Even before Android entered the tech world lexicon, there were rumors of a mythical “Google Phone” – that is, a phone whose hardware is made (or at least branded) as being officially from Google.

Much like the Google Browser and the Google OS have become realities, rumors are once-again swirling that an actual Google-developed hardware handset is in the works. A Google (Google) exec in the Android (Android) division denied these reports to CNET, but that hasn’t stopped the rumors. Now Gizmodo is reporting that a reliable source has claimed to have seen this device with his own eyes, calling the Google Phone “a certainty.”

Although sparse on details, specs or manufacturing partners, Gizmodo says that prototypes feature large LCDs running either the latest version of Android (code-named Flan, to keep with the bakery theme) or something beyond it. Gizmodo notes that their source (presumably at Google) told them that Android as it is known today on phones like the Droid or the myTouch 3G isn’t the “real” Android. Gizmodo suspects “real” Android would be something with Google Voice (Google Voice) at its heart.

That would make sense. That could also make Google’s statements about not competing with its customers (customers being Android licensees like HTC and Motorola) true. If Google did issue a Google Phone, but it wasn’t a traditional networked cell phone and instead relied on WiFi and Google Voice for telephony, that could be quite interesting. Of course, that would also make the device very similar to the iPod touch.

Although we remain skeptical of any concrete plans for a Google Phone, history has told us not to underestimate these kind of rumblings. After all, the iPhone (iPhone) rumors started up at least as early as 2004 (probably even before that) and despite false starts with Motorola (the ill-fated Rokr), that certainly became a reality.

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