News 

However, while it is not working on a Google-branded hardware device, the search firm confirmed to the Australian Financial Review, that it was working on porting its search tools to a handheld, portable platform. Google already has several mobile-ready services, including versions of Gmail and Google Search optimised for small screens.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported a phone call with Google chief Internet evangelist Vint Cerf, in which he said that while mobile access to its services was an important area for Google, it 'remained focused on creating applications and establishing and growing partnerships with industry leaders to develop innovative services for users worldwide'.

While a mobile phone would be a good fit for Google's existing portfolio, it would be only the third hardware product to carry the company's logo. The other two are both server products.