The storm of speculation, rumour and flim-flam surrounding the Google Phone (”Nexus One” if you like, although there are legal rumblings surrounding that name) is pretty spectacular. From the moment TechCrunch first asserted that a device from Google was definitely on the way, the amount of yaying, naying and speculation has been nothing short of incredible. So what to make of the assertion that we’ll see the phone hit shelves as early as January 5th?

Where’s this coming from?

The January 5th release date originated with Reuters – and they were quoting the ever-present and always reliable Mr. Source Familiar With The Matter. According to Reuters, Mr. Matter claimed that the device could be available through the Google website by January 5th.

How likely is this?

There are a lot of claims surrounding the Google Phone – which is all we’re going to get because Google isn’t saying anything. Amongst some of the more interesting ones are:
- the device will be sold SIM free by Google so that buyers can choose whatever network they like
- it will support quad-band GSM/Edge AND UMTS/HDSPA
- Google will be showcasing it at CES next month
- it is powered by a 1Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon
- it runs on Unicorn giggles and fairy spit

I may have made one of those up.

What we think?

Looking at the sheer amount of hype surrounding the Nexus One, it’s hard not to imagine a shadowy master of viral marketing sitting in a tower in Google HQ, rubbing his hands together and cackling in glee at all he has accomplished. Considering there’s basically no information available at this time, the phone sure is generating a lot of heat.

When it comes to releases like this, we’ve all seen companies say that will definitely do one thing and then unashamedly do something completely other. So I will believe announcements about Google Phone release dates when I hear them from Google and no sooner – and even then I’ll take it with a pinch salt.