Google Denies Google PC Rumors

By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

It’s been a popular rumor, especially this week (as reported earlier by Jimmy) but also even earlier. But Google has denied the rumors of a PC, and also others floating around about a “Google Cube,” that would link a user’s PC, TV, set-top box and cell phone.

“We have many PC partners who serve their markets exceedingly well, and we see no need to enter that market; we would rather partner with great companies,” Google said in a statement.

However, that doesn’t preclude Google from partnering with a hardware maker. A top executive of thin-client maker Wyse Technology, told The New York Times that Google has been in talks with his company. “The discussions are focused on a $200 Google-branded machine that would likely be marketed in cooperation with telecommunications companies in markets like China and India, where home PCs are less common, said John Kish, chief executive of Wyse,” the Dec. 11 article said.

Wyse Technology spokeswoman Laurie Garvey said in an interview with CNET News.com that “We are in very early stage discussions to explore a potential relationship.” She said it was too early in the process to provide any further details. Source: Google Blog @ News.com

We Say: Since Google co-founder Larry Page has a keynote at CES on Friday, you would expect that something would be announced. I think the denial of a PC is clear, but still, partnerships are not ruled out, and the extent of Google participation could be extensive. With the Wyse quote in mind, could it be something like the $100 MIT laptop? Since Intel thinks that’s a gadget and not a computer, the denial could be true even then, depending on your opinion!

At any rate, I think we’ll just have to wait for more of CES to unfold.