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Though the issue still isn't exactly black and white, it seems that Google has put the Google Phone rumors to rest - for the time being.

"Mobile is an important area for Google," said a spokeswoman from Google named Erin Fors in a statement last week. "We remain focused on creating applications and establishing and growing partnerships with industry leaders to develop innovative services for users worldwide. However, we have nothing further to announce."

Makes sense, doesn't it?

The rumor mill continues to churn regarding Google's venture into the mobile phone market. We've heard it called the GooglePhone, the Google Switch, and the GPhone. There have been rumors of Google partnerships with Sony, Nokia, and Samsung and of carrier releationships with Verizon, Cingular/AT&T, and T-Mobile. As time goes by, the likelihood of some of these rumors becoming a reality is increasing.

During last night's Academy Awards, Apple aired it's first television commercial for the Apple iPhone since it was announced at the keynote address some months ago.

The iPhone commercial featured a long list of celebrities in movie and television clips saying the word "Hello" into phones from different ages. Just some of the noteable persons featured in the ad include Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, Michael J. Fox, Jerry Lewis, Robert Redford, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Will Ferrel. The ad, of course, concludes with the iPhone which displays "Hello" on it's screen.

It is now being widely reported that Verizon Wireless had the first chance to be the exclusive distributor of Apple's iPhone in the United States. According to Verizon Wireless vice president Jim Gerace, Verizon Wireless was offered the partnership first, but simply "said no." Verizon explained that the two companies could not come to an agreement that was mutually beneficial.

Probably. An industry analysis firm named iSuppli recently performed a teardown analysis on BoM (bill of materials) costs involved with the iPhone, added estimates on royalties and other costs Apple will incur, and have estimated that that iPhone will cost Apple roughly $280 to make. At that price, there's plenty of room for Apple to make $200-$300 profit on each unit they sell.