Yesterday Google, working with its partners, made the Nexus One 'super phone' available directly from the Google web site. It comes SIM and ROM unlocked, available either stand-alone or with a contract from an expanding list of carriers (currently T Mobile US). It's a platform for mobile innovation with an emphasis on simplicity -- for consumers and developers alike.
I first ranted about the phone I really wanted in June 2007
In June of 2007, shortly after the iPhone release, I first ranted about the phone I really wanted. At the time I (like many others) termed it the gPhone - a device sold by Google, tightly integrated with the Google services that were a vital part of my life, and with a slick form factor and powerful development platform beneath it.
By October of that year Google moved most of the services that were missing into the mobile cloud before the November release of the first preview Android SDK changed the mobile world (and mine).
Full Webkit-based browsers on smartphones brought all the websites I needed direct to my phone, and Android provided an incredible platform on which to explore the development possibilities of a mobile extra-sensory device.
In September of 2008 the G1 launched in the US for $180 with contract on T-Mobile, and we finally had hardware on which to run our Android applications. By December of 2009 nearly 20 different devices were available, in 48 countries and on 59 different carriers.
Now, the Nexus One joins the Android menagerie, and a welcome addition it is.
I can tell you it's easily the nicest phone I've had the pleasure of using
Having played with this device for a while, I can tell you it's easily the nicest phone I've had the pleasure of using. The screen is ridiculously clear and bright, the form factor has just the right balance between "sleek" and "robust", and Android 2.1 includes most of the stuff I've been hoping for since 1.0.
I particularly like:
- The new Picasaweb integrated Gallery which is simply too cool to describe with mere words
- Multiple email providers (one device for work and home!)
- Multiple contact providers (work contacts, meet home contacts. And Facebook contacts)
- Live Wallpaper (because they are TOO AWESOME)
This direct to consumer model is going to further increase the rate of mobile innovation -- for hardware, the Android platform, and apps.
A year ago there was one Android phone and a handful of apps. Today there are 20 phones and 18,000 apps. Today we have our first Google Super Phone, tomorrow looks... exciting.
