So, what is the Gphone? Well, it's potentially every phone.

Apple may be breathing a bit easier today now that Google has announced it will not release a physical phone, but rather a platform for every phone.

Developers, however, should be jumping for joy, according to Google, as Android and the Open Handset Alliance have now been announced.

Famed Sidekick creator and "director of mobile platforms" Andy Rubin made the announcement on the official Google blog.

"Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications -- all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation," writes Rubin.

The platform was developed in cooperation with the Open Handset Alliance, which consists of more than 30 mobile leaders.

The potential for Android is one of complete collaboration and open development on the mobile web. While Google developers nearly salivate over the potential, some analysts have chided the idea as "the dumbest thing [Google] could do."

In either case, the platform will not be ready for developers until later this month, and not for users until the second half of next year.