I can confirm to you that tech Google, is planning to release its own smart phone by the end to the year 2016. This is in an attempt to have a strong foothold on mobile software and in direct competition with it rival Apple's iPhone lineup. Google only release smart phone via its Nexus program through established Hardware manufacturer.

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This new move will allow Google to take more control over the design, manufacturing and software of the handset. The internet giant is already in discussion with the mobile operators about a Google-branded handset, extending its move into the hardware segment, sources familiar with the matter told the Telegraph.

Unlike its major market rival Apple, Google leaves the manufacturing part to other smartphone vendors, while putting more focus on the development of its Android mobile operating system that runs on 1.4 billion devices. It has developed several Nexus-branded devices in a partnership with manufacturers such as LG, Huawei, HTC and Samsung.

There have been rumours about Google releasing its own handset for a long time. In November 2015, the Information revealed the company was debating the idea of building an Android phone in a bid to make its Android OS more competitive with Apple.

Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight said, "They are concerned that Android is fragmenting, that it needs to become a more controlled platform. I think they'll seek to control it more, more like Apple."

Sundar Pichai, Google's chief executive, in a recent interview said, "We are investing a lot more effort into [Nexus]" in response to a query whether the company is planning to launch its own smartphone. However, he made it clear the company would still continue the development of its Nexus devices with the manufacturing partners. Pichai said, "Our plan is still to work with hardware partners."

I will love to see how the release of the Google branded handset will affect the market in Nigeria and internationally. Currently, 4 out of every 5 smart phones are running Google Android OS.