Google Nexus One phone (TMobile, VZW, Voda, AT&T-sans-3G)

[jwinslow]

The Real Google Phone: Everything Is Different Now - Android - Gizmodo

It wasn't supposed to exist. "The" Google Phone. Then we (and others) heard otherwise. And now, Google isn't just handing this "sexy beast" out to employees, they're going to sell it directly. Everything has changed. Here's what we know. ? The Wall Street Journal says it's made by HTC and called the Nexus One. It'll be sold online, directly by Google. You'll have to get your own cell service (which suggests it's an unlocked device). Curiously, the WSJ says, "unlike the more than half-dozen Android phones made by phone manufacturers today, Google designed virtually the entire software experience behind the phone." Sounds weird, since they designed the look and feel of the software on the Droid and G1 too, except that our source had told us before that the current Android we know isn't the "real" Android. Also odd sounding: that name, Nexus One. But maybe not that odd.
? Google confirmed they handed out "a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe."

? A bunch of Google employees tweeted stuff like the phone is "like an iPhone on beautifying steroids."

? It's supposedly an unlocked GSM phone running Android 2.1, powered by the crazyfast Snapdragon processor, with an OLED touchscreen (no keyboard), dual mics (for killing background noise), and enhanced voice-to-text powers. It's gonna be alllll Google branding. And it's probably coming out in January. Which jives with what our source saw a couple weeks ago, a huge screen running a brand new version of Android unlike anything out there.
? We heard it was referred to, at least in some capacity in the staff meeting where they were handed out, as the "Passion."

If Google really is going to push this as The Google Phone (and it's not just a dev phone), it's hard to understate just how radically this changes the landscape not just for Android, but what it means for Google and their relationship to the cellphone industry. The Google Phone would be a radically different model, a shift from the Microsoft one?make the software, let somebody else deal with the hardware?to the Apple and BlackBerry one?make the software and the hardware, tightly integrated. And Google's even taking a step further, by selling it directly, bypassing the carriers, at least initially. (Google would not be the first to sell a high-powered unlocked phone?see Sony Ericsson and Nokia?but neither them are, um, Google, and their well-known failures with that approach makes it even ballsier.)

T-Mobile's Pushing the Nexus One Google Phone Because Verizon Said No - Nexus one - Gizmodo

http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no# http://gizmodo.com/5425542/t+mobiles-pushing-the-nexus-one-google-phone-because-verizon-said-no#
If Verizon doesn't want it, it must be good!

 

[BuckeyeTillIDie]

Verizon passing on a sweet phone with tons of upside? No way!

 

[jwinslow]

The Google Phone: what we know... and what we don't -- Engadget

Update: Peter Kafka over at All Things Digital says that T-Mobile is now on-board to sell this device as an unsubsidized, unlocked phone through its retail channels (he claims the big G first went to Verizon, but was turned down). That doesn't really make a lot of sense if the phone does indeed work on both T-Mobile and AT&T 3G networks. We can't see what's in it for T-Mobile in that scenario, unless this were 3G only on its network, like... previous Google dev phones. We can't help but feel there's a crucial piece of this puzzle still missing -- here's hoping we get that info soon.

The phone doesn't really have an official name, though it's obviously being referred to as the Google Phone, and both its user agent string (browser identifier) and EXIF data on pictures taken on the device identify it as the "Nexus One," which we take to be a code name for the phone (it's also a reference to a line of replicants in the film Blade Runner). Some shots identify the device as "Phone 88," apparently an earlier code name. It is highly unlikely it will be released to the public as the Nexus One, in our opinion.

The phone was given to Google employees at an all-hands meeting on Friday, December 10th. The story broke when a number of Googlers tweeted about the phone.

The phone itself appears to be the HTC Dragon / Passion (with at least the specs of the Bravo, which looks to be a variant of the other models). All are Snapdragon-based phones with a 3.7-inch AMOLED displays, 5 megapixel cameras, and no physical keyboards.

There have been rumors (or fact, as stated in the aforementioned WSJ report) that this phone runs a "real" or different version of Android. Based on the pictures we've seen, this is inaccurate. It appears to run a version of Android that looks nearly identical to the version currently found on the Droid (2.0.1) -- Google's latest, most official device. The version number we've heard is Android 2.1, which would not be a drastic departure from 2.0.

There are rumors that if sold, the device will be available unlocked and able to function on both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands. A source tells us that they have spoken with someone with first-hand knowledge, and this is the case, despite earlier rumors that it would only function using T-Mobile's 3G network.

What everyone seems to be ignoring is the fact that Google has created two other "Google Phones" in the past; the Dev Phone 1 (shock, an unlocked phone that Google sold online!), and the Ion. Both were "Google" phones, both were given out to employees early on, and both were built by HTC. They also both went on to become "with Google" devices, and it's entirely possible that the Nexus One is the next generation of those phones. Given the fact that there is currently no developer device with specs similar to Android's current high water mark (the Droid), seeing a new dev phone with a faster CPU, newer version of Android, and higher resolution screen actually makes perfect sense. If we were the betting type, we'd say you were going to see this phone come to market much in the way the myTouch and G1 did -- as official, Google branded devices. Google Phones, if you will.

 

[jwinslow]

Photos from the Nexus One Google Phone - Nexus one - Gizmodo

Excellent resolution, mediocre but not terrible picture quality.

 

[jwinslow]

Regardless of how this phone turns out, bucking the trend is an exciting development in the cell phone market. Now if google would provide internet-based text messages, we'd really have something.

A Few More Nexus One Google Phone Details - Nexus one - Gizmodo

The WSJ follows up their original story, adding things we heard, like that Google might partner with a carrier eventually and that they talked to Verizon and T-Mobile about it. The price is still elusive. Which is what matters at this point, really. The WSJ continues to insist it'll be sold "directly to consumers" (emphasis mine) and Google will "market" it, so let's assume it isn't just a dev or template phone, but a genuine consumer play. Even with Google's enormous weight, a $600—or even $400—unlocked phone does face some harsh realities, even if it does send a strong kind message as The Google Phone. If Google subsidizes it themselves, though, making it actually affordable in a "we just want everybody to use the internet (and therefore, Google)" kind of play, it'd be as huge as everybody panting about it says it would be. If not, well, you know.
Sprint saying they'd support this business model is interesting, BTW—my guess at this point, is that Verizon said no because it likes being deeply involved in, and tied to, the phones on its network. In Verizon's world, it's all about the network, not the phones, so it's easy to see where being reduced to a mere contract service wouldn't sit well with its sense of self.

Still curious, though, are these two bits, that "Google focused more on designing a phone in the past year, one person familiar with its efforts said, as the company battled to get some partners to accept its software" and that "Google designed virtually the entire software experience behind the phone, from the applications that run on it to the look and feel of each screen, they added." 'Cause, uh, haven't they designed the experience and applications on every stock Android phone? And it's weirder still, cause Engadget's close-up photos show 2.1, which, on the face of it, looks a whole lot like 2.0, just with a few new interface elements (more desktops displayed using a webOS card-like interface above, and 3D flourishes). The only thing "more Google-y" is that it comes with Goggles by default. So, um, "huh," I say to the WSJ. We keep hearing first quarter of next year is when Google's loosing this thing, so even if Google's brilliant plan—a sekrit phone in the hands of a thousand people—holds tight, we'll know soon enough what's really going on here. [WSJ, Engadget]

 

[jwinslow]

Google's Nexus One May Be Coming on January 5th - neXus - Gizmodo

Reuters is reporting that, according to an unnamed source, the Nexus One may be subsidized by T-Mobile. A site called Android and Me is claiming that T-Mobile will sell it for $199 with contract, starting on January 5. A January release date sounds reasonable based on what we know about the phone so far, and the information gleaned from the FCC details also makes T-Mobile a potential carrier, should Google take that route. A $199 subsidized price seems like the standard we are seeing elsewhere.

 

[OCBucksFan]

Since google really got it's android exposure with the Droid, they are attacking the rest of the market. Very google, odds are this will please the current whiners on T-mobile who are complaining that the only current android 2.0 phone is on verizon. I still welcome our new google overlords, with open arms.

 

[jwinslow]

Google Nexus One Hands On - Nexus one - Gizmodo

The Nexus One is slightly thinner than the iPhone 3GS, and slightly lighter.
...
You can call the design the antithesis of the Droid: smooth, curved, and light, instead of hard, square and pointy. It feels long and silky and natural in your hand—even more so than the iPhone 3GS.

Even though the screen is the same size and same resolution as the Droid, it's noticeably better. (than the iphone too)

Google just gave Motorola (and Verizon) a swift shot to the TSTS, because the Nexus One is astonishingly faster than the Droid. The speed dominance was most evident when we compared the loading of webpages, but even when you're just scrolling around, launching apps and moving about the OS, you could tell that there's a beefier brain inside the N1. I don't know the specs for sure, but there's talk of a 1GHz processor being inside, which would push it quite a ways above the 550MHz Arm A8 in Motorola's newest toy.
When comparing the three phones in loading a webpage over Wi-Fi, the Nexus One loaded first, the iPhone 3GS came in a few seconds later, and the Droid came in a little while after that. This was constant throughout many webpage loads, so it's indicative of something going on inside with the hardware.

You've no doubt heard about the animated video backgrounds, but they're actually more than just animations: you can interact with them.

What's neat (even if it is superfluous and battery draining) is that you can tap anywhere on the desktop in a blank space and trigger dots to spread out from your tap. Basically, press anywhere to cause blocks to fly outwards. The same thing happens in the "water" background, except instead of blocks, you cause ripples in the water. What's also neat are the two virtual sound meters, which act as a visualizer for whatever music you're currently playing on your phone. There's one analog one that looks like one of the old ones with a red needle, and a "digital" one that looks similar to ones you see elsewhere. Sorta neat in itself, but it shows that the interactive backgrounds can actually interact with apps, as long as one knows the other's APIs.

The 5-megapixel camera is nice, and the flash works well enough for a flash on a phone, but it's not spectacular, as seen by early photos taken and uploaded online by Googlers.

If Google's planning on releasing this phone as their official Google phone, it'll certify them as the premium Android phone brand out there right now. Even though it doesn't have a hardware keyboard, it basically beats the hell out of the Droid in every single task that we threw at it. And face it, some people didn't like the Droid's keyboard because it was too flush and the keys were too unseparated with each other. N1's onscreen keyboard felt fine, and the speedy processor made sure that each key was interpreted well.


But in the end, it's still an Android phone. If you want Android phones, this is the one to get, provided Google goes ahead with the rumored plans of either selling it themselves or partnering with T-Mobile in a more traditional role. Droid, shmoid; Nexus is the one you're looking for.

Thanks Verizon. Clearly we wouldn't want this phone

 

[jwinslow]

Google Nexus One Sold Directly and Only by Google, Officially Supported By T-Mobile - google phone - Gizmodo

Google, with support from T-Mobile, is scheduled to launch a new Android device in early January. The Google Android phone will be sold directly by Google via the Web.
Support for the device including troubleshooting and exchanges will be managed by Google and HTC. T-Mobile will offer service support including billing, coverage, features, and rate plans. Additional details Streamline content regarding the launch of Google's Android phone will be coming in early January.
​

So… Google is simply selling the phone directly for now, as rumored, and T-Mobile will "officially" support it, even though they practically do the same for any unlocked handset on their network. Google and HTC will be fielding support calls from users, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about that. Unless this is only the Android Development 3 phone. But it's not just that. And T-Mobile could possibly subsidize it in or around March. Ok, bye.

 

[jwinslow]

Leaked Nexus One Documents: $530 Unlocked, $180 With T-Mobile - Nexus one - Gizmodo

 

[jwinslow]

Google has knocked it out of the park with this phone.

NSFW around the 2 min mark

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s9NgROMsTo"]YouTube- Broadcast Yourself.[/ame]

 

[Deety]

"Removed due to terms of use violation"

 

[jwinslow]

skunk!

 

[Steve19]

Looks like the HTC Magic, which is thought to be a pretty solid phone here. The latest HTC here is the HTC Hero, which looks like a smoking hot phone.

 

[jwinslow]

The Google Phone Is Here: $180 on Contract, $530 Unlocked - google phone - Gizmodo
Google Opens an Online Storefront For Android Phones - Google - Gizmodo

Live streaming presser:
http://www.shareholder.com/visitors...key=fffbe63674e295a39b5e01910a184515&player=1