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The introduction of Google's Android platform for mobile devices last November effectively killed rumors that the search giant would release self-branded smartphone. Rather than build a so-called 'gPhone' itself, Google—under the auspices of the Open Handset Alliance—would like others to leverage the open Android platform to build 'gPhones' themselves. A number of smartphone makers - including HTC, Samsung, LG & others - plan to roll out handsets built on the Linux-based platform, which includes an operating system, user-interface, and applications framework.

If PBS commentator Robert X. Cringely is correct, this may not be the case.

According to Cringely, an anonymous tipster told him Google is actually planning on releasing a 'gPhone' under its own brand after all. Not only that, he asserts it won't just be one Android handset, but two—a higher-end smartphone model and a cheaper, more traditional feature phone-like handset.

Cringely writes, "The high-end phone will look somewhat like a Blackberry Pearl, but the screen flips up and there is a keyboard for texting."

Wi-Fi is reportedly on tap for both of Google’s Android phones.

Google is supposedly speaking with Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile about those carriers offering its gPhones, which Samsung is said to be building.

While there's no word on how much the higher-end Google gPhone might cost, Cringely says it is slated to become available during the fourth quarter of this year.

The other one will supposedly go for less a $100, but won't ship until the beginning of 2009, after the holiday shopping season is over.

“Despite all of the very interesting speculation over the last few months, we're not announcing a Gphone. However, we think what we are announcing—the Open Handset Alliance and Android—is more significant and ambitious than a single phone,” Google director of mobile platforms Andy Rubin wrote at the company’s blog at the time of Android’s announcement. “In fact, through the joint efforts of the members of the Open Handset Alliance, we hope Android will be the foundation for many new phones…”

From what we’ve seen so far form Google and its partners, what Rubin wrote is apparently remains the case. However, should today’s rumor bears fruit, the search giant will become one of its own customers—so to speak.

[via 9to5Mac]