FT.com / Technology - Stage set for Google-Apple mobile duel

January is going to be interesting...

FT.com / Technology - Stage set for Google-Apple mobile duel: "By announcing a Google phone ahead of Apple’s tablet, the internet company had a chance to steal its rival’s thunder and build a following for its first Google-branded consumer device, Mr Kumar said.

However, some analysts warned that if it created a rival gadget, Google would alienate other mobile handset makers that have used its Android mobile operating system in their own products.

“If they’re doing their own phone, it’s really a dumb idea,” Ken Dulaney, an analyst at Gartner, said.

Rather than produce its own phone, Google was more likely to put its name on the device and have influence over its software, Mr Delaney said."