Greetings. One of the worst-kept recent telecom-related secrets is finally out, with "official" word that Google will be selling a GSM-based cellular smartphone.

Bits and pieces of stories regarding this HTC-produced Android phone (the same manufacturer as the Android G1 and myTouch) have been dribbling out for months.

Various sources are tagging this basic device as "Nexus One" -- aka HTC Passion.

Presumably this carrier-unlocked device will include both EDGE+3G bands for T-Mobile and AT&T, plus associated international frequencies.

If HTC follows its usual pattern, a more or less similar phone will appear at some point for Verizon/Sprint CDMA, but not necessarily a full "Google Experience" device. (Both of the names HTC "Passion" and HTC "Dragon" tend to be used interchangeably, but not necessarily correctly, in some circles).

Unfortunately from my standpoint, smartphones without physical keyboards are non-starters for me in terms of routine use these days, but of course remain very useful for my Android testing and development purposes -- so if someone tossed me a Google Phone/Passion, I definitely wouldn't throw it back in their face!

Typical iPhone users should be willing to at least give the new "Google Phone" a good look-see if the price point is right, and assuming that they're willing to embrace the open Android market rather than iPhone's locked-down "We Are the Law" market environment.

Still, it may be tough for some iPhone users to drag themselves away from Mama Apple's controlling grasp, especially given the iPhone market's enticement of a veritable plethora of "farting" apps, a sheer quantity of digital flatulence unmatched by similar Android apps at this time.

--Lauren--