A new way to buy a phone, and the Nexus One from Google

Google Inc has unveiled what it calls “a new way for consumers to purchase an Android mobile phone,” a web store hosted by Google, with its own first phone retailed there. The Nexus One combines the latest in hardware from HTC Corporation with the newest Android software. Google said the goal of its new consumer channel is to provide an efficient way to connect Google's online users with selected Android phones. The online experience of the web store has been designed with a focus on simplicity.

Consumers, in the US presently, can buy the Nexus One without service or “unlocked” for any GSM network SIM card, or with service from any of Google's operator partners. Google says as it markets more phones through this channel, consumers will be able to match a phone of their choice with the a service plan that best meets their needs. Operator prices and plan details would also 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."

HTC CEO Peter Chou said, "The Nexus One represents the unique combination of design and innovation two companies like Google and HTC can have when they collaborate. It continues HTC’s strategy of offering people a portfolio of phones that meet their diverse needs."

Nexus One retails at the Google web store in the US without service for $529, or starting at $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile USA. Google said that in the near future, Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone in Europe plan to offer services to customers in their respective geographies, and the coming months would see Google partnering with additional operators, offering consumers access to a broad set of service plans. “In the future we expect to launch more phones with Android handset partners and to expand the web store to more countries,” it said in a statement.


Hardware Features

• Display: 3.7" AMOLED 480x800 WVGA display
• Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
• Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
• Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
• Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
• Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
• Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
• Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
• Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
• Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
• Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive

The Nexus One runs on Android 2.1, a version of the platform's Eclair software, which offers advanced applications and features including:

• Google Maps Navigation: offering turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
• Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Exchange support.
• Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook®.
• Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
• Android Market: access to more than 18,000 applications

• Enter text without typing.
• Use a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields: speak a text message, instant message, tweet, Facebook update, or complete an email.
• Tell your phone what you want it to do.
• Search Google, call contacts, or get driving directions by just speaking into your phone.
• Take personalization to the next level.
• Dynamic, interactive, live wallpapers react to the touch of a finger.
• More widgets and five home screen panels allow for further device customization.
• Capture camera-quality pictures and video with your device.
• 5 megapixel camera includes LED flash, auto focus, zoom, white balance and color effects.
• View pictures and Picasa Web Albums in the new 3D Gallery.
• Record Hi-Res MPEG4 video, and then upload to YouTube with one click.
• Read your voicemail messages.
• Get transcribed voicemail with Google Voice integration, without changing your number.