The Google phone may not be in the shadows much longer as the search giant is now actively searching for program managers and others to help it with "a new hardware product introduction."

The company is advertising the job -- along with a number of other more explicitly mobile-related positions -- on its site. Unstrung was tipped off this week that the company may be bringing more people in to support its mobile efforts soon.

Rumors of a so-called "Google Phone" have been floating round for months now. Unstrung reported in March that the company was said to have a 100-strong team working on a device in Mountain View, Calif. The gadget would be a BlackBerry-like device that would run Java -- and possibly Linux -- and support services such as voice over IP. These new openings are said to be for the next stage of that work. (See Google Spy: Big Team Picking Up Phone.)

A European Google executive also recently confirmed that the company is working on a phone. She described it as a "low-cost" device that the company was working on among a number of other projects in the lab. (See Google Euro Boss Confirms Phone Rumor.)

The latest reports out of Asia suggest that Google is working with High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC) to bring handsets to market in 2008. Although Analaysts and bloggers have previously named both Motorola Inc. and Samsung Corp. as potential G-Phone manufacturers.

One big unanswered question about any Google wireless strategy is exactly how the company would work with operators to bring a phone to market. It appears that the firm is trying to bring people onboard with more relevant experience on this question right now, however.

In another job posting, Google says that is looking for a strategic partner development manager with "extensive partner/business development experience working with large U.S. wireless carriers and handset OEMs."

Google hasn't yet got back to comment on the job postings or the revitalized G-phone rumors.

— Dan Jones, Site Editor, Unstrung