phone may not sound like a big deal (seriously, it will be the best Android phone for three months and then another manufacturer will come out with something else), the fact that it's Google is why so many tech sites are getting their panties in a bunch. Google is a giant, with a large amount of resources at its disposal. Once it enters hardware, it could be an entirely new ballgame for everyone involved.
No pricing yet for the Google Nexus One, so stay tuned for reports surely to come within the week.
[via WSJ, photo via Corey O Brien's Twitter]
