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While the upcoming Android OS is yet to see the light of day in the first half of 2008, Google decided to release the Android SDK to give software developers some time to experiment and to create something worthwhile before the official launch.

The kit is cross-platform compatible and gives developers full access to the system's features and functions.

Right after Google has announced its Android OS and the upcoming GPhone there appeared images of the possible look of the company's future handset.

The first Android OS demo unit is called Google Dream, and as you can see on the picture it looks very similar to the old HTC Omni.

Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile USA are in talks with Google to use its upcoming OS in their future handsets.

The search giant's mobile platform will be inexpensive and easily customizable, so carriers will be able to adapt it to their requirements.

According to Wall Street Journal, Google will announce its new operation system in mid-November and the first handsets to feature it will be available in sometime in 2008.

Google has made available a mobile version of Google Docs application, which can be downloaded from docs.google.com/m .

The interface includes “Recent Documents” inlay at the top and “Your Documents” at the bottom, as well as a "Search Docs" bar. The program is supported on the iPhone, BlackBerry, and on any other handset with rich Internet capabilities.

Here is another rumor concerning the Google phone: according to a UBS analyst HTC plans to release 50,000 handsets running on the Google's upcoming mobile OS by the end of 2007.

Although most analysts believe that the search giant will release only the operating system, if the Google/HTC partnership really exists, we all can expect first Gphones to appear sometime in 2008.

Google has released a new version of its mobile Gmail application.

Gmail Version 1.5 offers less data consumption, syncs better with the full version on PC, and provides better search functionality.

Other enhancements include one click access to contact info, direct calling from Gmail, and the ability to save letters as draft.

Google has developed a version of Google Maps application compatible with GPS-enabled smartphones running on Symbian S60 (3rd edition) OS.

Native means that the application comes integrated in the phone's GPS capabilities, delivering much faster performance than its java-based version.

Apparently, Google will not be launching its much anticipated Gphone.

Instead the company plans to integrate its services and software, including a new mobile operating system based on open-source Linux, in handsets from popular manufacturers.

So, as you can see, Google's strategy is different from what we thought at first: they're not here to rival Apple with a new phone, but to create an open-source alternative to Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS and to expand their dominance in mobile online environment.

LG has partnered with Google and will include Google services and applications in its forthcoming handsets.

The manufacturer has already introduced several models featuring Google Maps, Gmail and Blogger, and one click access to Google search site. They will be available throughout Asia, Europe and North America in the second quarter of 2008.

Google Phone is coming soon... for real!

An HTC "insider" has confirmed that information and said they're still working on the device, but we can expect the official announcement in about 2 weeks from now. The Gphone will be packed with all kings of Google apps and services, including Google Maps (internal GPS), Google Talk with VoIP (integrated Wi-Fi), Gmail, Google Calendar, and more.