Outlook Series | Google Debuts Nexus One Mobile Phone

Google Debuts Nexus One Mobile Phone

January 7, 2009

U.S. search engine giant Google has unveiled its first mobile phone in an effort to compete for a share of the so-called smartphone market dominated by Apple's iPhone.

Nexus One phone from Google

The phone launched Tuesday, called the Nexus One, runs on Google's own operating system called Android and features a touchscreen, as well as 3-D graphics.

"The Nexus One belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call ‘superphones,’ with the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset making it as powerful as your laptop computer of three to four years ago. It's our way to raise the bar on what's possible when it comes to creating the best mobile experience for consumers," said Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering. "We look forward to working with handset manufacturers and operators to bring more phones to market through this channel worldwide."

Consumers can purchase the Nexus One for $179 if they commit to a two-year service contract with wireless provider T-Mobile USA.

The phone will also be available at a later date to consumers who want to use a different provider, such as Verizon Wireless in the U.S. or Europe's Vodafone. The price for this "unlocked" version is $529.

With Web users increasingly using their phones to browse the Internet, the Nexus One allows Google to compete with rival iPhone maker, Apple, as it seeks to keep its dominance in Internet search.

Nexus One Hardware Features

Display: 3.7" AMOLED 480x800 WVGA display
Thinness: 11.5mm; Weight: 130g
Processor/Speed: Qualcomm Snapdragon 3G QSD8250 chipset, delivering speeds up to 1GHz
Camera: 5 megapixel auto focus with flash and geo tagging
Onboard memory: 512MB Flash, 512MB RAM
Expandable memory: 4GB removable SD Card (expandable to 32GB)
Noise Suppression: Dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc.
Ports: 3.5mm stereo headphone jack with four contacts for inline voice and remote control
Battery: Removable 1400 mAh
Personalized laser engraving: Up to 50 characters on the back of the phone
Trackball: Tri-color notification LED, alerts when new emails, chats, text messages arrive

"The Nexus One represents the unique combination of design and innovation two companies like Google and HTC can have when they collaborate," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "The Nexus One continues HTC’s strategy of offering people a portfolio of phones that meet their diverse needs."

Nexus One Software Innovation

The Nexus One runs on Android 2.1, a version of the platform's Eclair software, which offers advanced applications and features including:

Google Maps Navigation: offering turn-by-turn driving directions with voice output.
Email: multiple Gmail accounts; universal inbox and Exchange support.
Phone book: aggregate contacts from multiple sources, including Facebook®.
Quick Contacts: easily switch between communication and social applications.
Android Market: access to more than 18,000 applications.

In addition, the Nexus One introduces new functionality and software enhancements:

Enter text without typing.
Use a voice-enabled keyboard for all text fields: speak a text message, instant message, tweet, Facebook update, or complete an email.
Tell your phone what you want it to do.
Search Google, call contacts, or get driving directions by just speaking into your phone.
Take personalization to the next level.
Dynamic, interactive, live wallpapers react to the touch of a finger.
More widgets and five home screen panels allow for further device customization.
Capture camera-quality pictures and video with your device.
5 megapixel camera includes LED flash, auto focus, zoom, white balance and color effects.
View pictures and Picasa Web Albums in the new 3D Gallery.
Record Hi-Res MPEG4 video, and then upload to YouTube with one click.
Read your voicemail messages.
Get transcribed voicemail with Google Voice integration, without changing your number.