The Nexus One which is Google's overhyped Android phone, is in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Verizon was the first to prick the Nexus One bubble when it announced last month it wouldn’t make the Nexus One accessible. This week, the Sprint and Nexus One pairing instantly vaporized. Sprint axed Nexus One after previously saying it would carry the device. Depending on who you talk to, Verizon and Sprint snubbing Nexus One is either one of technology’s greatest failures, or a trivial misstep that doesn’t really matter.
Google web store and also the Nexus One
The Nexus One failure, at first blush, seems clear. Google wanted to make it so you could only purchase the Nexus One within the Google web store. As reported on eWeek, Some experts think the Google web store Nexus One model is evidence that carriers aren’t interested in supporting a device that can’t sell in their own retail stores. Others argue that the Nexus One was just eclipsed by better Android phones.
Sprint Nexus One
Just a couple of months ago, things were looking for Google's Nexus One sales. PC World reports that in mid-March, Sprint announced that it would carry a CDMA version of Google’s Nexus One sometime later this year. Sprint dropped the Nexus One on Monday. Sprint said it would support the upcoming HTC EVO 4G Android phone instead. Sprint likely chose the HTC EVO 4G because it has a larger display screen than the Nexus One, runs on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network and also features the HTC Sense UI. The fact that you could not use your installment loan to buy a Nexus One from Sprint probably didn’t help.
Nexus One and Verizon
The Nexus One/Verizon deal flopped thanks to the HTC Incredible Android phone. The Incredible has about the exact same specs as the Google Nexus One. Both phones also run Android 2.1. What is the biggest difference between the two phones? The Droid Incredible runs HTC's revised Sense UI. Informationweek.com reports the newest version of Sense makes using the Android platform more enjoyable experience.
Nexus One’s Android advantage
Everybody likes a winner, and even before the Sprint and Verizon defections, the Nexus One reputation suffered from original 3G connectivity bugs and low sales figures. PC World said that the remaining advantage Nexus One has over Incredible and EVO is its direct tie to Google’s speedy OS update process. On the HTC Sense UI, a manufacturer-altered versions of Android, updates can take months to reach users.
Without Nexus One, Android thriving
Is Nexus One a failure? Analysts seem to think that Google would be better off without the Nexus One. After its humiliating rejection by major carriers, the Nexus One may be done. All rivals run on Android though which Google doesn't mind. And all the media commotion about smartphone competition, of all things, has raised the profile of Android to the point that Android phones actually outsold Apple’s iPhone last month.
Citations
eWeek
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Nexus-One-Not-a-Failure-Despite-Slights-By-Sprint-Verizon-409079/
PC World reports
http://www.pcworld.com/article/196022/why_sprint_and_verizon_nixed_the_nexus_one.html
Informationweek.com
http://www.informationweek.com/newshome/index.jhtml;jsessionid=1U2VTTNH0NJJRQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN
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