I’m not so concerned with the exact launch date because those kind of things normally get adjusted. What had me the most curious was the actual retail price. If this phone is going to have a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, we know it will be expensive (just look at the Xperia X10).

There was also the possibility that Google might subsidize the device in order to bring it to as many people as possible.

This leads me to the following tip that came from an anonymous source. Read it and make what you will of it.

1.) It’s going to be $199, subsidized by Google. That is pretty game changing from a cell phone sales perspective. Sounds like Google is going to make a big push to get a good Android handset into as many people’s hands as possible.

2.) They are apparently working on some new 3D UI elements for Android.

3.) GSM at first, CDMA version will follow.Anonymous tipster

It might sound shocking at first, but when you think about it for awhile it becomes more believable.

Verizon Wireless recently launched the Motorola Droid at a subsidized price of $199 in addition to spending $100 million on a marketing campaign. They sold the device at a loss because they know they will recoup their investment on the 2 year contracts and data plans.

Google might also be willing to sell the Nexus One at a loss in order to entrap entice customers. The phone will require a Google account, so Google will be virtually buying new mobile users. And with all the new mobile services that Google offers (including new advertising schemes), you can bet they could easily monetize the device enough to do this.

Does it all sound a bit crazy? I can’t wait for more official information. Look for the T-Mobile docs to leak over the coming weeks.

Please consider everything in this post a rumor. Each item has been corroborated by several sources, but don’t expect Motorola to confirm or deny any of this information.

Motorola Cliq

A source tells me the Cliq might be stuck with Android 1.x. Motorola has told us they were planning an update for the Motoblur-powered phone, but have not specified which version of Android it would support. Rumor has it that Motorola has not budgeted to bring up all the device drivers for Android 2.0. Google made significant changes to the kernel in Android 2.0 and it takes a lot of effort for handset makers to update their hardware drivers to be compatible.

I really hope this rumor is wrong, but it comes from a reliable source that has never let us down. Motorola could easily squash this rumor, but has chosen not to comment on Android 2.0 coming to the Cliq.

Motorola Motus

We have briefly mentioned the Motus and its “reverse flip keyboard“. Several sources have told us this device will launch in Q1 and be powered by Android 1.5. Why would Motorola release an Android phone in 2010 that is still running Android 1.5? The phone is essentially the same internals as the Cliq (Qualcomm 528 MHz CPU). If the Motus does in fact launch with Android 1.5, this would lead us to believe that the Cliq rumor above is true.

The phone is also said to be a Motoblur-powered device and is likely headed to Verizon AT&T or T-Mobile. It should also appear on another carrier since there is a GSM version in the works. Motus has support for AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands (W-CDMA 850/900/1700/1900)/2100).

Motorola Sholes Tablet

The Sholes Tablet is a very old rumor that was recently confirmed in the leaked Motorola roadmap. The phone is essentially a Motorola Droid minus the keyboard and with an updated camera. Our sources tell us this device is headed for T-Mobile in Q1 2010 and will feature Motoblur. T-Mobile seems to be huge fans of Blur (we are not) and all their Motorola phones should feature the social service.

Have some juicy news to share? Hit up our tip line.

Sprint 4G handsets

I was speaking with a Sprint developer and I asked him how committed was Sprint to Android. He casually said “Our first 4G phone will be Android.” I didn’t specifically ask him about 4G handsets, so I thought it was odd that he offered up this information.

Samsung has been rumored to be working on a 4G device for Sprint, so maybe that will end up coming true. Sprint just lit up a dozen new 4G markets last week (including my hometown Corpus Christi) and they are expected to have a 4G handset sometime in 2010.

Eclair (Android 2.0)

We had widely expected that Android 2.0 would ship this year on Motorola’s secret phone headed to Verizon. Motorola did not announce the device last week, which made me wonder about the status of Android 2.0.

I spoke with a high level executive from Samsung who was extremely knowledgeable about Android development. When I mentioned Android 2.0 shipping this year, he looked at me kind of weird and snickered. He told me not to expect Android 2.0 until Q2 2010.

We did see some Android devices running Eclair, but they appeared far from finished. No one else was talking about Android 2.0 so I’m starting to doubt a 2009 release. (I will explore the Moto/Eclair issues further in a post later today)

INQ Mobile

We have known for awhile now that INQ Mobile would be producing an Android smartphone in 2010. I bumped into an INQ head employee and quizzed him on the new handset. He provided no specific details on the hardware, but did mention some other interesting info.

The INQ smartphone should appear on a major United States carrier in 2010. INQ will provide a highly customized UI for Android. I believe his exact words were, “We are going to pimp out Android!” Expect the device to be heavily integrated with social networks Spotify, Facebook, and Skype.

LG Android

LG recently announced their first Android phone (GW-620), but don’t expect it to show up in the United States. Instead we should see a new Android device from LG that is targeted for a major US carrier. I was told it could be awhile before LG makes the announcement. Look for more information at the next CTIA show in March, 2010.

TomTom Android

We have previously reported that TomTom might be working on an Android app, but it could be awhile before it sees the light of day. A TomTom employee said they had received many requests for their product on different smartphone platforms, but iPhone is the focus right now. From what I could gather nothing is in the works at the moment and TomTom will continue to gauge the community interest.

Google Maps 4.0

I asked every maps and GPS company I came across about the possibility of Google releasing their own navigation software. Most people had no idea what I was talking about so maybe it is time to lay this rumor to bed.

I still believe it is a natural evolution for Google Maps on mobile to provide spoken turn-by-turn directions, but it would certainly turn the GPS industry upside down. Google services are already integrated into many GPS products, so I guess Google is not ready to upset those companies by releasing their own navigation service.

Have a juicy Android rumor to report? Tip us on news.