The Nexus One: A slick developer unit to fight against forks
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I played with a Nexus One this morning. The notorious Google phone is sleek and quick. Exactly what you’ve come to expect from HTC these days, but improved by the fact that the carriers aren’t looking over their shoulders and imposing their will.
I agree with Gruber, the trackball on a touchscreen phone is completely redundant. You’d completely forget it’s presence during normal usage except for the fact that the phone is so slick that the ball sticks out like a sore thumb.
To me, the trackball further confirms the idea that this is a phone for developers. The trackball is included to ensure app compatibility for a line of cheaper, non-touchscreen Android phones which are sure to emerge.
The Nexus One is important not because it will rework the carrier/handset model, but because it will serve as a universal developer unit to counter forking versions of Android. It’s the common denominator going forwards, and any professional Android app will be tested on it.