Over two years ago was when Google announced it was buying android and starting a group to work on it. Then the SDK was released and T-Mobile and Big G released what most thought was the first G-Phone. The HTC G1.
We had the G1 being sold to the public and a developers version for the group working on the OS. Knowone truly knew what direction the company would take, but those of us use to working with the King Of Search trusted it would be good. We purchased our first Gphone domain in 2006.

Along comes Droid and Eris and wahla the world is Android crazy. All of a sudden we have a boat load of experts and websites. Whats happening we are asking Our little world of Android is now popular. We knew it would come. You know how when you know something will happen,but don't want to believe it, then it happens and your taken back. That's how we feel around here.

So when we saw the trending topic the weekend of Dec 11 we are asking ourselves. Whats this The phone is already here. Its the Droid. It has the Google brand on it.

The argument turned to those phones aren't G-Phones because they are made by another company then that they are co branded. Non of this makes any sense. Very few tech or device companies build there own hardware.

Well in the end what happened is Google decided to Dog Food a Phone. That's G's term for beta testing. We saw it with Google Goggles. The visual search function. Its not new.
The bloggers and Tech guys spotted some tweets from employees after they received there Dog Food (GPhones) Friday 12/11/09.

Here's what the Official Google Mobile Blog said.
"Saturday, December 12, 2009 8:58 AM

At Google, we are constantly experimenting with new products and technologies, and often ask employees to test these products for quick feedback and suggestions for improvements in a process we call dogfooding (from "eating your own dogfood"). Well this holiday season, we are taking dogfooding to a new level.

We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is 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. This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.

Unfortunately, because dogfooding is a process exclusively for Google employees, we cannot share specific product details. We hope to share more after our dogfood diet."

After it was finally confirmed employees where given the Dog Food trends on the Internet turned to "Is The A Google Phone"? Well that all depends on your definition.

I submit to the world that the Nexus One as its being called is nothing more than a developers phone. What I think they have done was wait for the SDK to be updated and the firmwire 2.0.1 or better update to be released then give the phones to employee's to develop.

That's how Google does things. They set something up and then let the group or community build it. Then they wait to see which direction the project takes. Why pay someone to develop something when you can give them the tools and reap the benefits of others work.

It doesn't matter what you call the phone employees received as a Christmas gift the phone will evolve before any of us get it. It won't be the same tomorrow as it is today. That's what Android is about.

We believe the company simply gave the employee's the most powerful updated version of the developers phone which is the model for the first Google Phone aka Nexus Cell Phones.

So around here the definition of a "Google Phone" is a phone that is branded by G and built by the community. That's what G's method of operation normally is.

So back to the weekend hype. It was really to do with nothing. The concept of the Google Phone has been around for a couple years. Just because you read in the NY Times or Washington Post that Google Phone has arrived is mute. Its been here all along.

Android and Google Phone is a state of mind. Not self indulging hype to sell phones on the Holidays. You know who you are.

What is true is that Google is entering the retail market with a phone branded for them and built by HTC. Unlocked or what its called doesn't really matter. What that phone turns out to be remains to be seen. The company changing the way we use cell phones is the real news.

The definition of Nexus is very appropriate for the company.
noun, plural nex?us?es, nex?us.
1. a means of connection; tie; link.
2. a connected series or group.
3. the core or center, as of a matter or situation.
4. Cell Biology. a specialized area of the cell membrane involved in intercellular communication and adhesion.