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Source: No Google-Verizon Deal Imminent

While Google may be in what some have called "advanced talks" with carriers Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and T-Mobile, an insider stated that there is no deal about to be announced.

The word comes from a Fortune report about Google and its plans with the U.S. wireless network operators. Though the media hype machine already is well oiled and ready to pounce on whatever Google fodder is generated over the coming weeks, it won't have anything to report about Google and Verizon. A source who is privy to Verizon's upcoming plans says there are no announcements pending.

That doesn't mean the companies aren't still talking, but it lowers the probability that Verizon will announce a partnership to offer a Google OS-powered device in the coming weeks. Fortune summarizes:

Verizon, which has a reputation for being the most controlling of the U.S. carriers, is unlikely to be the first operator to sign on with Google.

I can't disagree with that statement. And it strikes at the heart of Over The Air blogger Richard Martin's post from yesterday about corporations' "evil" tendencies. His post was aimed at Google's "don't be evil" stance. Brin, Page, and Co. may be slowly trudging toward the dark side, but Verizon has always been a bit more ... protective ... of its business and business model. The Fortune writer has it right. If any of the carriers is going to sign a mobile platform deal with Google, Verizon won't be the one leading the way.

Verizon Wireless hasn't officially commented on any of this.

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