Here we go again. Long thought dead due to the presence of nearly a dozen Android handset models in the market, the Google phone rumor has reappeared. The Google-branded hardware will come with Android 2.0 and use Qualcomm's chips.The Google Phone rumor has been resurrected by Northeast Securities analyst Ashok Kumar, who recently issued a note to his investors. In it, he said, "Google is expected to launch a self branded smartphone by year end followed by netbook (sic) early next year."

Kumar predicts that the device will run Android 2.0 (Eclair) and will use Qualcomm's wireless chipsets. Kumar doesn't specify which chips, but we can only hope the device will run on Qualcomm's SnapDragon processors (which are speedy).

Kumar believes that not only will Google introduce it's own smartphone, but will bow a netbook, as well. The netbook will use Qualcomm's chips, too, which implies that it will be capable of connecting to wireless data networks from the cellular service providers.

This is an interesting point of view, and one which clashes with Google's stated purposes for Android. Its handset partners -- which include HTC, Motorola, Samsung, Acer, Dell and others -- are pushing out Android phones as fast as they can design them. Why, then, would Google be interested in making its own hardware and risk alienating its partners?

Is Andy Rubin, Android's chief architect, not happy with the pace of current Android handset design? Given that he had a heavy hand in designing the HTC G1, I can only hope that he's not attempting to flex his hardware design chops (no offense, Andy). The G1 was not exactly a sexy handset.

Of course, Google issued the standard "no comment" comment on the whole idea.

Personally, I am highly doubtful that Google would go this route.

[via GigaOM]