Google reportedly hawking Gphone prototype

Gphone rumours — or news masquerading as rumours — continue to fly around the web. Their possible entrance into the handset business is one that could continue to set cats amongst pigeons after the recent iPhone launch.

Here’s the first news item I’ve come across that specifically mentions that a prototype Google handset exists.

Link: Report: Google shows phone prototype to manufacturers – washingtonpost.com

Google has developed a prototype cell phone that could reach markets within a year, and plans to offer consumers free subscriptions by bundling advertisements with its search engine, e-mail and Web browser software applications, according to a story published today in The Wall Street Journal.

Google is showing the prototype to cell phone manufacturers and network operators as it continues to hone the technical specifications that will allow the phone to offer a better mobile Web browsing experience than current products, the story said.