Google is holding a press conference tomorrow where it will unveil the latest in Android OS, including version 2.1 and supposedly the Nexus One phone. There are some rumors of new apps making an appearance at the presser, but the hardware is what everyone is amped about. If you haven’t been keeping up with the Nexus One, here’s the info thus far:
Specs
- 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU
- Android OS 2.1
- 3.7-inch 480×800 OLED screen
- 512MB ROM
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB MicroSD card (expandable to 32GB)
- 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and mechanical autofocus
- 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- 4.6×2.3×0.45-inches (HWD)
The real highlight here is the Snapdragon processor, which will make the Nexus One the fastest Android phone on the market, beating out Motorola’s Droid for Verizon. Other than that, the specs are great, but not extraordinary — almost all of them are matched or surpassed in other Android products. If you can forgo a physical keyboard, the early reviews indicate that this is the Android phone to get. If virtual keyboards don’t work for you, the Droid is the way to go.
Where the Nexus One gets a little funky is with its pricing. Gizmodo unearthed some alleged sales details:
- It will cost $530 unsubsidized, directly from Google
- It will also be available for $180 through T-Mobile, with a two-year contract required
- If purchased through T-Mobile, only one plan is available — $79.99 for 500 minutes of talk time, unlimited text, and unlimited data
- Existing T-Mobile customers will have to switch to the aforementioned plan if they want to purchase the phone at the subsidized price
- Customers can only purchase five phones per Google account
- The phone is available to Google customers outside the U.S.
It’s interesting that only one plan is (supposedly) available if you want to purchase the phone at a subsidized price. For many consumers, 500 minutes is simply not enough. The latest rumors say that Google plans to unveil tighter Google Voice integration with Android and the Nexus One would use the service for calls when 3G or WiFi is available; the theory is that it will only pull from the 500-minute bucket when the signal drops to Edge. I’m not buying the rumor, simply because T-Mobile’s 3G network — which made huge strides in 2009 — is way behind the other three major American carriers on a national level.
After flirting with the idea of picking up a Nokia N900, I’m seriously considering picking up a Nexus One. The only thing that’s stopping me is my preference for physical keyboards. I’m also curious to see what other surprises (if any) Google has up its sleeve. A lot of tech bloggers have already denounced the product and the initiative, even though information hasn’t been officially revealed. While I didn’t expect Google to shake up the mobile industry, I was hoping for more from Google foray into the consumer electronics space.
Any of you interested in the Nexus One? Would you buy one at $530? How about for the subsidized price?
[Images from Nexus One Blog]
If T-Mobile had broader coverage in my area, I'd do it. Hypothetically since the phone can only use T-Mobile 3G, I'd do the subsidized route since there is no benefit to the full price. I don't know how much you could lower the bill by and multiply it by 24 to see if it comes out cheaper.
If I were for whatever reason to buy this phone outright…I'd choose the Nokia N900 over it. Pretty much the same price, but the Nokia has flash…right now…and runs only on T-Mobile 3G.
@Smartguy The language isn't clear, but there's a chance you can pick whatever T-Mobile plan you want if you pay full price for the phone. You could save money in the long run.
The N900 is really tempting. The camera is much better and it offers the best mobile browsing experience around. I do worry about the future of Maemo and app development.
Btw, I recall you mentioning that the N900's resistive screen was a drawback for you. Why is that? It works quite well. Both types have their advantages, but so many people write off resistive simply because it's not what the iPhone uses. I'm sure that's not the case with you, but I was wondering why don't like resistive screens.
I've been w/ T-Mobile for a long time now, and I still cram as much as I can out of my G1 … so yeah, I'll end up getting a Nexus One. I don't think I'll get the subsidized one though. I've been with 'em long enough that I pay about what they want for unlimited everything and I'm not ready to give that up, Google Voice or not. If the rumors hold true, I'll suck it up and shell out the $530 sooner or later.
I WAS interested until the whole AT&T thing became a bust. I doubt I'd ever switch companies just for a phone no matter how enticing it might be. It saddens me that I can't use this phone or even the AT&T phone that has the Snapdragon in it.
Oh well I can wait for something else new to come out I guess.
@Ray
I just think the resistive screen isn't as slick when it comes to browsing the net just using a touchscreen. The N900 would make up for it with other inputs though.
I know it will be a sheeple moment for me, but the Iphone really sold me on the difference in the screen types. (make fun of me now)