Many people have been waiting on baited breath for news from Google to make an official announcement about a rumoured "gPhone", the internet search giant's first attempt in the mobile phones industry.

This phone has been hotly tipped by industry insiders and internet geeks as the true opposition to Apple's iPhone in the latest mobile phone war. Both companies have developed a perception of "hipness" in "techy" circles and seem likely to be direct competitors when getting the image-conscious buyer to buy the latest mobile gadget.

In early November this anticipation was dashed as Google, along with an alliance of mobile phone-related companies, declared its mobile phone project was not for a single handset. Rather, the company is planning to develop a platform, or operating system, that will allow greater functionality to all mobile phones. The formation of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), which includes such industry heavyweights as Samsung, Motorola, T-Mobile and O2's parent Telephonica, is gathering to support Google's venture, called Android.

Android is set to be the next multi-platform mobile software operating on many different handsets. It promises to bring not only an operating system but also middleware and key applications. Many of Google's most popular applications like GMail and Google Maps already have mobile versions phone users can run through Java. Android intends to make applications like this more functional on mobile phones but also to provide a fuller internet experience on the go.

While mobile phones are seeing speed increases, they still struggle with web pages when browsing the internet with HSDPA and GPRS and often users are stuck having to view cut-down WAP pages instead. With the gathered intelligence from Google and other partners, the belief is that that all mobile phones will have the capability for full web browsing.

Aside from the internet focus, developers will be provided an easier platform to develop their applications for Android. Aside from Google's own applications, it will be much simpler for independent software developers to make programs that not only work on multiple phones but also collaborate with other applications.

When asked at its announcement whether Android will turn into an actual gPhone in the future, Google said this is not a gPhone per se, but that Android provides the ideal breeding ground for their own mobile phones.

But while consumers are speculating over one particular phone they fail to see the possibility that Android will effectively create thousands of "gPhones". So until the announcement of a specific Google-branded handset, everyone will just have to wait and drool over the fake pictures posted on websites for the next year or two.

About the Author

Andy Adams is an experienced writer and IT worker, specialising in Computing and Mobile Communications.