Google Says 'No Smartphone From Us'Google Says 'No Smartphone From Us'

Quashing rumors and leaving little doubt as to Google's intentions, Android architect Andy Rubin recently said in no uncertain terms that Google is not interesting in making any Android smartphones.The Googlephone -- or GPhone -- rumor has been around since the dawn of time, or at least it feels like it has been around that long. The idea surfaced about three years ago and was a blog site favorite until Google announced the Android platform in the Fall of 2007. It then seemed pretty obvious that Google was going to stick to software and leave hardware alone.

As 2007 turned into 2008 and eventually 2009, a number of handset makers jumped onto the Android bandwagon. Not only the handset makers, mind you, but the network operators as well. Many joined the Open Handset Alliance, declaring allegiance to Android. It seemed obvious that Google's partners would fill the need for hardware if Google just kept on developing the software.

Then the rumors of a Google-made Android smartphone resurfaced several weeks ago, with supposed knowledgeable sources confirming the rumor.

Nope, not so. Andy Rubin, the main man behind the Android platform, said, "We're not making hardware. We're enabling other people to build hardware." That seems pretty clear to me.

Does everyone got it now? Please, no more Googlephone rumors.