Nexus One

Five Short Links: 18th March 2010

• Sprint issues a press release confirming that the Nexus One will be available on their network in the US. Pricing and availability to be announced soon.

• Google on Nexus One sales asserting that the company’s primary interest is in overall Android handset sales rather than sales of any individual handset.

  We’re pleased with our sales volumes and with how well the Nexus One has been received by our customers. The Nexus One is one of a fast growing number of Android handsets which have been brought to market through the open Android ecosystem. Our partners are shipping more than 60,000 Android handsets each day compared with 30,000 just three months ago.

• that the Android Market now boasts 30,000 applications, almost double the 16,000 apps that it contained 3 months ago in December 2009. Impressive growth.

• HTC issues a  stating that it intends to fully defend itself against Apple’s . Good news for Android.

• thinks that Apple’s lawsuit against HTC is a bluff. Here’s reason 6 from 8 reasons why Apple is suing HTC and not Google:

  The patent claims are likely not as sure as they appear. Since most of the claims are really about Android, Google is the more sensible target of any lawsuit. If Apple lawyers were truly confident of winning against Google — and in reasonable timeframe, they would file a lawsuit against the search giant.

  The is worth a read for those following the Apple vs HTC case. 

Nexus One: CDMA version approved by the FCC for Verizon and Sprint

We’ve known for a while that a CDMA compatible version of the Nexus One would be available in the Spring, and it looks like this very same handset, bearing the model number PB99300, has just been approved by the FCC. Now that it has cleared regulator approval it will be heading to the Verizon network, as announced by Google at the Nexus One launch, and to also Sprint according to a recent report. We still don’t have an official launch date but progress through the FCC indicates that things are still on target for a launch this Spring.

Adding this to what we know from another recent FCC filing it seems that there are so far three Nexus One variants:

• PB99100 - The handset which premiered on 5th January, currently the only model available to buy from Google’s phone store.

• PB99110 - Recently spotted passing though the FCC. Adds support for WCDMA bands II and V meaning that it will work with AT&T’s 3G Network in the US.

• PB99300 - The CDMA version of the phone which has just received FCC approval. Available in Spring 2010.

It’s possible that the PB99110 could be replacement for the current Nexus One, rather than addition to the range, as it has all the same capabilities but also supports AT&T 3G (plus other networks who use the WCDMA II and V bands).

This would things fairly simple for Nexus One customers who would have the choice of buying either the ‘300 Verizon/Sprint CDMA version or the ‘110, which is likely to work on all other major networks across the world.

Nexus One to support Sprint 3G

Following a recent FCC filing we know already that we’re likely to see a version of the Nexus One announced soon which will support AT&T’s 3G network, as well as other international carriers who use the same WCDMA I, II and V Bands.

Google have also indicated that a CDMA compatible version of the handset will be available in the spring for use on the Verizon network, and it now seems that Sprint will also support the phone. Gizmodo have posted a response to a recent enquiry from Sprint Customer Solutions which indicates that the Nexus One will also be coming to the Sprint network.

Thank you for contacting Sprint regarding the Nexus One. Unfortunately, this handset model is not on offer as of now.

Once it is launched, you will see promotional campaigns related to the launch date, cost and the features of the handset on our Web site and other promotional media.

Thank you for showing interest in our products & services. Please let us know if you would like us to assist you with anything else.

It seems that Google really is planning to make the Nexus One available on as many networks as possible, as there is now a strong likelihood that it will soon be compatible with all major US carriers, and by implication, most major international networks. Launch dates and data plans are still to be announced as Google continues discussions with network operators but it looks like the will be offering a comprehensive list of carriers for customers to choose from.

Smartphones Compared: total cost of ownership

With a new smartphone player now in the game BillShrink has put together a handy 24 month total cost of ownership chart comparing the Nexus One, iPhone, Droid and Palm Pre handsets. It’s US-centric but interesting viewing for non-US readers as well. The verdict? With an unlimited plan the Nexus One would cost $2,580 over 24 months whilst the iPhone weighs in at an impressive $3780, almost 50% more. Read on to see all the figures.

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