Citing sources at “Taiwan handset makers,” DigiTimes is reporting that “Google will definitely launch its own branded handset.” However, the Googlephone’s OS, hardware specs, production contractor and operating partners have still not been finalized. Given that we’re already pretty sure that Google has developed their own mobile OS based on Linux, we’ll assume that their use of “finalized” refers to the final feature set and UI polishing — not the possibility of the gPhone running Symbian or WinMo, for example. DigiTimes’ sources also note that Google is contemplating going with a 3G handset instead of EDGE for its initial foray into the cellphone market. However, the choice for Qualcomm’s 3G versus TI’s EDGE could push the introduction of the HTC manufactured handset into the first half of 2008. Come on Google, it’s post-Labor Day now so just go ahead and announce your plans already. We’re big boys, we can take it.

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Although we can’t really see Sony Ericsson dropping all that R&D into Symbian and UIQ only to jump ship to the Borg, the always-reliable Commercial Times is reporting that HTC just won a million-unit OEM order for Sony Ericsson’s first Windows Mobile handset. Details are still sketchy, but apparently the device will ship in the “second half of 2008.” Take this one with a huge grain of salt for now, but we’ll keep our ears to the ground.

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How the mighty have fallen! With last week’s announcement that Palm will discontinue production of it’s yet to be birthed “Foleo” product many annalists are forecasting something that Palm loyalist have known for quite sometime – Palm OS is just a “dead man walking”

Palm, the innovator responsible for popularizing the handheld computer, is now teetering on the brink of obscurity, a jagged precipice that drops off into the great chasm full of once great, but now forgotten, technology luminaries that line the footnotes of computing history.

But how did this happen to Palm? It actually has much less to do with features or failings of a single product like the Foleo, and everything to do with a corporate culture lacking the bold leadership that created and defined the handheld market of the late 90s’. Think about it, just a few years ago Palm was in the driver’s seat; both in terms of market share and casting vision for the future of the Personal Data Assistant (PDA) marketplace.

The same cannot be said today. And its not that the iPhone is to blame as some might point out. Apple will play a major role moving forward, but does not account for Palm’s slide from prominence in the PDA/Phone space to date. No, Palm’s own internal lack of focus on innovative, yet easy to use devices and their corporate mis-organization is to blame. (You can read about that confusing history here if you don’t recall all the confusing dance steps of the PalmSource/3com/PalmOne/USRobotics/Handspring shenanigans.)

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Whoa, the iPhone just got GPS. Well, assisted GPS, but still, It actually works. This morning, the Navizon GPS app showed up in Installer.app. After creating a username and login (get this: email NOT required), the free app started up, taking about 30 seconds to find my location by measuring the delay between nearby cell towers and using their known locations to pinpoint where I am. Then it pushes your coordinates, by latitude and longitude, to many, many, many decimal places of degrees, to the map application.

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Sorry, 8800 owners — your pieces are officially obsolete (not really, unless WiFi is a big deal for you). AT&T has gotten officially official today with the 802.11a/b/g-equipped 8820 at the expected $299 contract price point, offering integrated GPS, push-to-talk support, EDGE data, a microSD slot, and a clean, camera-less posterior just like the original. Grab it online and in store starting tomorrow. Oh, and buyers, let us know what the sitch is with the GPS, okay?

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