Google’s ambitions in the mobile industry have suffered a setback after it was reported a new handset powered by the search giant’s software is now unlikely to appear until the end of the year.

The so-called ‘Gphone‘ – a handset powered by an operating system Google has helped design – had been slated for release in the second half of the year, but Google now says it will more likely appear in the fourth quarter.

Or something like that.

A director of mobile platforms at Google told the Wall Street Journal that the development of the Gphone, which requires the involvement of handset manufacturers as well as mobile operators, was taking its time. “This is where the pain happens – we’re very, very close,” he said…

T-Mobile USA is hoping it will be able to deliver an Android-powered phone in the fourth quarter, but that release is taking up so much of Google attention and Sprint Nextel – another Android partner – will not be able to put out a device until next year, according to reports.

Uh-huh.