Google, Samsung Reported Close to Announcing Nexus Two

If you're planning to buy the latest-greatest Android phone on the market, this fall is turning out to be a nail-biter. Clue-meisters are having a field day with the invitation sent out by Samsung earlier this week teasing a Nov. 8 announcement of "a new Android device."

Normally, that wouldn't be a huge deal if, like Samsung, the company in question had just introduced a line of Android phones (in this case, the Galaxy S.) So either the Samsung PR department has too much time on its hands or this really will justify a special media event.

Quoting sources said to be familiar with the details of the pending announcement, the Android site AndroidandMe. is reporting that the device will indeed ship with Google's just-completed Android 2.3 version, known by the codename "Gingerbread", and is expected to become available on myriad carriers. (Possibly telegraphing the announcement, Google recently set up a a giant Gingerbread man on its front lawn.)

Any software announcement from Google would be more interesting, given the company's escalating rivalry with Apple in the smartphone business. Something else to note: Google fared poorlyl trying to sell its Nexus One nearly exclusively online. This time around, Google is said to be planning to sell the Nexus Two through retail outlets. In the United Kingdom, that is said to involve an exclusive deal with retailer Carphone Warehouse.

Then again, we're entering the thick of the silly season with rumors of real and imagined products fast and furious. To be continued.

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