Google shipped its first branded phone, the HTC-manufactured, Android 2.1-ready Nexus One, and announced a mobile web store. Initially available unlocked at $530 from Google or with a T-Mobile plan at $180, the Nexus One boasts a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen, five-megapixel camera, and voice activated controls.

The first picture of an alleged Google phone appeared on the internet. Of course these phones will run Android, Google's own Linux based Operating System for Smartphones. The phone will be called Nexus One and is made by smartphone maker HTC.

The 'maddog' about the Google phone: "There has been a lot of discussion about HTC's Nexus One, also known as "The Google Phone". The discussions back and forth about whether it is an "iPhone Killer" are often heated, with issues of whether or not this feature or that feature is better than the iPhone."

Android is maturing, both for developers and consumers. Will it dominate the mobile market? 2010 may bring the answer. Two years ago I began writing a book about writing applications for Android. Back then, most people had not heard of Android — in fact, unless you’re a phone-geek or a Linux fan, you may still not have heard of Android.

1. Google can be your phone book. Type the person's name, city and state directly into the search box, Google will deliver phone and address at the top of the results. This feature works for business listing too.

Google can also work as the reverse directory; if you have phone number, type in the search box, and google will deliver the results that matches the phone number.

Android 2.2, AKA "Froyo," was announced amid wild phone-nerd scenes a couple of months back, although we're yet to see much of it in the wild.

Google has strengthened its mobile services with the debut of a service called Voice that could be a challenge to Skype and other phone firms.

The rumored Google Phone would not only provide an open source phone powered by Android, it could actually free us from the control of the large network providers at the same time.

Google is stepping up its presence in the mobile space with a late-2007 announcement of Android, its mobile phone operating system that competes directly with existing phone operating systems such as Symbian and Windows Mobile.