And by "Google Phone" we don't simply mean another Android handset. We're talking about Google-branded hardware running a version of Android we haven't yet seen.

Over the next few weeks, Google Phones (most probably in early, prototype form) will flood the Mountain View campus. They'll don large LCDs while running a new version of Android—either Flan or the version of Android beyond it—which our source spotted running on Google's handset as well as a laptop. (Whatever the software was, it most certainly wasn't Chrome OS, we were assured.)

But maybe the most intriguing bit is what someone said to our source offhandedly, that the current Android, the we all know and love, is not the "real" Android. So what makes for a "real" version of Android?

Our best guess is an Android OS with Google Voice at its heart.

It's also funny that his post is headlined "An Unboxing You Won't See On Gizmodo or Engadget". In your face sir. In your face. [Twisted Matrix via Fake Steve]

The email search still isn't included in Universal Search as far as the version of 1.2 that was leaked was concerned, but if you want to see the other minor enhancements of 1.2, head to the Precentral forum. They're adding more details as they find them. [Precentral]

Pre Central was sent a screenshot of a Sprint inventory system showing Palm 120 and C40 models. There are few details on the handsets (the $1 price has got to be a place holder), but the P120 looks pretty similar to the P121 that was leaked through Verizon and is assumed to be just a variation of the Pre (considering the Pre is entered in the system as the P100).

The C40 is thought to be a totally different model and perhaps that Palm Eos that we have been hearing about for awhile now. Here is what is safe to assume: Palm and the CDMA carriers have something up its sleeve. [PreCentral]

No word on new features; even though our own Matt really liked the original Chumby, he didn't see much of a niche for it to fill. But the design has kind of an iriver neo-retro thing going on with the cubic design and big dial, and we've always had a soft spot for the little guy. We'll update more as we get new information. [Ryan Block]

The internal inventory leak comes from a Phone Arena tipster, and it's not unimaginable to think it's the Palm Pre given Sprint calls it the P100.

The Blackberry Storm 2 could hit Verizon as soon as September, and we've seen the HTC TouchPro2 with Verizon branding. We also knew they were getting the Samsung Omnia II, but the Samsung Convoy U640 info is new.

You might want to hold off on your next phone if you're a Verizon subscriber…[Phone Arena]

It also backs up the previously rumored launch date, Sept. 8.

Those prices look dirt cheap compared to the current iPod touch pricing, making the Zune HD seem super competitive now, but you gotta figure the touch's prices are gonna get re-aligned shortly after the Zune HD's launch, so it might look a little different then. Still, things look good so far for the Zune HD. [Thanks tipster!]

The RX-5 is packing a 5MP Carl Zeiss camera, a full QWERTY in the style of the N97 or Sony's XPERIA series, and a bunch of other interesting features:

* Screen resolution of 800 by 480 pixels.

* Support for both chambers. * Support for both Chambers. The most advanced auto could count, flash, and a resolution of 2608 by 1966 pixels, about 5 megapixels The most advanced auto could count, flash, and a resolution of 2608 by 1966 pixels, about 5 megapixels

* FM transmitter and receiver * FM transmitter and receiver

* Accelerometer * Accelerometer

* WiFi b and g standards under * WiFi b and g standards under

* Internal Memory 128 megabytes DDR manufactured by Samsung * Internal Memory 128 megabytes DDR manufactured by Samsung

* Keyboard is similar to the N810, with a few extra keys * Keyboard is similar to the N810, with a few extra keys

* Chipset OMAP3 ARM Texas Instruments, with support for frequency scaling * Chipset OMAP3 ARM Texas Instruments, with support for frequency scaling

* Linux Operating System based on Maema 5 * Linux Operating System based on Maema 5

Looks interesting, but we're not sure it'll help drag Nokia out of their design rut. Frankly, we'd be a lot more excited about a revamped Symbian than another new slider, but we'll take what we can get. [Kaskus Forums via Engadget]

Maybe some competing company or manufacturer hired someone to lift it. Maybe some kid picked it up off the curb and it's in his toy chest. Maybe it's under someone's couch cushions. Maybe it's lying in the middle of a street, being run over by hundreds of cars an hour, completely unrecognizable. Maybe someone reading this post has it in their hands. Maybe it never existed.

Where do you think the missing prototype is?

The presentation is by Lippicott, a "design and brand strategy" consultant firm with extensive retail experience that it appears Microsoft has hired to help develop the store's concept, principles, and design. It looks pretty legit to us—if it's a fake, it's fairly elaborate, with detailed graphics, research, plans and even rough store layouts.

Essentially, Microsoft is taking the best elements from the Apple Store, Sony Style and other "flagship" stores. The main focuses are going to be Windows 7, Xbox, PCTV (Windows Media Center) Surface and Windows Mobile, revolving around this concept customer they call "Emily," who's basically a younger version of your mom, since they make all the buying decisions.

Frank Shaw w/ Waggener Edstrom, left a comment below on behalf of Microsoft, implying that many of these concepts are merely that and not final plans:

"As a part of our process in briefing creative agencies, we shared some early prototypes and concepts of our retail store plans. No final decisions have been made. As we previously announced, we are on track to open retail stores this Fall."

That said, it's still probably a pretty good indication of how Microsoft and its consultants are thinking about their store, at least at the beginning of this month, since the presentation is dated July 7.

Here are the highlights of the slides, if you just wanna skip to the meat of the 140 slides we got and the 54 we posted:

• There's going to be a Digital Media Wall—a massive screen—that wraps around the entire store showing various messages, which you can see in some of the slides
• Personalization is something they're stressing big time, with fancy areas devoted to customizing computers and gadgets using an "Xbox style" interface at various kiosks
• Here's a sample store layout
• Lots of Surface demos
• Stage areas for Windows 7, Windows Media Center (PCTV) (it's kinda surprising how much they're pushing PCTV, actually), Windows Mobile and netbooks
• Their take on the Genius Bar is the Answers Bar (or Guru Bar or Windows Bar, depending on which slide you look at, showing it's slightly up in the air, though we prefer Answers Bar since its sounds like slightly less like a Genius Bar ripoff)
• Apple Store-style table layouts
• Some of the stores they profiled for ideas are Nike, Nokia, Sony, Apple and AT&T
• They're already planning out huge demos and events around Project Natal and their secret mobile project Pink
• A fancy Microsoft shopping bag
• You can pay to have your birthday party at the Microsoft Store

In short, if it's anything like what Lippincott is planning, it sounds absolutely amazing, and we'll be lining up the first day it opens.

• Phone: GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, UMTS900, UMTS2100.
• GSM and HSDPA connectivity.
• Windows Mobile 6.5.
• Screen 3.6 inch WVGA touchscreen display transflective TFT, 65,536 colors.
• CPU: speed 600Mhz Qualcomm 8250 processor.
• Memory: 256MB RAM and 512 MB ROM.
• Slot: Micro SD.
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR.
• Wireless LAN: 802.11b, 802.11g.
• AGPS.
• Gyro Sensor.
• Headphones: 3.5mm.
• Main Camera: 8 million pixels

[Sanook via WMPoweruser via Electronista]

[Engadget]

From the screen, Mobile Crunch says only the blue-shaded section is visible at once. Not a whole lot more detail in the post, but it is an interesting widget-based ad-supported system subsidized by carriers. [Mobile Crunch]

This purported screenshot, showing "model MB717LL 9," definitely shows 32GB of storage, which seems pretty reasonable. The poster adds that the new iPhone's processor will get bumped to 600MHz (from 400MHz) and will double the current amount of RAM to 256MB. Aside from that, the rumors point to a camera upgrade to 3.2MP with autofocus, and, interestingly, a digital compass and an FM radio, but with no major design changes: That means the same casing, screen, and battery.

Some of this stuff is probably true, like the proc, memory, storage, and camera bumps, and we've heard that rumor about the compass before, as well as a possible FM transmitter. But honestly, we wouldn't hold out any hope for an FM radio, given Apple's track record. [MacRumors, AppleInsider]

The biggest tidbits are the significantly smaller chassis (the current Alpha 300 and 350 series are huge and heavy) and the addition of a new GUI and HDMI out. The Alphas have always been nice teaching cameras, and the new models look to improve upon that. The new GUI has graphical illustrations to show exactly how changes in shutter speed and exposure and all that will affect the shot. They'll also pack, according to Google's Russian translator, a "handbook" or "directory," which seems to us basically a glossary that explains the cameras' functions in plain language.

High-def output is a little less clear, thanks to the translation; it's not totally obvious whether this function will be exclusive to Sony-made Bravia sets (we know it'll offer specific advantages, like using the Bravia remote to view/zoom images) or if Sony is simply choosing not to mention its compatibility with competitive HDTVs. But we'll keep you updated as more info becomes available. [Photo Club Alpha via Photo Rumors]

Bsquare to Port Adobe Flash Lite on New Google Android Netbook for Dell

Leverages Bsquare's Android Competency to Improve the Adobe(R) Flash(R) Lite Experience on Dell's Mini Inspiron 910

BELLEVUE, WA—(MARKET WIRE)—May 6, 2009 — Bsquare Corporation (BSQR - News), the leading software solutions provider to the global embedded device community, today announced it is porting Adobe's Flash Lite 3.17 technology onto Dell Netbooks running Google's Android platform.

Adobe is a leader in rich internet and user interface technology for mobile devices. Flash technology ships on over 800 million devices worldwide with more than one million designers and developers using Adobe Flash to build video and rich media applications.

Netbook and Nettop computers offer the functionality and efficiency of traditional laptops, but with lighter weight and better portability. Research firm Gartner estimates that worldwide shipments of netbooks will increase by 50 percent to 7.8 million units in 2009, while overall computer sales are expected to decline. Industry analysts also predict that Android will gain traction on smart devices, such as the ultra-portable Dell Mini Inspiron 910, which are used in a range of industries.

"Integrating Adobe Flash technology with the functionality of Google's Android platform on the full range of Netbook devices will allow our OEM customers to meet the high expectations their customers have of this new industry segment," said Bsquare's CEO Brian Crowley. "As the Netbook and Nettop market segments expand, our Adobe Flash Lite port to Android is just one of the software products we will offer our OEM and ODM customers."

In the last 12 months since its acquisition of NEC America's Adobe Flash Technology Consulting and Distribution business, Bsquare has worked on over 40 different customer devices including handsets, set top boxes, digital signage, consumer devices and netbooks. Bsquare has built an Android competency in its professional engineering services group through customer engagements and by hiring top talent in the field.

The company tried to pull the press release without anyone noticing. Dell is probably not too happy about third parties blowing their incoming announcements. There are no details on the new machine but I hope it's the light tablet I pictured here instead of a minibook with a stupidly tiny keyboard.

If will be interesting to see where the Android OS will take the netbook category, with HP thinking about them and chinese manufacturers already churning them out their factories. [Yahoo! Finance via Phandroid]

Here are the details: they're a new Latitude notebook design branded for the education market using the Atom architecture. They can support an optional SSD, hold up to 2GB RAM, hit 1.6GHz and weigh in at under 3lbs.

In other specs, there's three USB ports, SD/MMC slot, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 a/g/n, Bluetooth, 3 and 6-cell battery options and a possible Touchscreen. Dell's trying to launch this around May 2009 in time for back to school season. If this leak is true, this is a pretty snazzy netbook for schoolkids for a pretty decent price. [Thanks Tipster!]

The most interesting is the Firestone (above), which is the successor to the Touch HD, and runs a 3.6-inch WVGA display, 600MHz processor and Windows Mobile 6.5.

There's also the Thoth, which is the successor to the Athena, which was a UMPC-like, Windows Mobile-running mini PC. This version will also use WM 6.5 on a 1000MHz processor. Jump over to WMPowerUser to see the rest. [WMPowerUser]