Rumored Google WiFi/3G Portable Unit

Google continues to drive speculation that it will launch a mobile device, less likely to be a handset than to be something more content-friendly and thus more a portable unit. The speculation we’ve heard most recently is that the platform will be larger than an iPhone and will work both with WiFi and with 3G provider networks. Google is hoping to use the upcoming spectrum auction for “open access” spectrum as a driver to do a deal with one or more major providers. The reports that the device would be partly ad sponsored appear to be correct at least in that Google is looking at ad sponsorship as a means of paying for the usage charges, but we hear that they are also looking to do some subscription price deals as well.