Someone, somewhere, just wound up a big spring in Google: if the Wall Street Journal are to be believed then within the next two weeks we’ll be hearing an announcement about a Google-developed suite of software and services which manufacturers can use to release Google Phones.  While spokespeople from the search giant declined to comment, sources close to them revealed that deals are likely to include LG and HTC, while involved carriers mentioned were T-Mobile USA, France’s Orange and the UK’s 3 network. 

Key to the strategy is not merely a cabal of Google applications but an agreement on the part of the handset manufacturer to keep the hardware open for third-party developers to interface with both the functionality of the phone - e.g. GPS, cameras, Bluetooth and other wireless messaging capabilities - as well as with the pre-loaded Google content.  That would enable far easier implementation on so-called “mash-up” software which existing handsets often preclude or at least limit in scope.

“The most likely scenario from a Google perspective is to build some, if you will, inspirational platform [applications]; but primarily focus on getting third parties to do it because that’s where the innovation will come from” Eric Schmidt, Google CEO

Of course, being in talks with carriers echoes the long-standing control they’ve had over cellphone development in general, which, some analysts believe, is undoubtely where Google’s motivation to acquire the 700MHz spectrum stems.

[via Reuters]