Image Credit: Nexus One Blog
Although tomorrow is the expected official launch of Google’s Nexus One handset, a few lucky folks already have the product. Both Engadget and the Nexus One Blog shared hands-on video and review impressions over the weekend, but initial thoughts actually seem varied. Engadget doesn’t seem to think that the experience is all that much faster than that of a Motorola Droid. I also noticed a few crashes with the new “Live Wallpaper” feature. On the other hand, you’re hard pressed to see any negative bits in the Nexus One Blog review, although that piece also mentions the same crashes.
At this point, given all that we know and have seen so far, I’m 90-percent sure that I’ll be adding a Nexus One to my gear bag this week. The growth, momentum and maturity of Android makes it appealing as a good tool for my tasks. I’m going to hedge my bets and buy it unlocked without a two-year commitment, however. I really don’t want yet another long term contract, for starters. I’m also giving my Palm Pre a bit of breathing room in case there are major developments coming from Palm at CES. Ideally, I’d like a no-commitment data-only plan with the Nexus One because I use data far more than voice these days. And that gets me into what I hope to hear from Google at tomorrow’s press event — something other than the cellular status quo.
The whole idea of the Nexus One working with just a single phone plan as many have reported just doesn’t seem… Google-ish to me, for lack of a better term. It could well turn out that way tomorrow, and if it does, it won’t change my mind. But Google has the potential to do so much more to change the carrier landscape. I’m really hoping they announce an upcoming firmware update that ties a Google Voice number to Gizmo for true VoIP calling without a voice plan.
Those are my plans and thoughts on the Nexus One — which are subject to change tomorrow, of course. ;) What about you? Is this a must-have bit of hardware or are you put off by the anticipated $530 unlocked price and/or $180 cost with commitment?
$530 really isn’t a bad price for this. The HTC Hero NAM costs more, and is less equipped.
I really hope there is more to this thing than we already now. Because to me it looks like another average-looking well-equipped android phone made by HTC. I just don’t understand what should be so special about it, although I am in a market for a new phone and would love to see some fresh air in this area.
BTW – does anybody think Apple is going to launch a new iPhone this year? I might just wait what they will come up with…
i will NEVER do another contract again, even if i keep a phone 2yrs anyways & waste my money. the piece of mind knowing im not locked in will be well worth it.
i think we are getting to a saturation point that theres nothing Apple, Palm, Google can do anymore to “WOW” us & thats a good thing. i am getting so tired of constant general cellphone hype only to be followed by the general disappoint. those are the 3 companies to watch in my eyes, clearly the companies taking us into the future. dont care how many BB’s are sold, still not interested.
I’m just waiting for the order page to go love to place my order for an unlocked device. I’m really crossing my fingers for that rumor of a second 850MHz 3G enabled version to be announced tomorrow, but I’ll purchase on regardless. Honestly, from a software perspective, I really don’t see what this device has to bring to the table. HTC has done a much better job taking advantage of Android’s open nature with Sense. From a hardware perspective, I’m really looking forward to having Android running on a Snapdragon chip. Overall, I think the biggest impact is going to be the fact that the device will be sold unlocked. I know it sounds silly to say that in a country which has 90% of cellphones purchased via subsidy, but there has to be a first step in order to reach the second, and the third, etc… I think 20 years down the line, the wireless industry will be very different, and this could be the beginning of that change.
What I was hoping for from the “Google Phone”:
1) 5 row physical keyboard (like the G1 … or, really, more like the Touch Pro 2, with a tilt screen)
2) dpad
3) 4.1″ 854×480 multi-touch screen (with software that makes use of the multi-touch)
4) quadband GSM, UMTS with support for Euro, Asian, AT&T, and T-Mobile-USA
5) sold completely unbranded and unlocked
6) built-in tethering and mifi support (USB tethering, BT DUN, BT PAN, and Wifi/Mifi tethering)
7) Full Google experience
8) .75GB RAM (like the N900)
9) 2GB storage (like the N900)
That’s what I’m hoping for, from an Android device, in the near future. And I hoped that Google putting their weight behind an official, and “kick the others in the pants”, Android device would get us there. So, I’m more than a little disappointed in the Nexus One.
I know this doesn’t bode well for the Nexus, but I believe the N900 actually has 32GB of storage.
doh! you’re right. It was the N810 that came with 2GB built in.
Still, I’d settle for 2GB of internal storage. But 32GB would be pretty dreamy.
I think the term ‘no game changing features’ is going to be thrown around a lot on the Nexus One. While, I don’t think it is going upset the ‘apple’cart, I still feel it has enough features to be Android’s best and hence more mainstream than the Nokia N900. The voice to text feature is something I am really looking forward to on the Nexus One.
My thoughts are that Google and Apple can do all they can to come up with compelling hardware and software as they generally do, but its the Carriers that have the stranglehold on the marketplace in the U.S. We are finally getting devices that fit our needs nicely, but they have to be coupled with a large price tag unsubsidized or an antiquated 2 year contract that nowadays far outlives the usefulness of the device. I, like some users here use much more data than voice and its near impossible to get a data only plan. I realize we have to start somewhere, but without a shakeup at the Carrier level we will just be seeing the same complaints for the next few years. Now if tomorrows announcement puts google voice and gizmo on the table that would be the best solution for a lot of us.
Kevin,
RE: “Nexus One working with just a single phone plan.”
Although rumor is that the Nexus One will only be available subsidized with a single T-Mobile plan, it will work with any calling plan if purchased unsubsidized. (Of course if you want data, you would need to purchase a data plan.)
– Will
Logic dictates that you’re correct, Will, but I’m waiting to hear for sure tomorrow. I actually only want a data plan, to be honest.
Hmm… run a separate voice plan (or non at all)? Even without VOIP apps, a data only plan may be right for some people. I could almost see doing that, but I wouldn’t want to carry a prepaid phone as well… I’d be worth it for me to also have voice service.
I’m thinking of using my existing $29.99/month voice and add unlimited txt and unlimited data for a total of $59.99/month… if that’ll work! (Praying for that!)
That means I’d shell out $530 for unsubsidized (if that price is correct) and save $20/month off the monthly feeds compared to buying subsidized.
$20 saved per monthy *24 months + $180 (subs. price) = $660
…compared to unsubsidized price of $530. Total savings over 2 years would be $130.
I think I got that right. :-)
will this be releasing in india also on jan 5th or not???
simple UMA calling would justify shelling out the bucks for it.
it’s the only thing my g-1 doesn’t do that i want it to.