Google is rumored to be working on an iPhone rival

Complimenting the mobile-devices, for long, with so many mobile-based applications such as Web search, e-mail, mapping and other Web services, the online search giant, Google Inc. is now developing its own mobile phone, according to industry insiders and analysts.

There are strong rumors floating high in the air that Google is developing new software tailored to run on mobile phones that goes well beyond the applications for phones Google already offers for accessing services such as search and maps.

Which mobile phone manufacturers might partner with Mountain View, California based company to design devices to run the software and the devices' technical specifications still remain a matter of increasing rumination.

The first rumors about a “Google phone” have emerged in December 2006 when a United Kingdom newspaper, The Observer published that Google seems to be interested in developing a “branded Google phone”.

Since then, media reports and blogs are saying that Google was working on a phone project, and the device is in progress.

The speculation got extra fuel last week when a top Google executive in Europe confirmed the existence of a phone project. Google's chief executive in Spain and Portugal, Isabel Aguilera, acknowledged last week that the company has been working on a mobile phone. "Some of our engineers' time is dedicated to the development of a mobile phone," Aguilera mentioned during an interview with Spanish news site Noticias.com.

On the design of rumored “Google Phone” different people are coming forth with their own opinions. For some, the Google device is a low-cost, Internet-connected phone with a colored, wide-screen design, while others speculate that Samsung would empower Google Phone, which would be a Blackberry-like device that would run VoIP services.

Mr. Simeon Simeonov, a venture capitalist, wrote on his Web blog that a Google device would in some way resemble Research In Motion Ltd's BlackBerry, and that Google would likely rely on a partner such as Samsung Electronics Co. to do the actual manufacturing.

Other rumors are moving around that Google may have previously been working with Orange in Europe to build a mobile phone there. Some believe that Google is planning to launch its own smartphone.

Rumors are also spreading like a forest fire across the globe that the alleged Google device will have direct reflection of Apple's iPhone, rather than any other device. Pictures of iPhone-like Google phone have already been floating around the web.

Google however has denied such reports, and is keeping mum about any plans. "Mobile is an important area for Google and we remain focused on creating applications and establishing and growing partnerships with industry leaders to develop innovative services for users world-wide," said Google spokeswoman Erin Fors in a statement. "However, we have nothing further to announce," she added

However, the search giant has not yet officially confirmed the plans, but its recent push to make its mapping, mail, and search applications available on mobile phones may be an indication that the company is trying to check-out the mobile marketplace.