HTC Insider Confirms Work In Progress On Google Phone

After months of speculation, an HTC "insider" has confirmed that the company is indeed working on the Google Phone.

Whatever design makes the final grade, it'll come with a custom version of Google Maps (GPS), Google Talk (integrated WiFi), Gmail and Google Calendar. There are probably more Google features and gadgets in there too. We're hoping for an announcement in two weeks, with an actual product launch likely taking place in Q1 2008.

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Why Google is Building a Phone

On the Internet Yahoo and Microsoft are playing second fiddles to Google when it comes to search and ad revenue. But when it comes to mobile phones Yahoo and Microsoft are way ahead of Google.

For years Yahoo has been making steady in roads into the mobile marketplace. Most recently Yahoo's OneSearch mobile search engine replaced Google to become browser maker Opera's mobile browser search provider.

As for Microsoft, this year nearly 20 million mobile devices will ship with a version of Microsoft software on them, according to estimates from Yankee Group. Microsoft is even mulling the possibility of creating its own mobile phone based on the Windows Mobile OS.

With all Google's competitors muscling into the mobile space it's no wonder Google is feeling inadequate when it comes to the mobile space.

via blogs.pcworld