User Reviews: A week with the Nexus One
Jez Currin, creative director of the Media Collective, has been for the last week. He knew nothing about the phone before we asked him to try it out for us and has never used an Android phone before. He uses Apple computers exclusively at work and at home, including an iPod Touch, but has never gotten around to buying himself a smartphone. Would the Nexus One persuade him? We caught up with him after a week to find out what he thought of the device, and how willing he would be to give it back to us.
We should mention that we weren’t looking for a features review of the Nexus One from Jez, as the internet is already awash with technical write-ups. We were more interested to find out what an average user would think of it. And the feedback that we got from him after a week? - “Actually…, I’ve been convinced”.
…the bottom line is, after having it for a week, I guess I would choose this [Nexus One] over the iPhone when I decide to go for a new smartphone.
So whilst it hasn’t convinced him that he needs a new smartphone, it looks like the Nexus One will be at the top of Jez’s list when he does get around to go shopping for one. He also told us that he would never have bothered with the phone if he hadn’t had a chance to spend some hands on time with it, which is interesting in light of Google’s online-only sales strategy.
Most Liked
…it does everything equally well, it’s as competent as an iPhone. This just feels much more comprehensive. You can customise it. You use the iPhone how Apple want you to use it. I can use this in the way that I want to use it. I don’t feel like I have to use it in a predefined way.
Jez seems to most appreciate the flexibility that Android offers him to set-up the phone and customise the interface to suit his workflow. Another plus for him was the removable media, a MiniSD card and the fact that he can easily access all the files stored there from his computer. Whilst this isn’t supposed to be an iPhone comparison, Jez did inevitably end up mentioning the iPhone fairly often as a point of reference.
If you want add a folder with some files in it - you just do it. The iPhone abstracts this functionality away. You never see the files and folders. I can drag photos or mp3’s between the phone and computer without having to manage them through an application like iTunes or iPhoto. I just have more control.
Whilst some would argue that the iPhone’s tightly controlled interface delivers a simpler and more consistent user experience, it’s clear that Jez appreciates the freedom of a more open system. Interestingly, he seems to see this as added functionality, and an improvement on the iPhone OS.
To be honest I can imagine, that if when you gave me this you told me it was Apple’s next version, I would have believed you. It’s got lot’s of similarities to the iPhone, but it’s just a lot more useful in my eyes. It feels more computer like. More powerful.
Most Disliked
Jez was actually fairly generous to the Nexus One overall, with his biggest complaint being interactive wallpapers.
The wallpaper it ships with is just rubbish. When I first switched it on I thought Google had gone insane. It’s just horrible.
He also sticks with the comments that he made about voice input being a bit of a waste of time due to it not being accurate enough.
Overall
This is a review from an average user so we’re not expecting any revelations here. But Jez’s week with the Nexus One does show that the device performed well across-the-board for him to consider it the smartphone to get. It also shows how much he as an average user seems to value the extra freedom for customisation and file sharing. Whilst he’s not rushing down to the shops to get his hands on the new phone just yet, it clearly made an impression.
