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Google Technology

Google Nexus Rumored To Cost $530 Or $180 w/Plan 284

Posted by CmdrTaco from the it-better-be-good dept.
wkurzius writes "The new Google phone, the Nexus One, is rumored to cost $530 unlocked and will work on any GSM network. A subsidized version is also available for $180 and will get you a T-Mobile Even More Individual 500 Plan for 2-years with a $350 termination fee. Access to the phone is supposed to be invite only at first, with January 5th being the supposed release date."
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Google Nexus Rumored To Cost $530 Or $180 w/Plan More

Google Nexus Rumored To Cost $530 Or $180 w/Plan

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  • Invite only? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by MBGMorden ( 803437 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:19PM (#30597140)

    Seriously? Since when the hell is the ability to buy a phone "invite only"? I swear the social aspect of phone ownership is getting ridiculous.

    • Re:Invite only? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by CyberLord Seven ( 525173 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:24PM (#30597226)
      Consider yourself fortunate that you are not on the invite list. Remember the dorks who bought the iPhone when it first came out? Remember those same dorks just a few months later when Apple dropped the price? :)

      I suspect this invite only thing is just to drum up interest in the phone. Soon, everyone and his brother will be able to buy one just like Gmail.

      • Smart move (Score:2, Interesting)

        by copponex ( 13876 )

        Good move from a marketing standpoint. They pick out users who are more likely to be technologically savvy, and those users won't flood the internet with complaints like "TEH PHONE DOSNT WORK W/ITUNES... WOULD NOT BY AGAIN"

        By the time it launches widely, there will be some very interesting projects they can show off. I'm waiting to see what if there will be an SDK and what kind of access users will have to the phone. Hopefully it will be wide open.

        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by beeverteeth ( 853575 )
          Yeah, there will be an SDK... Android SDK :rolleyes:

        • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

          by thetoadwarrior ( 1268702 )

          I'm waiting to see what if there will be an SDK and what kind of access users will have to the phone. Hopefully it will be wide open.

          You started off well but then you went here and jumped on the fail boat.

          It will be the Android OS/SDK and already has loads of apps out as Android has been out awhile.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by nurb432 ( 527695 )

        For some, ( not me ) the fact you get to be first in line for the latest shiny object is worth the extra cost to them.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by alecto ( 42429 )

      Just a marketing gimmick to make people feel elite. Invites will be about as scarce as Gmail invites.

    • There isn't a 'social aspect' to the phone other than using it to call other people.

      Even most kids to who the 'social' aspect would be important don't give a shit beyond the basics.

      People care more about the social aspect of their forks than they do about their phones.

      • Re:Invite only? (Score:5, Interesting)

        by MBGMorden ( 803437 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:40PM (#30598410)

        You clearly haven't been hanging out with the same people I have. It seems that every person between 14 and 30 is caught up in phones - what theirs can do, what yours can't, and new/shiny. Hell from what I've seen in the last 3 years or so teenage and early 20's girls get as geeky over their phones as geeks do over their computers.

        A friend of my sisters was out with us a while back - overall a pretty superficial girl. Not bright about most things, and works in one of those trendy shops where they sell bath oils and the like. Somebody said something about their phone and my God she took off. Whipping out her phone showing what it could do - and not just "OMG it can do interwebs!" talk. Discussing various input methods, which phones did what better and how, connectivity, the works. It would be what you would expect if some clueless noob said something in passing about the GPL around a Linux geek - just about phones. She has been the most extreme of this I found, but certainly not the only one. The nation as a whole (well, the younger crowd anyways) is in love with the smartphone right now.

    • It's probably to restrict a limited initial stock of the device to the customers who will give the greatest return. Who ever thought that a ubiquitous item, and one that performs communications at that, might have a social aspect though, eh?

    • Google starts many of their services as invite-only. Consider it a beta test where the testers have to pay for the privilege, and are strictly limited in number. As opposed to all the other recent smartphones where the beta testers had to pay for the privilege but weren't limited in number.

    • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

      by FurrBear ( 668920 )
      Isn't "Invite Only" the way Google handles all of their public Betas?

    • Re:Invite only? (Score:5, Informative)

      by thePsychologist ( 1062886 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @03:18PM (#30598918) Journal

      The _buying_ of the phone is not invite only. That's just the special event to unveil it. It's in the article.

  • So (Score:4, Interesting)

    by jimbobborg ( 128330 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:20PM (#30597152)

    Who got invited? Whoopi Goldberg? Or one of the celebs on the T-Mobile Android ads?

    And $530 for an unlocked phone that will last about three years? Really?

    • The contract handset won't last any longer than the no-obligation one, and might work out cheaper. I dunno about the US, but if I go to a UK phone company and don't ask for a handset I save a third on the monthly rate and leave at a month's notice, putting the equivalent of about $400 in my pocket.

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by bberens ( 965711 )
        I've ranted about this plenty of times on slashdot. There is no such program in the US. You can buy a "pay as you go" phone but the cost/minute is generally higher than the contract plans. Bringing your own phone to the deal only grants you the freedom to not sign a contract for a *normal* monthly plan. There is no discount whatsoever.

        • Re:So (Score:5, Informative)

          by b0bby ( 201198 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:25PM (#30598146)

          Actually, it seems T-mobile is doing just that now - "Even More" is their standard subsidized phones + 2 year contract deal, "Even More Plus" is the same plans but no "free" phones or contracts & $10/month less. Maybe the other carriers will follow if T-mobile starts getting people to switch because of this.

          OTOH, if you want T-mobile & a Google phone, it makes more sense to pay the extra $10/month to get the subsidized phone, because the amount of subsidy (($530-$180)/24) is almost $15/month.

          • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

            by Undead Waffle ( 1447615 )
            Last I heard all of the US carriers were requiring the data plan if you had a smart phone. Any word on whether the "Even More Plus" plan does this? Again, last time I looked into it AT&T would detect the smart phone on their network regardless of whether it was bought separately and add the $30/month data plan to your bill for you. Any carrier that lets me bring my own smart phone without requiring me to pay $30 for an internet connection I'll barely ever use has a good chance of getting my business nex

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by pmontra ( 738736 )
          Even with an higher cost per minute if you don't call much you'll end up paying less than the monthly cost of the contract plan.

        • Re: (Score:2)

          by xaxa ( 988988 )

          Can you buy a phone from WalMart yet?

          Asda (owned by WalMart) sell phones, and when I looked had the cheapest basic pay-as-you-go plan (4p text, 8p/min call).

          Aside from that, I wish the operators would stick to simple pricing, it makes it difficult to compare costs. 4p/text is easy to work out, but variations on "10p/text, but 300 free texts every time you top up by £10, but the free texts must be used within one month, and free texts while you're at home and to your best friend" from 10 different oper

    • I'd gladly buy an unlocked phone and switch to the best US carrier for me, just give me an equivalent monthly discount on my service... AT&T ?? ... Verizon ?? ... T-Mobile ?? ... Sprint ?? ... Bueller?? ... Anyone ??
    • That's about standard for an unlocked new phone. What were you expecting?

  • A little more competition is a good thing (Score:5, Interesting)

    by DJRumpy ( 1345787 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:20PM (#30597158)

    I can only hope this brings down the cost of these phones. The prices are already greater than the cost of netbooks and bargain laptops/desktops. I realize that miniaturization is a factor, but we really need more strong competitors in this area. I would much prefer a non-subsidized phone except the price is a little daunting all in one lump sum.

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by pclminion ( 145572 )
      The lump sum does suck. I've been using T-Mobile for about 10 years, and haven't really had anything to complain about, but I still hate the contract. I was poking around their online phone store and saw that they are now offering financing for the newer touchscreens with NO CONTRACT, which is pretty nice. It works out to about $20 a month, and it's 0% APR. I was going to take the plunge, but then I saw that the Nexus was coming out any day now. So maybe I'll wait and see if they offer a similar financing d

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by nurb432 ( 527695 )

      There plenty of inexpensive unlocked 'smart phones' out there now, if you want to look across the ocean to china. Sure, you have to be careful in what you choose, and you may not want to support the country ( clue: most phones are made there anyway... ) but they are available if you want..

    • Re:A little more competition is a good thing (Score:4, Interesting)

      by Seor Jojoba ( 519752 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:13PM (#30597946) Homepage
      Just buy it with a credit card. And pay the debt off at $20/month or whatever is convenient. You'll be better off in the long run, because we'll get the carriers to start competing as big dumb pipes. The emphasis will be on coverage/speed for the buck, instead of some wacky chase after the latest "It" phone. We should all stop being scared off by upfront costs and letting phone carriers handle our financing through subsidies.

      • Re:A little more competition is a good thing (Score:5, Insightful)

        by DJRumpy ( 1345787 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:20PM (#30598062)

        I think these smart phones have gone far beyond being an 'It' phone. This isn't some hot item that one quickly loses interest in within a few weeks. I bought my first smart phone (an iPhone) a few years ago. I still use it heavily. Having the internet in your pocket is a huge convenience for all sorts of circumstances. The apps are just icing. I use mine 5 times a week at the gym, I look up prices, I check release dates for movies, music, and media, all while I'm out and about. These have real purpose far beyond just being an accessory to one's clothes.

        They are essentially a mini-pc in your pocket, and I hardly need to extol the benefits of a PC to this crowd ;)

    • Re: (Score:2, Insightful)

      by mdwh2 ( 535323 )

      Note there are smartphones in the low end too (e.g., the Nokia 5800 I got without contract at £180).

  • No thanks (Score:5, Informative)

    by TubeSteak ( 669689 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:20PM (#30597162) Journal

    Those wanting to buy the handset subsidized will pay $180 and have to sign up for a two year contract. There appears to be only one plan available for these customers, and that is the T-Mobile Even More Individual 500 Plan, which gives you 500 minutes, free weekend and in-network calls and unlimited SMS, MMS and data. That bring the total cost over two years to $2,100.

    The unsubsidized price + a data plan is vastly cheaper

    • Re:No thanks (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Shadow of Eternity ( 795165 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:31PM (#30597316)

      My whole family gets unlimited messages, data, and 700 minutes with myfaves (two blackberries and a generic nokia) for a little less than twice that.

      Then again they are targeting the young male "I have less sense than money" demographic.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by jedrek ( 79264 )

        I would have absolutely no use for 200 more minutes or two extra accounts.

        Then again, I'm not one of those people who thinks that everything isn't specifically targeted at them to be stupid.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by SBrach ( 1073190 )
        If you don't already know this I am sorry. T-mobile sucks now. They jacked up their prices and nothing you have is available anymore. My faves is gone. Unlimited text for ten bucks is now 20. 700 minutes isn't offered on family plans. You are grandfathered in until you decide you need more minutes or want to upgrade a line with a phone that requires a NEW talk + text + web activation (any smartphone). I am currently paying ~$110 a month for 4 lines, 1000 minutes, unlimited text, and one BB plan becaus
    • A little bit OT, but in the states if you buy an unlocked phone can you get a plan that does not include a subsidy for another phone? That is, if I buy an iPhone I'm going to pay $90/month or so, but some of that includes the price of the phone. If I have my own iPhone, or after my initial two year contract (after I've paid off the phone) is it possible to get a cheaper plan? My understanding is no, but please correct me if I'm wrong. So, if I buy a nexus one unlocked can I get a cheaper plan than if I
      • Actually... with T-Mobile, at least when I was recently pricing out Voice and Data plans, the no contract plan was $20 cheaper then the contract plan.

        Nephilium

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Bigjeff5 ( 1143585 )

      Remember that you have to buy the more expensive smartphone data plans for this phone - usually $30 per month for just the data portion.

      The subsidised plan is $80 a month when you take away the price of the phone, so the unsub plan would need to be less than $65 per month to make it cheaper. That's a tough one to get where I live, but it is possible. It's not "vastly cheaper" though. To look at it another way, you need to save at least $15 on the monthly bill to do better with the unsubbed phone. If you

    • You're going to be paying for a service plan on the unsubsidised handset, though. You'll make a saving depending on how much you actually need, but the total cost of ownership of the unsubsidised handset over the same two year period is probably closer to $1500.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by nurb432 ( 527695 )

      And its yours out of the gate. But its all still a big ripoff.

  • Subsidy lock? (Score:4, Interesting)

    by alecto ( 42429 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:22PM (#30597198) Homepage

    If someone buys the phone with the subsidy then subsequently leaves T-mo and pays the ETF, will T-mo unlock the phone? Also, is the ETF prorated? In any case, it seems that the combination of a cheap phone for voice and a netbook/laptop + WiFi or if ubiquitous access is necessary a data stick are a better deal for the money.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by alen ( 225700 )

      i think its unlocked out of the box contract or not. it's the crazy ETF you have to pay which is OK since everyone knows people will try to resell this baby on ebay for some quick cash

    • If this phone only supports T-Mobile's 3G bands, there is little point to locking it in the first place.

      Moving to AT&T gets you a 2G phone on EDGE, which is a very undesireable phone, especially if you want those data features that mean lots of data.

      And taking it overseas is unlikely and risks the same problem - 2G in a 3G world.

      In fact, only CDMA phones have significant competition that could inspire a user to take a phone to another carrier, and I wonder how incompatible Sprint's 3G network is with Ve

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by pesho ( 843750 )
      T-mo are actually very helpful when you need to unlock the phone. I have unlocked 2 phones with them in the past couple of years. One was an old set that got replaced after contract renewal. The other one is still under contract. I asked them for the unlock code so I can switch the SIM when traveling abroad and avoid the roaming charges. They were very prompt sending me e-mail with the code and detailed instructions how to unlock the phone. Their customer service is the major reason I am still with them.

  • This is just FUD (Score:2, Interesting)

    by walruz ( 851125 )
    I've seen this post on many other sites, all referencing to the gizmodo link, which is a mockup of the page which is supposed to be the actual page offering the phone. No confirmation, no real data, no journalism.. just plain old FUD.

  • whining about prices (Score:5, Interesting)

    by Ritz_Just_Ritz ( 883997 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:25PM (#30597242)

    Like all the other smartphones in recent memory, they cost a fortune if you're an early adopter. If you don't want to get mugged then just wait a couple of months for the hoopla to die down. Your old phone won't stop working in the interim if you don't have the latest whizbang handset the day after its release.

  • prices? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by Lord Ender ( 156273 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @01:31PM (#30597306) Homepage

    Finally, an unlocked smartphone! But what is the cheapest voice+data plan you could use it with? Will it be possible to use it with a pre-pay carrier, like Virgin Mobile?

    I don't talk much, and I'm rarely far from a real computer, but I would love to have the ability to get on the web from a smartphone available to me.

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by Wonko the Sane ( 25252 ) *

      If you go pure VOIP then you can get data-only plans for $40 per month.

    • Re: (Score:2, Informative)

      by jabbathewocket ( 1601791 )
      There are unlocked smartphones all over the place? this is not new.. but you cannot use virgin mobile or any of the other sprint wannabe phone companies in the states for it.. as they dont offer data.. You will basically have to goto tmobile, and buy a data only plan on flexpay (no contract prepaid, essentially you can pick any plan t-mobile offers and have it where you pay first, then use minutes versus the more standard postpay market in the states) You can also buy any phone tmobile offers on this uns

    • No reason why it shouldn't work on pre-pay. A SIM is a SIM is a SIM as far as the handset's concerned.

    • Re:prices? (Score:5, Interesting)

      by Seor Jojoba ( 519752 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:26PM (#30598164) Homepage

      The funny thing is that T-Mobile offers a pretty decent plan with 3G data for $50/month which would be my first choice. But if you buy the subsidized phone, you get the spendy $80/month plan which doesn't really have good value to warrant the extra cost, IMO. Difference seems to be just more minutes and unlimited SMSs. So I could see buying the unsubsidized phone, and just getting the cheaper T-Mobile data plan separately.

      Also, T-Mobile is one of the major carriers that refused to turn over customer information to US officials without a warrant. And they got KZJ, who is much sexier than the "Can You Hear Me Now" guy.

  • Very disappointing (Score:2, Interesting)

    by ekool ( 25857 )

    There are a lot of disappointed people over @ nexusoneforum.net with regards to the pricing. It sounds to me like Google lost alot of good will with such a high unsubsidized price.
     
    Discussion here: Nexus One Pricing Discussion [nexusoneforum.net]

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by iamhassi ( 659463 )
      "It sounds to me like Google lost alot of good will with such a high unsubsidized price."

      They lost me. After many [slashdot.org], many [gizmodo.com] stories [slashdot.org] about free google cell phones supported by ads how can anyone not be disappointed by the $500 price?

      I really don't see how Google thinks they'll sell any. $500+ is a huge bite, and $180 puts it in competition with $199 iPhone 3GS [att.com], so if you're deciding between the iPhone and Nexus price really isn't a factor. Couple that with 126,000+ iPhone apps [appshopper.com] vs 20,000 Android apps [androlib.com] and

      • Re:Very disappointing (Score:4, Insightful)

        by shutdown -p now ( 807394 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @03:34PM (#30599152) Journal

        I do not understand. You're complaining that Google doesn't have some magic fairy dust to sprinkle over the phone so that it costs half as much all of a sudden?

        From what I can see, the prices are competitive, and match the established level for smartphones of this caliber. What else do you want?

      • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

        by mrlpz ( 605212 )
        I can see the commercials with Luke Wilson now.... iPhone Luke is eating lunch while using his iPhone to tweet. "nexus" Luke tries to steal a french fry from iPhone Luke. And iPhone Luke bats his hand away saying, "Hey, why don't you buy some for yourself !". Then "nexus" Luke (sad-faced) says, "But I spent all my money on this....android....phone".

  • For $530, I expect, nay, demand, to have actual physical buttons to dial with.

    • Re: (Score:3, Funny)

      by Bigjeff5 ( 1143585 )

      Why? The touchscreen buttons are so much easier.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by AP31R0N ( 723649 )

      And reach around.

    • For that price, I want a dial to dial with. And when it rings, I want it to ring, not warble some digital music.

      • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

        by Nadaka ( 224565 )

        hell yes, and I want a hand crank and one of those cups on a wire to put up to my ear. I don't think I understand, can I get a horse and buggy analogy?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by fermion ( 181285 )
      There was a time when solid state was a selling point. Mechanical switches break. Solid State may burn out, but will not crack from the cheap plastic used. Every says how wonderful mechanical keyboards are, but those keyboards were expensive. I certainly want a good keyboard, but would not be willing to pay $200 for it.

      Everything is a trade off. Design, build, and warranty against the defects in a keyboard, or use that money to build something innovate. With bluetooth connection, there is nothing to

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by b0bby ( 201198 )

      Screw that, for $530 I demand a rotary dial!

    • Re:No keyboard = do not want (Score:5, Funny)

      by natehoy ( 1608657 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @03:04PM (#30598752) Journal

      Dial? What is this dial of which you speak?

      Oh, you mean "dial" as in "push buttons". How quaint.

      I use a bluetooth headset, and just press the button and read off the numbers I want to call (assuming it's for someone not in my phone book).

      I get three benefits out of this:

      1. Everyone around me sees what an Important Person I am, and thinks, "wow, someone that technologically forward and yet tastelessly rude must be important." Many of the females obviously think "and I must mate with him immediately!" but sadly I live in a prudish area, so they just look at me with longing, pass into a slight faint where their eyes roll back in their head, then glare because they are angry they can't have sex with me right away.

      2. I get to announce to everyone in earshot what number I am trying to call. I just know everyone wants to know that. It's important.

      3. When the phone misunderstands the number I meant to dial, complete strangers have the pleasure of speaking to me, albeit briefly. Most of them understand the value of my time and, once they realize it's me, they remind me that I have important things to do and end the call.

  • Expected price (Score:2, Informative)

    by irp ( 260932 )

    In Denmark, an unlocked HTC Hero costs ~620 USD. (including the Danish 25% VAT).

    Most people I know (myself included) buy phones unlocked (because my (current/prefered) phone company don't sell phones - but I like their simple "~10 USD/month for up to 1GB" data plan).

    Using the "US to Danish price" conversion (multiply by 1.25, add some) it will cost around 670-700 USD in Denmark (of course payed in DKK).

    The price does not surprise me. I am planning to replace my phone ½ year from now (then my current ph

  • GSM + Google (Score:4, Funny)

    by ground.zero.612 ( 1563557 ) on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:09PM (#30597892)
    Sweet! A decrypted protocol with an OS by a company that doesn't care about your privacy... Where do I sign up???

  • ...run Linux?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by mrlpz ( 605212 )
      blend. Will it blend !?! Sheesh.....you forgot to ask the REAL IMPORTANT question.

  • Give me an invite. I'll buy this the day it comes out. I've currently got a motorola v188 that came with my t-mobile account. i've had it for 5 years and is suffering from some kind of corrupt code. I need a new phone and $530 for an unlocked 3G/GSM phone with android 2.1, wifi, compass, 5MP camera, accelerometer, snapdragon processor, etc. is quite reasonable.

  • Nokia N900 (Score:5, Informative)

    by kurt555gs ( 309278 ) <kurt555gs.ovi@com> on Wednesday December 30, 2009 @02:39PM (#30598408) Homepage

    You can buy an N900 for $569.00. As long as you are going to drop that kind of change, why would you limit yourself to an Android fone?

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by InlawBiker ( 1124825 )

      The N900 is $469 at Buy.com right now with a rebate. I think the N900 is a superior device to just about everything out there right now, but the key deciding factor will be which OS has more support. For the plain old consumer market Android is going to appeal to more people.

    • You can buy an N900 for $569.00. As long as you are going to drop that kind of change, why would you limit yourself to an Android fone?

      I would turn that around and ask why on earth you would buy anything with a dead-end OS, when you could buy a fully programmable Android device that you can buy a lot more applications for.

      The Nokia is nice to use but that's as far as it goes, overall it is not nearly as useful just based on application availability alone.

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by Microlith ( 54737 )

        anything with a dead-end OS

        So a Linux-based device using X that supports both Qt and GTK2 toolkits is somehow a dead-end OS?

        a fully programmable Android device

        If and only if you root the thing. I would be surprised, seeing as how it is (optionally) subsidized by T-Mobile, if the Nexus One did not also require being rooted.

        buy a lot more applications

        All the applications I really need are available under the GPL already, and can be ported to the N900 with far less effort than it would take to port them to the

  • The old way of doing things where they give you the phone at a discounted price and lock you into a contract is stupid.

    Essentially they were financing the phone without telling you the interest rate.

    This way, you could buy it and finance it however you want.

    Pay outright, put it on a credit card, use equity from your home. Borrow money from your dog.

    Whatever.

    It's a much better way of doing things, and I appreciate Google pushing the point, even if the sticker price is shocking.

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