Google's Nexus One Phone Launches 568
The press conference at the Googleplex is over and Google's Nexus One phone has launched (official Google blog announcement). The NY Times confirms the bare details: manufactured by HTC; $529 unlocked, $179 with 2-year T-Mobile contract; coming to Verizon in the US, and Vodaphone in Europe, in "Spring 2010." The Times notes one desirable feature: "[Google] has also voice-enabled all text boxes in the device, so a user can speak into the device to, for instance, compose an e-mail, rather than type the text of the email." Walt Mossberg points out one limitation: "On the Nexus One, only 190 megabytes of its total 4.5 gigabytes of memory is allowed for storing apps. On the $199 iPhone, nearly all of the 16 gigabytes of memory can be used for apps." No answers yet to the obvious questions: can it tether on T-Mobile? Will it allow VoIP?
VoIP on the droid (Score:2, Informative)
I know it's not the N1, but I can say that the Droid has a SIP application which works..pretty well.
At home, all my calls go out over the copper line ( through my asterisk box ).
VOIP (Score:5, Informative)
Since T-Mobile already allows VOIP without any problems on their existing phones and data plans, and since the Android app store has at least two good SIP applications why would there be any question if VOIP is allowed or not?
Re:Will there be no Sprint version? (Score:2, Informative)
Actually, there will be a CDMA version for Verizon, so it's possible it could also work on Sprint. T-Mobile and AT&T use GSM sim cards.
Also, Google says they will be adding many other phone models and networks to their online store.
Re:world phone coming soon? (Score:5, Informative)
For this current model, I think the voice feature will be the most significant: every text field is voice enabled, making the touchscreen-only keyboard a bit less painful.
If they use the same technology as they use for the Google Voice transcriptions then it won't be so useful. My experience is that it gets 20-25% of the words right. SOMETIMES the transcriptions I get are enough to get the jist of what the call was about - other times it's like a bad babblefish version of it.
Unless they're using something different, I think Voice Recognition has a long way to do - and may never quite be there. Heck even for real people it's hard to understand just what someone said.
No Multitouch (Score:0, Informative)
Like other Android phones, there is no multitouch implemented in the touchscreen interface.
For those who use their smartphones for gaming, this really limits the ability of the phone of as a gaming platform (with respect to touchscreen controls). Gaming on the iPhone has really been taking off, although I still think hardware buttons work best for fast-paced and twitch gaming.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:4, Informative)
Also, the 500 minute plan from T-Mo is $40/mo if you're not getting a Nexus but should you decide to grab the phone and the accompanying plan, you'll be paying $80/mo. What is the logic here?
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:5, Informative)
The most significant ones to me are:
TTS
1GHz Snapdragon processor
Android 2.1
5MP camera
UMTS crippled on purpose? will not work on ATT 3G (Score:3, Informative)
according to the nexus one specs, the UMTS Band (2100/AWS/900) will not support ATT network 3G but does work on T-Mobiles 3G network. T-Mobile 3G and voice coverage is one of worst in US.
Re:Will there be no Sprint version? (Score:3, Informative)
I know that Verizon and T-Mobile phones use SIM cards, so theoretically you could unlock those phones and switch networks, but why won't there be a Sprint version?
verizon does not use SIM cards. AT&T and T-Mobile are the only US carriers to use GSM / SIM.
Maybe I'm just ignorant, but it seems either A) shortsighted of Google to ignore the largest cellular network, or B) stupid of Sprint to pass up such a kickass phone...
the phone is available on AT&T, T-mobile, and is coming to verizon soon. it's available on 3 of the 4 major carriers. i wouldn't call that short sighted.
Re:Will there be no Sprint version? (Score:4, Informative)
Sprint is not the largest cellular network. Sprint is either third or fourth largest in the US in terms of customers and covers both less people and less geographic area than AT&T or Verizon. Plus, Sprint isn't technically a cellular carrier. To split hairs, cellular service is at 800MHz while PCS service is at 1900MHz (which is what Sprint uses for their CDMA network - their iDEN network being a SMR network). Normally, I wouldn't nitpick like that, but Sprint made a big deal about being all-PCS a while back calling themselves "the clear alternative to cellular".
HTC has had good relations with Sprint so I'm guessing that a Sprint version might come, but it won't come quickly. Sprint is losing customers at a high rate. There's no incentive for a phone manufacturer to want to put effort into debuting on Sprint given that the line of phones (Pre, Hero, Moment - which were all great phones) Sprint has gotten haven't done so well.
T-Mobile is easy to start out with because they don't require lots of customization and GSM phones can be re-used all over the world. Verizon customers are clamoring for an iPhone competitor (as evidenced by Droid sales). AT&T has the iPhone. Sprint just isn't winning customers. So, it's to be expected that Sprint's going to be at the bottom of the heap after lackluster results for quite a while.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:5, Informative)
This Engadget review addresses Nexus vs. Droid in some depth:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/04/nexus-one-review/ [engadget.com]
Re:Mossberg is an Apple fanboi, valid point though (Score:3, Informative)
It's actually HARDER to load the iPhone since you have to do it through iTunes. With the Android devices you simply plug in the USB cable and hit the "USB Connected" then "Mount" button in the notification panel and it acts just like a thumb drive.
Re:Mossberg is an Apple fanboi, valid point though (Score:5, Informative)
I have over 1.3 Gigs of apps on my iPhone. It's not hard to use up that much space on an iPhone for apps. There are tons of apps out there that are well over 100mb.
Sure you may not play games, but then what about 3rd party mapping software which preloads all the maps to the phone.
Having only 190Mb for apps is a huge deal breaker for me.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:5, Informative)
-Faster CPU
-Better integrated with Google apps and services (ie: no using Bing when the Google Search is better integrated with the phone)
-Runs on something other than Verizon (unlike the Droid), namely ATT & TMo.
-More storage space
-(for those who dont like em or the added bulkiness) it doesnt have a physical keyboard (for me, that's a drawback)
-Android 2.1
-Cheaper overall plans from TMo (since the Droid only runs on Verizon, I think it's a valid comparison point)
Re:Only $529! (Score:4, Informative)
its all in the GSM/CDMA licensing. nokia, motorola, etc. all have patents you have to pay for. so the CDMA chip is like $100. $1 to make. $99 is licensing.
number are of course examples but the intent is true.
Re:VOIP (Score:4, Informative)
Google voice is not VOIP
Re:Only $529! (Score:1, Informative)
The iPod Touch is also considerably simpler, since instead of having an entire cellular baseband on its board (usually requiring an additional processor, RAM, flash memory and antenna, it simply has a socket for more NAND.
They're also less likely to sell at the volume a stand alone mp3 player will sell. That price is not unusual, the Nokia N900 is $550-$650 and had nary a hope of being subsidized in the US.
And no, you don't get a reduced price if you bring your phone. But that's not a good argument for agreeing to being locked in by a 2-year contract.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:5, Informative)
$30 "unlimited" data, $10 unlimited messaging. Standard T-Mobile rates.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:1, Informative)
Re:VOIP (Score:3, Informative)
IE: You give Google Voice the number you want to dial, then the number you want it to connect you to, and Google calls you and when you answer, it dials the number you want to call. Once the call connection is made, it's still just using your regular phone network (cellular or otherwise).
Re:Will there be no Sprint version? (Score:3, Informative)
Sprint does not issue SIM cards, and doesn't use the GSM standard. They are a CDMA carrier. An "unlocked" phone that uses GSM and SIM cards is useless for Sprint. So the GP is not a troll, he/she is just well-informed as to the fractured state of the American mobile phone market.
The specs on the phone indicate that they will not (in the current unlocked version) support CDMA. They'll support UMTS 1, 4, and 8 (which means in the USA they'll support T-Mobile), HSDPA/HSUPA (again, T-Mobile in the US), GSM/EDGE (both European and American bands, which means AT&T and most prepaid plans), WiFi, and Bluetooth.
Maybe when the Verizon version comes out, they'll release an unlocked CDMA version as well. But they've only published an unlocked GSM version so far.
Tether (Score:1, Informative)
If Android can tether, I don't see why it wouldn't work on T-Mobile. I bought a Nokia N900 and tether seems to work without a problem. As long as you have an app that can do it, you should be set.
Looks like an interesting phone. I'll stay with the N900 for now. I've loved the ability to ssh to my phone, run apt-get, apt-cache search etc.
Re:UMTS crippled on purpose? will not work on ATT (Score:1, Informative)
TMobile US, and the majority of the world, put their 3G networks in the 1700/2100MHz bands. AT&T, either due to limitations on the 2100 band when they first did their rollout, or just because they're AT&T, use the 1900MHz band instead.
In this case, I'm siding with TMobile, as I prefer cellular devices that work in the majority of the world. Besides, I've seen (very nebulous) rumor that AT&T will be transitioning in some 2100MHz band usage in places as part of their 4G plans.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:0, Informative)
-Better integrated with Google apps and services (ie: no using Bing when the Google Search is better integrated with the phone)
You're making this up.
Actually, no he's not. Verizon recently signed a partnership with Microsoft for search. Shortly afterwards, search done on the Droid phone was handled by Bing instead of Google.
Re:Only $529! (Score:2, Informative)
Actually, with T-Mobile you do (the only US carrier to currently have that option). Now whether the difference in price between the two makes up the difference is another question altogether.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:3, Informative)
The droid uses TI's OMAP 3430 system, which uses a 550MHz ARM cortex-A8 proc.
Snapdragon is similar (ARM arch built by Qualcomm), but faster.
Re:Verizon in Spring (Score:2, Informative)
I don't see it in Google's direct statements, but Mossberg and the NYTimes both said the current phone will not work on Verizon, so if you want to use it on Verizon you'll need to wait and buy the Verizon model.
I suspect that if the Verizon model supports GSM and CDMA Google will have a bunch of ticked off T-Mobile customers (for not giving them the ability to go to Verizon later on without rebuying new hardware ...)
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:4, Informative)
To be really fair, quality of these pictures are getting close to the first 2-3MP cameras. Sure, you don't have a (real) flash nor a zoom, but you carry it around everywhere.
While these camera phones were just a gadget a couple of years ago, they can now take pretty nice shots. Not in the dark of course.
Re:Now I can say "I told you so!" (Score:3, Informative)
i am not sure how motorola et al. could be upset with google. google engineers have written the vast majority of android-related code including apps, the android core, the SDK, and developer tools. they also provide many of the back end services that make the phone work. to a large degree motorola had a mobile operating system developed for them, for free.
no matter what phone you purchase, there is always a new and improved version. everyone that rushed out on bought the N1 today is going to feel burned when then N2 comes out. the same way iphone 3g/s users will feel when the iphone 4 comes out this summer. i don't think motorola was guaranteed market superiority when they built the droid.
futhermore, google just branded the N1. HTC is the developer, and t-mobile is the (first) carrier. HTC and t-mobile have been working with google since day one and gambled on android long before anyone else would bother looking in it's general direction. kudos to both oif them they deserve any success the N1 brings them. this was happening when other manufacturers and carriers were trying to figure out how they could hold on to their closed off, strangled version of the "internet".
finally, the N1 is fair competition to motorola. it's not subsidized in any way and has no special advantage over the droid. in fact, the engadget review gave the nod to the droid over the N1.
It's $279 for existing Tmobile customer renewals (Score:1, Informative)
The $179 subsidized price is only for new Tmobile customers.
Existing customers, even customers who have completed their latest 2-year contract, get a bait-and-switch handset price change to $279 halfway through the purchase process on the google/phone website.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:4, Informative)
Ok, can someone explain how it can display 720x480 resolution video on a screen that only has a resolution of 400x800? I'm not saying that the numbers are wrong, just that if they're right, I don't understand how it works.
same way HD camcorders do on 100Kpix displays
Re:Ogg support - sweet (Score:5, Informative)
android to this android developer blog post [blogspot.com], ogg has been supported since feb 2008 in the SDK, which is at least several major releases of the OS.
Re:Mossberg is an Apple fanboi, valid point though (Score:2, Informative)
Or you could join the Enterprise program, and develop/deploy to your employees as much as you'd like?
App Storage FUD (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Mossberg is an Apple fanboi, valid point though (Score:4, Informative)
My understanding is that it's a security measure.
What exactly they're trying to protect against or even if it actually helps, I do not know.
The SD card is FAT-formatted because the phone presents it over USB as a block device, so that PCs and Macs can pretend it's a camera or other media device. But the use of FAT means that the card lacks Unix file permissions, in particular the owner/group info that stops one app from stomping on another app's data. (The device is mounted noexec, to prevent temptation/abuse.) I've seen talk of using Linux's encrypted loopback abilities at some future point, but it's been on the wishlist since the G1 came out so I wouldn't hold my breath.
Regarding the 190MB available for apps. (Score:5, Informative)
Yes, Android currently only lets you install application packages on internal memory. Application developers know this, so there's a major effort made to keep the application footprint small, and then have the applications download and store additional resources on the SD card, which has no such limitations. As an example, a game would store its levels/media on the SD card. Or in the case of an offline GPS app, the map data would be stored on the SD card.
With my Droid, I've yet to get anywhere close to this limitation, and I'm always on the hunt for neat apps on the market. I currently have 162MB free (I believe it originally had 250MB available).
Yes, it's not inconceivable that you'll run into this limitation, but at the same time, it doesn't come up all that often. Don't be concerned that your iPhone is using 3GB for app storage...on an Android device those apps would be putting 95% of their data on the SD card.
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:1, Informative)
Search on the Droid is still handled by Google. Verizon's Blackberry devices were the only ones forced to switch to Bing. (I've got a Droid, looking at the google search box right now)
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:2, Informative)
That Digg post is bullshit. As I recall, it was only Blackberries (and my Droid definitely uses Google.)
Re:Only $529! (Score:1, Informative)
How come other GSM/CDMA unlocked phones can be purchased for $50 - $100? I'm not talking about smartphones. I could see the 3G modems as having large licensing fees, but GSM/CDMA licensing is dirt cheap.
nice guess...
Re:So what's the difference? (Score:2, Informative)
If you buy a Verizon Wireless US-only (CDMA/1xEVDO) phone, then you are correct; that phone will not have GSM capability and will, therefore, not have a SIM card. However, if you buy a world-capable phone from Verizon Wireless, it will most certainly have a VZW SIM card in it and that SIM will work just fine when you are traveling internationally and using the GSM radios. The function is one of the (only) things I like about my BB Storm...the international capabilities of it are wonderful (and MUCH cheaper than I ever expected, at least when traveling to London last year).
This also brings up an interesting question. The Nexus One will be on Verizon Wireless in the US in the spring. That means it will have a CDMA/1xEVDO capability it in. Will that version of this phone also include the GSM radios and function internationally, as the current world-capable BlackBerrys do? If so, that would be a great feature. Google said during the Q&A at their press event yesterday they are pursuing international-capable phones, so that may be a good indication that the VZW-capable version of the Nexus One will be a world phone. If it is, count me in.