Google is supposed to be inching closer to unveiling its fabled "Gphone," according to the Wall Street Journal Tuesday.

The paper says that in the next couple of weeks Google should trot out "advanced software and services that would allow handset markers to bring Google-powered phone to market by the middle of next year."

Google is supposed to want to deliver stuff like Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube and its almighty search to handsets and Gphone's Linux-based widgetry would be completely open to rally third-party developers to write additional - albeit potentially insecure and hackable - services. Ads would follow.

The Journal says Google is chasing deals with T-Mobile USA, 3 UK and Orange SA.

The story added enough momentum to Google's already heady tailwind to push its stock up to within striking distance of 700 bucks a share. Wednesday morning it sailed past $700 to tickle $705 and then went back and forth seeking to establish purchase.

Google was pushed up and over the price barrier by reports that it is in serious discussions with Verizon for its so-called Gphone.

Verizon confirmed they had talked while France Telecom told Reuters it wasn't in negotiations for the Gphone like the Wall Street Journal had said. The Journal is also saying Sprint Nextel as well as T-Mobile USA. Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel are the second- and third-largest US carriers after AT&T.

Google, which was only at 600 bucks a few short weeks ago and at $500 a month before that, now has a market cap of $219 billion, more than Cisco ($200.88 billion), IBM ($157.5 billion) and HP ($132.9 billion). It still has a ways to go to challenge Microsoft's $338.7 billion.

However, some Wall Street punters are already talking $800.