Nexus One

Mobile Computing: The Cloud is the killer app

Since the launch of the Nexus One comparisons with the iPhone have been everywhere, and rightly so, as Apple has so far set the standard in smartphone design and user experience. As observed by of the NYT however, major players such as Google, Apple, Microsoft and Yahoo are now competing across ever widening market segments. Whilst the companies started out from very different beginnings we’re now seeing more convergence as their activities increasingly overlap.

Whilst the hardware itself is important, the cloud infrastructure to provide services to new mobile devices will play a decisive role in determining the future of mobile computing. Just as choosing a desktop computer is largely a choice of operating system, choosing a mobile device is also increasingly about which OS a particular device is running, and the cloud infrastructure which supports it. Tim O’Reilly has pointed out that for Apple, great hardware may once again not be enough:

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Nexus Enterprise set to be the next iteration in Google's smartphone line

It might sound like an unlikely mix-up of two sci-fi films but the Nexus Enterprise is rumoured to be the latest device in Google’s Nexus smartphone line. In an Andy Rubin, Google’s Vice President of Engineering mentioned such a device whilst talking about how customers will use the online phone store.

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Nexus One - the less we know the better

It’s been barely a week since the long rumoured Google Phone made it’s first public appearance via Twitter. , and of course have since been awash with speculation over the phone’s capabilities, carrier compatibility, and how Google plans to market and sell it. All this in spite of the only official word from Google being a which merely hints at the existence of the device.

Whether or not this might be a deliberate tactic by Google, designed to fuel interest in the new phone, it seems that rumour is more powerful than truth, and that knowing just some of the facts is far more intriguing than knowing them all. Until Google comes up with an official announcement we can be sure that details will continue to leak, journalist will continue to generate copy, and bloggers will continue to project their vision of the perfect smartphone onto the phantom machine.

What’s interesting about this is not who might end up being right or wrong in their predictions. Sure, there’s been wild speculation and some clearly sensationalist ideas, and also on the other hand some fairly balanced analysis. What’s interesting is that it’s clear that it’s possible to imagine a phone that’s better than anything else that currently exists. And that there’s huge demand for it. It’s clear that many are frustrated with existing subscription models and data plans, fixed-term contracts and poorly designed phones, and can imagine something better. Whether this something better turns out to be the Nexus One or not remains to be seen, but the potential has been well illustrated this week.

It’s clearly significant that it’s Google who is behind this phone, because they’re a large enough player to make a real difference in the market. They have the track-record and the potential to redefine existing boundaries in innovative ways and much of the speculation this week testifies to the belief that Google could be in a position to do this. The real story this week, expressed through speculation and comment on the Nexus One across the internet, is the hope for greater freedom and choice in the mobile arena. Let’s hope that the Nexus One is a step in that direction.

Nexus One apparently lacking multitouch

More details on the Nexus One from  who apparently had a chance to try out the new phone. Although not allowed to take any pictures they report being impressed with the speed and responsiveness of the device. Sure to raise discussion is the observation that there’s no multitouch in the browser or Google maps.

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.

The most interesting thing I’ve read about the Googlephone is the possibility that it will route all voice calls as . This is the “Google wants to be your telephone company scenario” that could quickly put the company at-odds with wireless carriers, Internet service providers, and most of the rest of the telecom universe.

Smart: This would be a living example of net neutrality at work, as this is something the incumbent carriers, with their huge voice infrastructure, would have a hard time accepting. If the Internet isn’t neutral, ISPs could theoretically stop Google’s VOIP plans.

Crazy: Google gives the telephone and cable companies a good example of how VOIP could hurt their bottom line, turn them into mere data pipeline companies, and potentially threaten their survival. This will harden their opposition to net neutrality and could help them find supporters in Congress, who prefer old, stable companies to upshots like Google.

If the Nexus One uses VOIP for voice calls, customers will only need to purchase wireless data service. Whether that will result in savings, or usher in usage-based data pricing is unknown. I suspect the latter.

Or, perhaps, Google will buy wireless data services in bulk and resell them to customers directly, effectively making Google the wireless carrier for the Nexus One.

Nice post on some of the main areas of speculation regarding the Nexus One by .

Rumor #10: The new phone is called the “Google Nexus One”. This is a pretty safe bet because videos of the boot animation have been posted on the internet, and the name Nexus One is clearly visible on the screen. However it might be a code name and not a real product name.

Rumor #9: The Nexus One is made by HTC, and is the same hardware as the Passion, which may or may not be the same as the Dragon. One site called it “Phone 88″. What is it with Android phones and their multiple names anyway? From the pictures, the phone does indeed look like the HTC Passion/Dragon photos that have been circulating, so again, that seems like a safe bet.

Rumor #8: The phone features a 1Ghz (maybe 800MHz) Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a 5 megapixel camera, and 800×480 touchscreen. Earlier this year, HTC came out with a Windows Mobile phone that used the Snapdragon, and the Motorola Droid has a 5 megapixel camera with a 854×480 touchscreen. So all this sounds reasonable.

Rumor #7: The new device will be running Android 2.1, which some people claim is the same as the “Flan” version of Android (the next version after “Eclair”). I don’t know about you, but I’m suffering a little bit of release fatigue at this point. 1.6 came out, then 2.0, then 2.0.1, all in the space of about a month. Do we really believe there will be another new release in another month? Wouldn’t Google have given developers some hint this was coming, like a new SDK or something? Actually Google seems to love to spring new releases on us without warning. If I had to bet, I’d say it will probably be 2.1 but it may or may not be the same as “Flan”. I expect it will be a relatively minor update, with features like animated backgrounds and (maybe) VOIP (see next rumor).

Rumor #6: The phone does not use the conventional network for voice calls. Instead, it uses Voice over IP (VOIP), just like Skype. All you need is a data plan and a 3G or WiFi network. These rumors seem to be fueled by Google’s purchase of gizmo5, a Skype competitor. The story goes that Google Voice will handle your phone calls and voicemail. While this would be pretty cool and drive down costs for consumers I’m doubtful of this one.

Rumor #5: The new phone will use a WiMax radio, and deliver download speeds much faster than 3G. While it’s true that WiMax is being tested in some areas by different carriers, this particular rumor is not supported by FCC leaks on the Nexus One.

Rumor #4: The phone will be able to function as a WiFi router, much like the Verizon MiFi device. This would allow wireless tethering for other WiFi devices in the immediate area, like your laptop. While it’s true that Verizon has had this on their roadmap for the future, it’s hard to see T-Mobile doing it any time soon. I think it would be more useful to allow the phone to function as a USB hub, or at least support some more BlueTooth profiles, so I can use a real keyboard!

Rumor #3: The phone will be available for sale at google.com for the low, low price of $199 on January 5th. This is oddly specific for a rumor, which lends it some credibility. One version of this rumor says that $199 is the carrier-subsidized price - you have to sign up for a 2-year commitment with T-Mobile to get that price. Another version says that Google itself is subsidizing the price. At least we don’t have to wait long to see if this one is true.

Rumor #2: Google will be giving away one of these to each attendee of Google I/O 2010. Google set up this expectation last year when they gave away the Google Ion phone (which later became the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G at retail). One the one hand, I hope this one is true because I’d like to get a free phone. :) On the other hand, it can’t be good business to give a way $4million worth of phones just to get people to come to their conference. And then people will expect one every year.

Rumor #1: This is my favorite one: All the rumors of the Google Phone are false, and the whole thing was made up by Apple. Why would Apple do this? Well, one reason might be to create a rift between Google and its partners like Motorola and Verizon, who it would now be competing with. Another might be to create a massive, impossible to satisfy expectation in users’ minds that will come crashing down on Google when the phone doesn’t materialize. Ok, I know this one isn’t really believable, but it sounded fun. Better get your tin foil hat on now!

via Ed Burnette

Rumor Report

FRANKFURT/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc plans to sell two versions of its own-branded cell phone: one with a service contract with T-Mobile USA and another that is unlocked, a source familiar with the matter said.

Media reports have said that Google will sell an unlocked version of the touch screen phone, allowing consumers to pick a carrier of their choice to provide wireless service.

Another version will be linked to Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA, which will subsidize the cost of the phone for U.S. consumers who agree to a service contract, the source said. Pricing details were not available.