QuickOverview

The Nexus One is a smartphone from Google that uses the Android open source mobile operating system. The device is manufactured by Taiwan's HTC Corporation, and became available on January 5, 2010. Features of the phone include the ability to transcribe voice to text, noise canceling dual microphones, and voice directions while driving. The phone comes unlocked and is not restricted to any particular mobile network provider. Google currently offers it for use on the T-Mobile network in the United States; a version for use on the Verizon (US) and Vodafone (European) networks is expected in the second calendar quarter of 2010. A recent FCC filing also suggests the phone may be released in a version supporting AT&T's 3G data networks in the future.

The Nexus One was originally codenamed the HTC Passion, and a European phone with the same hardware has been documented, called the HTC Bravo, which matches the specifications of the Nexus One, except for the fact that the Bravo features an optical trackpad rather than a trackball and HTC Sense.

Availability

United States

The Nexus One was released on January 5, 2010. The phone is sold via Google's website, at a price of $529 unlocked, or a subsidized $179 when purchased with a T-Mobile two year contract. Several plans are available for subsidized phones - $69.99 per month rate, which includes 500 minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, and unlimited e-mail/data. Other plans include 1000 minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, and unlimited e-mail/data for $79.99, and unlimited minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, and unlimited e-mail/data for $89.99, all plans you can add unlimited texting for $10 a month. Unsubsidized phones have no such limitation. The $179 T-Mobile price is only for individuals who are not currently under contract with T-Mobile. If one currently has a T-Mobile contract, the price of the phone rises to $279.99.

In addition, tax may be charged depending on the state to which the device is shipped. Each order is shipped with free FedEx Overnight shipping, with indirect signature required. Even with engraving delivery is usually the next day after ordering.

Google removed a price level of $379.99 for current T-mobile customers who had a data plan. Those who ordered the phone for 379.99 were refunded $100USD.

T-Mobile contract plans cost $20 per month more than non-contract plans.

For unlocked phones, T-Mobile offers a Prepaid SIM Card Activation Kit for $6.99 on their website and minutes are available at several price points by store bought activation cards, by credit card on the website or at a T-Mobile store. Activation kits are sold online or at retail stores for about $10.

By spring 2010, a Verizon (CDMA) version of the Nexus One will be available in the US.

Worldwide

Around Spring 2010, Google will launch a Vodafone model in Europe, with plans to expand the phone to other carriers and international markets in due course.

Google is making the phone available for delivery to the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong, although native carrier tie-ups have not been finalized for these countries, and the phone will be shipped from the US. Customers ordering from the UK are charged $29.65 international shipping and an optional $19.00 for an AC adaptor, with an additional 17.5% VAT. Singapore applies 7% GST, while Hong Kong does not add any additional taxes. The Nexus One will not ship outside these countries.

Hardware

The Nexus One has a 3.7 inch capacitive touch screen capable of handling multi-touch gestures. It has an illuminated trackball which can emit different colors of light based on the type of notification being received. A voice processor developed by Audience uses a second microphone (on the back) to reduce background noise during phone conversations. A 4-conductor TRRS style 3.5mm stereo headset jack is also provided, adding microphone function to the stereo earphones.

The phone features a 5.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash and digital zoom, GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and 802.11b/g WiFi capabilities. The Snapdragon processor allows for many advanced capabilities including 720p video playback. There is built in hardware decoding for H.263, H.264 and MPEG-4 video, and is capable of playing MP3, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, and MIDI audio, and displaying the JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP image formats. It has a micro USB port instead of the common mini-USB port, or HTC's mini-USB compatible format (ExtUSB). The microSD card slot allows expansion up to 32 gigabytes of card storage. Applications can only be installed to the 512 MB internal flash memory, of which 190 MB are available for that purpose. During unveiling, it was mentioned that Google may eventually lift this restriction after addressing security issues.

A third party analysis by iSuppli estimates the cost of hardware components to be around $175.

Cellular

The phone's radio circuitry covers most major GSM and 3G providers in the US, Europe and Asia, with the notable exception of the 850MHz and 1900MHz UMTS 3G bands used by AT&T (of USA), Bell Mobility, Telus, and Rogers (of Canada), Movistar (Latin America), Telcel (Latin America), Telstra Australia's Next-G, all carriers in Latin America and has been confirmed to work on O2 and T-Mobile in the United Kingdom. Because the phone lacks these frequency bands, it is not compatible with the 3G networks of any of the above carriers, although 2G can be used. Although, when used with Telstra, the phone is also able to roam on 3's 2100MHz 3G network, before being forced to use 2G.

The GSM radio frequencies covered are 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 along with UMTS frequency bands 1 (2100MHz), 4 (1700MHz), and 8 (900MHz).

Software

The Nexus One runs the Google Android 2.1 operating system. The 2.1 firmware version of the Android operating system adds a few aesthetic changes such as "Live Wallpapers" which are animated in the background and react to different user inputs. By December 2009 Android-based phones have access to more than 20,000 applications through the Android Market. It also replaces the "Application Drawer" with a single button which can be pressed to access the list of applications installed on the phone. This thumbnail list can be scrolled up and down and as it's scrolled, the applications roll up into a 3D cube instead of disappearing from the screen. Once the bottom of the application thumbnail list is hit, the screen bounces off similar to the iPhone functionality.

The integrated Media Gallery, developed by Cooliris, provides several new features allowing the user to browse, edit, and share photos and videos on the phone.

On February 2, 2010 announced an over-the air update for the Nexus One. It adds pinch-to-zoom functionality to the web browser, gallery, and maps applications. In addition it adds Google Goggles natively and fixes many of the 3G connectivity issues reported by T-Mobile users.

Hacking and modifications

Users are able to root the device by unlocking its bootloader using the fastboot command "fastboot oem unlock". Unlocking the bootloader allows the user to install other firmware images that give the user root access, and even other bootloaders. Obtaining root privileges enables a user to override protected operating system features, install arbitrary software and enable internet tethering to share the phone's 3G network connection via a wireless LAN, among other things. Upon running the fastboot command, the user is presented with a Google-created screen stating that unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty. The popular CyanogenMod build of Android has already been released for the device.

Comparison with other phones

Total cost of ownership can be lower when compared to other smartphones. If use of the product is limited to free wireless LAN networks, the cost would be $529 for the lifetime of the phone. Adding phone service without data is available economically via T-Mobile prepaid minute plans.

On the Google offered T-Mobile network, an unlimited usage plan is $2,448.76 for the first two years, whereas an unlimited use plan for two years with an iPhone is $3,799. (Both prices include phone purchase costs but exclude taxes and fees.)

The multi-touch experience of the Nexus One is similar to that of other multi-touch enabled smartphones (iPhone, Palm Pre, etc). Nexus One has hardware and software multi-touch capability and as of an update released February 2, 2010 it has pinch-to-zoom functionality in the phone's Browser, Gallery and Maps applications. In addition to these official applications, 3rd party apps that support multi-touch gestures are readily available.

The Nexus One is thinner than the iPhone and can be easily synchronized with all Google applications, such as Gmail, Google Contacts and Google Calendar.

The Nexus One has also become the first smartphone to beat the iPhone 3GS in CNET's comparison show, Prizefight.

Criticism

Full support for push email, calendar, and contact sync when working with a variety of Microsoft Exchange Servers, such as those that specify device security restrictions, is not included in the currently shipped Android operating system, however third party applications with better support, such as TouchDown, K-9 Mail and Moxier Mail, are available from the Android Market.

The Nexus one reportedly had problems with 3G connectivity and touchscreen at launch. Updates have since been issued for the operating system, including the addition of multi-touch capabilities in the Android web browser and Google Maps functions. While the updates have reportedly also somewhat improved 3G connectivity, it is unclear if user complaints are the result of a deficiency with the device or the carrier networks' 3G coverage.

At launch, Google only provided support through its online services, and customers could only ask and receive help by email. On February 8, 2010, Google launched a Nexus One order support line. Phone owners can call +1-888-48-NEXUS (63987) between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. PST and reach live agents for assistance with order related inquiries.

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