- Are Google planning to release their own smartphone?
As Digital Spy reports citing The Telegraph, the technology giant is in discussions with mobile operators about releasing a Google-branded phone to extend the company's move into hardware.
Google's Android operating system runs on four in five smartphones sold around the world, and endorses a range of phones made by partners like LG and Huawei under the Google Nexus brand.
Unlike Apple, Google has so far left manufacturing to other companies, such as Samsung, but the new device will apparently see the company take more control over design, manufacturing and software.
It is said that the device will be released by the end of the year.
"They are concerned that Android is fragmenting, that it needs to become a more controlled platform," explained Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight. "I think they'll seek to control it more, more like Apple."
Earlier this year, Google hired Rick Osterloh, former president of Motorola, to lead a new hardware division. In recent years, the company has released its own tablet computer and laptops, among others.
Meanwhile, last month it was revealed that Google are set to launch their long-awaited modular Project Ara phones for commercial release next year.
