Google Launches Nexus One: T-Mobile Plan Available Now, Verizon and Vodafone Coming Soon

[QCassidy352]

officially.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10424433-265.html?tag=smallCarouselArea.0
www.google.com/phone

Looks very nice. Way more attractive than the Droid. I guess some will continue to cling to their physical keyboards, but I'll never voluntarily own another device with one (I say voluntarily because I still have a work issued bb), so this is a big step up over the droid.

Available on t-mo now and Verizon soon - time for the iphone to get off the AT&T exclusivity, I'd say.

from the Q&A:
"Rubin said it's inaccurate to say that Google designed the phone: Google is just merchandising it on the store, similar to any retailer, and HTC designed the phone."

Interesting. So much for "google's pure vision of what a phone should be"?

 

[MacRumors]

Google Launches Nexus One: T-Mobile Plan Available Now, Verizon and Vodafone Coming Soon

Google today announced the launch of its Nexus One smartphone, ushering in what the company calls the first of its "superphones" based on the Android operating system. The Nexus One, which offers an 800x480 screen, 5 megapixel camera with flash and is powered by Qualcomm's 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, utilizes the Android 2.1 operating system.

As revealed last week, the Nexus One is priced at $529 as a standalone purchase or $179 with a two-year agreement with T-Mobile. Google also announced that Verizon (U.S.) and Vodafone (Europe) have signed on with the Nexus One and will be offering similar hardware and service plan packages in the spring. Initial orders are limited to the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Through the web store found at www.google.com/phone, consumers can buy the Nexus One without service (meaning any GSM network SIM card can be inserted into the device), or purchase the phone with service from one of Google's operator partners. As new phones come to market through this channel, consumers will benefit from the ability to match a phone of their choice with the service plan that best meets their needs. Operator prices and plan details will be featured on the site.

"The Nexus One belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call ‘superphones,’ with the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset making it as powerful as your laptop computer of three to four years ago. It's our way to raise the bar on what's possible when it comes to creating the best mobile experience for consumers," said Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering. "We look forward to working with handset manufacturers and operators to bring more phones to market through this channel worldwide."

The Nexus One offers 512 MB of Flash and 512 MB of RAM, and ships with a 4 GB Micro SD card with support for cards up to 32 GB. The device also offers voice recognition throughout the operating system and advanced widget and home screen personalization.

Article Link: Google Launches Nexus One: T-Mobile Plan Available Now, Verizon and Vodafone Coming Soon

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

i'm surprised they pre-announced that it'll be on verizon. wonder how t-mob feels about that...

 

[ChazUK]

I'd have liked to have seen some EU handset only pricing. I guess I'll have to wait until spring.

 

[bearcatrp]

Since apple is locked to crappy AT&T, looks like my next phone will be this one. Definately going to give the iPhone a run for the money. Guess apple shouldn't have had google on there board as it looks kind of similar to the iPhone.

 

[PutzMan]

iPhone 3GsII. Even faster than the 3Gs, 10x more hype. Seriously, the iPhone needs a real makeover, and I don't see Apple willing to give it a chance since if it goes wrong, their reputation will be ruined.

Google could do something 'new' like this since this is their first venture into the mobile market (no, ignore Android altogether), they have no reputation to keep hold of.

 

[Roessnakhan]

Your move, Apple.

I'd have liked to have seen some EU handset only pricing. I guess I'll have to wait until spring.

I heard that it would be 450EUR in France (still rumored though).

 

[Tilpots]

That's a tiny amount of standard storage, but overall the phone looks good.

 

[Small White Car]

I'm glad the phone exists because I love to see Apple challenged.

But past that I'm begining to realize that while I love Google's services I don't much care for the style of their design. I don't think this would be the phone for me even if I couldn't have an iPhone.

I'm sure it appeals to a lot of people, but I'm not one of them.

But like I said, I hope it does well.

 

[herocero]

does not support the GSM band used by AT&T and Rogers (canada) for 3g service. as if at&t couldn't be bad enough, they only use t-mobile's 3g network? yikes.

 

[Sayer]

If the battery cover drops off after 3-5 days of use will the owners still claim its the best phone EVAR! and sneer at the iPhone as if it fell out of a horse's rear?

Will the pundits claim it will be a failure within a year with "only" 100k units sold?

Will its anemic app store be praised for its disorganized chaotic collection of apps that must be purchased with a Google account that 99% of people don't have?

What will happen to the Android "clones" now that Google is competing directly with them, and getting the best OS and features/design for themselves?

 

[OllyW]

A spokesperson for Vodafone told BBC News that it was the first operator to "bring the Google phone to the UK" but stressed that it was a "non-exclusive agreement", meaning other networks could also offer the phone soon.

It's good to see they are not going to restrict it with stupid exclusive agreements.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8442205.stm

 

[ChazUK]

There seems to be some confusion about this news.

The Nexus One is still a HTC branded phone:

Also from what I've seen, the Nexus One may not be coming to verizion:

10:49AM ...Note that doesn't mean Nexus One is heading to Verizon, just that the carrier will one day be a bullet point selection somewhere on the site for some phone. Enjoy your Droid for now.

10:48AM Before I go, another fun little surprise. "I mention we're going to be adding more providers." Verizon in the US and Vodafone in Europe have agreed to join the program.

10:47AM Expected to add more carriers, more devices (including Motorola) and more countries in the near future. The store will be opening up... any minute!

10:46AM Can buy from Google or from carrier, the latter of which of course gets you a discount. "Today, at launch, from www.google.com/phone, you can purchase a Nexus One with service from T-Mobile USA."

It seems that Google is trying to unify the sale of Android handsets through http://www.google.com/phone

EDIT: As has been pointed out below it is coming to Verizion. http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/verizon-getting-the-nexus-one-in-spring-2010/

 

[Roessnakhan]

Will its anemic app store be praised for its disorganized chaotic collection of apps that must be purchased with a Google account that 99% of people don't have?

99%, really? Also, you create a Google account when you get an Android device.

What will happen to the Android "clones" now that Google is competing directly with them, and getting the best OS and features/design for themselves?

The same OS on the Nexus One will be released in a few days for all Android devices. It'll be no different than Google partnering with HTC for the G1.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

It's good to see they are not going to restrict it with stupid exclusive agreements.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8442205.stm

i would love for this decade to bring the end of the exclusivity phone deals. let the carriers just compete on price and network.

 

[alm99]

i'm surprised they pre-announced that it'll be on verizon.

Now queue the announcement from Apple on Jan 27th that the iPhone will come to Verizon in June. Flat lining sales of this device from VZW.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Reed Rothchild]

The Emperor's new clothes

Looks great. I can foresee a pincer movement by the Open Handset Alliance that could cause some serious trouble for Apple and the iPhone. It will be fun to watch how this develops.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

There seems to be some confusion about this news.

The Nexus One is still a HTC branded phone:

Also from what I've seen, the Nexus One may not be coming to verizion:


It seems that Google is trying to unify the sale of Android handsets through http://www.google.com/phone

keep reading the live blog...google announced the nexus one for vzn this spring

 

[bytethese]

512MB flash and a 4GB MicroSD? So everyone who buys this thing needs to spend money on extra storage? Looks like Sandisk, etc doesn't even make a 32GB MicroSD yet and a 16GB is $74.99 from JR.com. Meaning the NexusOne is about $600 with no contract or $255 for a "16GB device" with a 2yr contract, where as the comparative iPhone 3GS is $500 and $200 respectively. I understand it has some cool new hardware components but some people now complain about how expensive an iPhone can be...

 

[9822737]

Just been on the Google Phone page looking at the specs of this. Seems to be all good and very close to the iPhone ON PAPER. Can't wait to see one, especially interested in seeing what the screen is like, it sounds good.

AnDy

 

[basesloaded190]

read engadgets review on the phone. Its nothing special. They say its a good phone, but nothing earth shattering. I really don't think apple is too worried about this.

 

[Ambrose Chapel]

Now queue the announcement from Apple on Jan 27th that the iPhone will come to Verizon in June. Flat lining sales of this device from VZW.

Fingers crossed.

i was thinking that...however it'd probably severely curtail iPhone sales for the first half of the year. does apple hate att that much?

 

[*LTD*]

"Superphone"?

LOL. It's a smartphone, in the same category as the iPhone. No, Google didn't create a new category, it created an iPhone clone with a fraction of the apps, an ugly UI, and no multitouch.

It's just OK. Not revolutionary. If your product is "just OK" in the same category as Apple's product, then Apple's next product update will consign your product to oblivion, or nearly that.

That's the rule when competing in the same handheld space as Apple.

 

[theheadguy]

Offering people a choice of carriers is very cool. Even better, an indication of who the next carrier will be exactly. Apple: take note.

It's certainly not in a new category of any kind, but calling it an iphone clone is lame -- the iphone may have started the revolution, but it doesn't own it.

 

[Consultant]

Looks like it'll have the same problem as other android phones,
which is app installs are limited by internal storage.

"Superphone"?

LOL. It's a smartphone, in the same category as the iPhone. No, Google didn't create a new category, it created an iPhone clone with a fraction of the apps, an ugly UI, and no multitouch.

Exactly.