Ignore this rumor because it’s probably horseshit. I’m not saying the analyst is lying, but I — like many other people — am saying he’s spreading a rumor that makes no sense. Google developing its own phone would cost a bundle in time, research, resources, and be a direct turn from the end game that the company has set for Android. Google created Android as a way to build a great platform that would attract new customers to its services, not undercut the companies it has already worked with to push Android. Furthermore, a Google-built phone without a carrier subsidy would probably cost $400 or more, making it less attractive to the average consumer Google wants to bring under the Android umbrella.

Here are five reasons why Android will beat iPhone, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile on the global stage, according to Gartner’s forecast:

• Google backs Android, a major pipeline for its cloud services.
• Android is improving rapidly. The Cupcake 1.5 release was well-received, and Donut 1.6 has already been sent over the air to handset owners.
• Android is open, making it easier to quickly gain developers’ support.
• Android will run on phones from several manufacturers, which will help it quickly spread through the marketplace. HTC, Motorola and Samsung are already supporting handsets.
• Android combines the best of what’s out there. It’s open, but it offers iPhone-like menus and apps, with Windows Mobile-esque icons, with Palm Pre-like multitasking. There’s another arms race afoot — the battle among Android handset makers as to which company can squeeze the most out of the OS.

Google made two significant enhancements to Google.com on mobile phones Wednesday.

The first, history sync, now makes it possible to carry over a record of your search queries when you switch between mobile and desktop versions of Google.com. Dubbed "Personalized Suggest," Google will now remember your searches and will add them into the list of search suggestions you see as you type into the search bar. The new feature saves you from browsing through your history to repeat a query.

Shoeboxed and Evernote

Shoeboxed is a service that will scan all your business cards and receipts. You just stuff all that paper into an envelope and mail it to Shoeboxed. Some accounts even get a special blue Shoeboxed envelope that come postage-paid and pre-addressed, to get rid of even that small burden. Think of it as Netflix for your papers.

Once Shoeboxed receives your stuff, they scan everything and make it available online. Now for the really cool part, you can send any of that content from Shoeboxed into Evernote, where those business cards, receipts, and any handwritten scribbles become searchable. All you need is your Evernote email address, which you can find in the settings page of you Evernote Web account.

Process all major credit cards from your mobile phone.

The Federal Communications Commission prohibits in-flight mobile phone use, in great part because of worries about interference with aircraft navigation equipment. Across a number of foreign airlines, however, those issues have been-resolved, for example by routing mobile signals via satellite to their proper points on land. Users with standard international roaming service can thus make or receive calls or texts as normal.

If you haven’t already tried it, you should because while dozens of other companies have attempted to do the same thing, this may just have the winning formula. Here’s how it works: Go to a bar or restaurant and “check-in,” so that your other friends can see you there. If you check-in more than anyone else, you will be named mayor. Other badges of honor are awarded for staying out late, or drinking multiple nights a week. Here’s where the money-making part comes in: To encourage loyalty, bars and restaurants have started offering mayors free drinks or other offers.

Foursquare has made a dead-simple application that lures users to local restaurants, bars and other venues—and despite being a three-person start-up, they are already convincing local advertisers to support the service.