My pal Harry McCracken does : An analyst, supposedly with the inside scoop, says Google will release its own Android handset before the end of the year. The smartphone would be sold unlocked, allowing it to run on the AT&T or networks in the U.S. and other networks globally.

The reasoning behind this is solid: over how its services are integrated with smartphone hardware.

Harry does not think Google is getting into the phone business, but wishes it would. I do not know whether to rumor is true and can make equally valid cases both for and against.

Here goes:

Google wants more control over hardware