Google Phone Pricing & Availability Rumors

Just in case you missed them, two rumors about the upcoming Google Phone (AKA the Nexus One, Dream, or the HTC Passion). From Android Guys:

Here’s the price: $199 unlocked in stores. $100 rebate online if you have an active and old Google account. That $100 rebate is either to buy it $99 online from Google’s online phone store, for using on Android Marketplace or for using on any Google Checkout stores. Can also be used for T-Mobile or AT&T pre-paid Data SIM card service at $29 per month, no contracts required.

From Reuters:

The phone, manufactured by HTC, has a number of code names such as HTC Passion, Dream or Nexus One and could be available directly though the Google website as early as January 5, according to the source.

Nothing’s definite yet. Until we actually see an official announcement from an official Google rep, I won’t bother adding to the rumor pool. What’s clear though is that this development will potentially leave other manufacturers and operators who’ve jumped on the Android OS bandwagon out in the cold. If the $199 unlocked price tag is true, why would you bother locking yourself to a two-year contract then?

I just hope that Google plans to make the Nexus One available worldwide. If they’re really pushing a mobile free from the restrictions of traditional service provider plans or lock-ins, I’d like to see the geography barrier fall as well.

What do you think? Do the rumors above hold any truth? I’m pretty loaded gadget-wise, and won’t spend in that regard for Christmas anyway, so it’s a wait-and-see game for me.