The Nexus One realizes the full potential of Google's Android OS
By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Seems like Google decided to steal some thunder from the upcoming CES (Consumer Electronics Show) by unveiling its Nexus One smartphone which it hopes to sell directly to the public for US$529 as an unlocked phone or US$179.00 through T-Mobile with corresponding voice and data plans. the Nexus One is not currently available outside the US, although unlocked phone bought stateside should work with any 3G SIM card.
There are quite a number of Android enabled handsets and smartphones in the market today being sold under different global carriers. What makes the Nexus One different is that it provides the most “perfect” implementation of what a Google Android Smartphone should be. Google controls the software and updates it directly without limitations from mobile carriers. Introducing the Nexus One is a bold move by Google, it proves that the company is serious about challenging the iPhone in the smartphone market but may also alienate partner carriers by offering an unlocked device. Handset manufacturers who aren’t HTC , may also not appreciate competing with Google on their very own turf.
Nexus One owners will get the most updated version of the Android OS (2.1), the mot powerful hardware (1GHz Snapdragon processor, compass, light and proximity sensors, GPS and accelerometers). There’s also a 5 Megapixel camera with an LED flash, a stunning and incredibly clear 3.7 AMOLED display, dual microphones for better noise cancellation and audio. The Nexus One comes with 4GB memory but can take microSD cards for a total storage capacity of 32GB. While there is still no multi-touch in the Nexus One, Google has hinted that they have enabled innovative voice control feature in this version of the OS.
Built by HTC for Google, the Nexus One has already started stirring up interest. In terms of performance and features, it isn’t too different from the Motorola Droid. Google is clearly aiming at Apple’s iPhone in both the form-factor and as well as feature-for-feature comparison. It will be interesting to see how well the Nexus One is adopted by users and what role it will play in the development of the Android Mobile market.
I want one too. I have been waiting so long for the Android based phones, and the Nexus One looks to be the perfect fit for my needs.
Please, Google, partner with a Canadian provider, so I can get a Nexus One here.
Why can’t we have this in Canada? I’d buy one in a heartbeat and use it on Wind Mobile. Maybe I’ll get a US relative to shipme one
How many of you have already seen the dreaded, but all too anticipatable in Canada, disclaimer:
Sorry, the Nexus One phone is not available in your country.
Yes, the phone is getting a lot of buzz these days, but it may be the store where it’s sold that is the most important news for the future.
Gadjo is right that the other phone makers and carriers are in Google’s crosshairs – so, too, I think, are major online retailers like Amazon.
Google and its partners now have a dynamic direct-to-consumer channel, and we can expect not just Android apps and Nexus accessories to be sold. Other hardware, media content, software services and much more will be online.
But most of all, the Nexus One and its storefront will further Google’s advertising efforts.
Despite the phone, despite the store, Google’s main business is still advertising. So how will that be supported, expanded, empowered by an online store and mobile device?
Surely, online ads will appear in the store and on the phone.
Revenue will not be solely through retail sales, but through the sale of eyeballs, as well. Eyeballs on the go, eyeballs that can be geotagged to sponsor’s messages and entreaties.
As Mario Queiroz, Google’s VP of Product Management, says on his blog, “The goal of this new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google’s online users with selected Android devices. We also want to make the overall user experience simple: a simple purchasing process, simple service plans from operators, simple and worry-free delivery and start-up.
“The first phone we’ll be selling through this new web store is the Nexus One … the first in what we expect to be a series of products which we will bring to market with our operator and hardware partners and sell through our online store.”
Whenever the doors open in the Great White North, we’ll see.