“Nexus One changes in availability”

5/14/2010 09:30:00 AM

“We launched Nexus One in January with two goals in mind: to introduce a beacon of innovation among Android handsets, and to make it quick and easy for people to buy an Android phone. We’re very happy with the adoption of Android in general, and the innovation delivered through Nexus One. Already, a lot of the innovation that went into creating Nexus One has found its way into numerous Android handsets, like the HTC Evo 4G from Sprint and the Verizon Droid Incredible by HTC.
But, as with every innovation, some parts worked better than others. While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not. It’s remained a niche channel for early adopters, but it’s clear that many customers like a hands-on experience before buying a phone, and they also want a wide range of service plans to chose from.
So today we’re announcing the following changes:
More retail availability. As we make Nexus One available in more countries we’ll follow the same model we’ve adopted in Europe, where we're working with partners to offer Nexus One to consumers through existing retail channels. We’ll shift to a similar model globally.
From retail to viewing. Once we have increased the availability of Nexus One devices in stores, we'll stop selling handsets via the web store, and will instead use it as an online store window to showcase a variety of Android phones available globally.
Innovation requires constant iteration. We believe that the changes we're announcing today will help get more phones to more people quicker, which is good for the entire Android ecosystem: users, partners and also Google.
Posted by Andy Rubin, VP, Engineering”

Source: Nexus Cell Phone VIA Google Blog. It should be pointed out that this move has nothing to do with Nexus One. The Phone is one of the Best Rated Smartphone's. It has also been seen in the wild running Android Froyo 2.2 OS. The Nexus One is developers preferred phone and will receive all the major OS update first. So don't think for a second the G Phone is going away. In fact this move could put the Smartphone in even more pockets.

Here what Google had to say:
"An update on Nexus One partnerships"
"When we launched Nexus One in January, we announced partnerships with Vodafone in Europe and Verizon Wireless in the US. We have news on both fronts.

Today, Vodafone begins accepting pre-orders for Nexus One from customers in the United Kingdom at Vodafone and on April 30th Vodafone will start selling Nexus One in their UK stores, online, and over the phone. Soon after, they will also begin selling Nexus One in France (SFR), Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. Vodafone is our first European partner to distribute the Nexus One."

In the US, if you’ve been waiting for the Nexus One for Verizon Wireless’ network, head over to Verizon Wireless to pre-order the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful new Android phone and a cousin of the Nexus One that is similarly feature-packed. It will be available in stores on April 29th.

We are very pleased with the amazing pace of innovation and strength of the Android ecosystem and to be working with partners around the world to bring the Android experience to more people."

A final word: "For Verizon's network, you can buy the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful Android phone and similarly feature-packed cousin of the Nexus One"

So its pretty clear that we will not have a CDMA Nexus One on The Verizon Network anytime soon. Never know though.  We didn't need to wait for our Incredible. It arrived yesterday.

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.