Nexus One

Verizon compatible Nexus One launch could be imminent

The rumoured launch date of 23rd March for a Verizon compatible Nexus One has come and gone, and although it’s certain that a CDMA version of the phone exists, and has even left the HTC factory, a specific launch date is still proving elusive. 

Verizon customers looking to get their hands on a Nexus One may not have much longer to wait however, if a recent screen-grab by a NexusOneForum user proves accurate. NexusOneLove reports a Verizon subsidised Nexus One making a brief appearance on Google’s phone store, available to buy for $199 before being removed a few minutes later. This could of course be the work of an over-eager fan trying out their photoshop skills, but it may just be that we’ve glimpsed the Verizon Nexus One being added to the online phone store in preparation for an imminent launch. 

Possible Nexus One with AT&T 3G support passes through the FCC

A new handset from HTC bearing a model number very similar to the Nexus One, has just passed through the FCC. The test documents reveal very little about the phone, as HTC has as usual requested that the FCC keep all details confidential. The model number of the device is PB99110 (the Nexus One carries the model number PB99100) and will support Quad-Band GSM, WCDMA bands I, II and V, Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11b/g.

Google have said that they will be expanding their Nexus One offering to support a wider range of networks and carriers and it looks like this could be a first step towards that. The added support for WCDMA II and V means that this handset will be able to use AT&T’s 3G network in the U.S. It will also support other 3G networks using these bands like Telstra Australia’s Next-G, Rogers of Canada and all carriers in Latin America.

Those hoping for a Verizon or Sprint version of the phone will have to wait a bit longer however as this filing shows no support for their CDMA network. Google have said that they will have a CDMA compatible version of the handset available in the spring.

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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Rumour Report: Nexus One could have multi-touch in European model

A report on claims that a Nexus One unit displayed at CES indicated that a European version of the handset could support multi-touch gestures when it becomes available with Vodafone in spring this year.

Multi-touch on Android seems to be more a question of patents than of technical feasibility. Apple has laid claim to protection for multi-touch gestures on touch-screens in the US, but it’s conceivable that non-US versions of the phone could come with the technology enabled when launched later this year.

There is in fact already a precedent for this as the US version of the Droid/Milestone does not support multi-touch capabilities whilst the European Milestone does.

Update: Andy Rubin has poured cold water on this rumour during a with the Wall Street Journal. Rubin expresses a preference to be able to operate his phone entirely with one hand rather than using two hands as is often the case when performing a pinch gesture, so it would seem to be more a question of design choice than patents.

Rumour: Nexus One to ship outside the US starting today

According to the Nexus One purchase agreement which was briefly available on Google’s website for a few minutes today, the phone will be available for shipment outside the US following the official announcement from Google Headquarters at 10am Pacific Time (6pm GMT). This means that the unlocked device should be available to buy direct from Google’s website and be available for shipping to the UK from later on today. The unlocked version of the phone is expected to sell for $530 if earlier leaks prove to be accurate.

Rumour: no Nexus One for T-Mobile UK

We’ve just received a tip from someone saying that they’ve seen an email from T-Mobile UK which indicates that they won’t be offering a Nexus One handset, at least for the first quarter of 2010. This could mean that whilst T-Mobile in the US are likely to offer a subsidised version of the handset, T-Mobile users in the UK will initially have to buy the phone directly from Google.

Nexus One Jan 5th sales launch gets confirmed by a T-Mobile employee

AndroidGuys:

After heading to the mall yesterday in Albany, New York to clear up a few problems with my T-Mobile bill, I  asked a T-Mobile store manager about the upcoming release of the Nexus One phone and the rumors that have  it launching on T-Mobile USA.

He told me me straight out that it is coming to T-Mobile USA one week after Google starts selling them from their website on January 5th, 2010.

This would appear to confirm that the Nexus One will be available for sale from Google via their website from the 5th January launch (we’re assuming worldwide) and that T-Mobile will start sales one week later in the US. Still no word yet on when European carriers will start selling the phone.

Update:  are claiming that a source from Orange UK has told them that Google are planning to move their planned March sales launch forward in order to have the Nexus One out early as possible in advance of a new iPhone announcement. This according to them would mean that the Google handset could be available in the UK by mid-late February.

Rumour Report - initial Nexus One retail sales by invite only

Engaget is reporting that they’ve had a tip which suggests that initial retail sales of the Nexus One may in true Google fashion be by invite only. This has a ring of truth to it as it is similar to the way in which Google have launched many of their software services including Gmail, Google Analytics and Google Wave, all of which were initially invite only services. Through this method Google has been able to better manage the rate of growth whilst maintaining consistent service and fuelling interest. If true that they plan to launch the Nexus One in the same way, it is possible that initial handsets from Google could be hard to come by in January.

Nexus One - Price Rumour

Here’s the price: $199 unlocked in stores. $100 rebate online if you have an active and old Google account. That $100 rebate is either to buy it $99 online from Google’s online phone store, for using on Android Marketplace or for using on any Google Checkout stores. Can also be used for T-Mobile or AT&T pre-paid Data SIM card service at $29 per month, no contracts required.

This rumour via Charbax. We’ll soon find out how accurate this proves to be but it doesn’t sound entirely un-plausible to us. Time will tell.

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.

Rumor Report

1.) It’s going to be $199, subsidized by Google. That is pretty game changing from a cell phone sales perspective. Sounds like Google is going to make a big push to get a good Android handset into as many people’s hands as possible.

2.) They are apparently working on some new 3D UI elements for Android.

3.) GSM at first, CDMA version will follow.

via AndroidAndMe