In addition to denials from Wal-Mart, a Google spokeswoman quashed the idea that the search company had its eye on the personal computing market. It would be an extraordinary but not impossible step for Google to leap into the hardware device side. She told silicon.com: "The LA Times story is completely untrue," adding the company would prefer to work with its existing partners on PCs. When queried over any plans Google may have to move into the wider hardware space, the company spokeswoman refused to be drawn.