NOKIA TO UNVEIL ANDROID PHONE LATER THIS YEAR (UPDATE: OFFICIAL DENIAL FROM NOKIA)

According to industry insiders, Nokia will (UPDATE: won't) unveil their first Google Android-powered phone this September at their annual Nokia World conference. More info after the jump.

The move, although still unconfirmed, comes as a shock to the tech world as Nokia had just recently bought out the Symbian Foundation in the hopes to revamp it to be more akin to Android itself. But compared to the recent success of Android through T-Mobile and the undeniable presence of Apple's iPhone OS and app store, its not surprising that Nokia would embrace the competition rather than push an unqualified competitor into the fray.

It looks like the world is left to speculate up until Nokia World in Germany this fall, as Nokia is indubitably remaining mum on the subject. Nokia has flat-out denied the rumors when asked for an official comment by TechRadar, Nokia responded:

"There is no truth to this story whatsoever. It is a well known fact that Symbian is our platform of choice for smartphones."

Take that as you will, but that denial sounds quite official.

[TechRadar, The Guardian via EngadgetMobile]