New contradictory gPhone rumors: Is this becoming iPhone 2.0?

Despite rumors that the much talked about Google Phone, or gPhone, as it’s been tagged, was going to be launched anytime now, a new rumor doing the rounds tells a different story: the gPhone is actually some time away.

As new gPhone rumors continue to circulate, I can’t help being reminded of the  rumor frenzy leading up the the launch of Apple’s über cool iPhone. I’m beginning to wonder whether the speculation, rumor mongering and buzz surrounding the gPhone might have the potential to become iPhone madness 2.0. 

Unnamed “handset maker” sources talking to Taiwan’s Digitimes have apparently revealed that while Google is definitely talking to them about developing a mobile phone handset, the company has yet to decide on the specifications, the operating system, the manufacturing contractor or carrier partners.

The sources also said that Google was looking at offering 3G from launch, rather than EDGE. This change in strategy will apparently mean that the gPhone won’t make it to market until 2008.

Google is also said to be considering using its own operating system, which completely contradicts what was thought to be reliable information that the gPhone would use a Linux variant for its OS.

The Digitimes also speculates that High Tech Computer (HTC) is the front runner to manufacture the gPhone.

Rumors of a Google phone have been doing the rounds for the past few months.

Back in March a Google official speaking in Spain admitted that the company was investigating the possibility of offering a mobile phone, and British phone analyst, Richard Windsor, said that during CeBIT Google staff confirmed that a Google mobile phone was being developed.

“Google has come out of the closet at the CeBIT trade fair admitting that it is working on a mobile phone of its own. This is not going to be a high-end device but a mass market device aimed at bringing Google to users who don’t have a PC,” Windsor wrote in a note to his clients.

At the time Google spokesperson Michael Kirkland was very vague about Google’s intentions.

“”We’re partnering with carriers, manufacturers, and content providers around the world to bring Google search and Google applications to mobile users everywhere,” he said. 

“What our users and partners are telling us is that they want Google search and Google applications on mobile, and we are working hard every day to deliver that.”

In August rumors surfaces that Google was been showing a handset to manufacturers and carriers.

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