Google moves into smartphone market

The iPhone is everywhere. No matter where you go, it seems you’re either looking at an iPhone advertisement, looking at someone using an iPhone, or hearing someone talk about it.
But Apple beware, because there’s a new kid on the smartphone block.
Google unveiled its new Nexus One phone last Tuesday, which comes with the tag of “superphone.”
The phone is packed with perks: It is pencil-thin, has a global positioning system, a five megapixel camera with flash, and is set up to allow the user to perform Google searches or send emails and text messages through voice commands.
As “super” as this sounds, not everyone thinks this phone is new and revolutionary.
“Google is calling it the superphone, not a smartphone. But there’s nothing super about it,” Concordia University tech expert, Elias Makos said. “It is a very capable smartphone but it’s not doing anything we haven’t seen yet.”

Makos said he believes the Nexus will become a source of competition for the “other phones” like the Motorola Droid, the Samsung Omnia, and the Palm Pre. “The iPhone still has a huge lead in the market. It’s the gigantic elephant in the room.”
With speculation that Apple will be releasing a new 4G iPhone this year, Makos suggestes Google 8212; and any other company that wants a slice of Apple’s market share 8212; has to release a phone that beats next years iPhone. “They continue to make phones that beat last year’s iPhone,” he says.
One main advantage of Google’s phone is that it is not tied to a carrier. It is sold via an online store, unlocked, directly to the consumer.
In terms of visual appearance, the Nexus has a slightly bigger screen, is thinner, and even five grams lighter than the iPhone.

Still, when it comes to number of applications, Apple wins by a landslide with roughly 100,000 available. Even though there are currently only 18,000 apps available by on the Nexus OS, they are all free.
The iPhone can store up to 32GB; the Nexus can only store 4GB. Google’s phone has expandable memory of up to 32GB with an SD card, but the applications can only be stored on the built-in memory.
The Nexus One, manufactured by High Tech Computer Corporation and sold by Google, is currently only available in United States but is available for shipping to the United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Though the device will work in Canada after popping in a local carrier’s SIM card, it will not operate at 3G-speed.

Without access to the 3G data,the phone will not work to the best of its ability, a representative from HTC said.
“If you really want this Google phone, just wait,” Makos said. “It will come to Canada and I don’t think we’ll be waiting years, like we did for the iPhone.” A new wireless carrier called Wind Mobile is currently trying to lock a deal with Google in order to bring the Nexus to Canada.
Only time will tell how the public will receive Nexus One. One thing is for sure; it will take a lot to impress loyal iPhone users, and there’s no app for that.

The Stats
Starting cost (without a plan)Storage capacityBattery life (talktime)Number of appsCameraWeight
iPhone 3GS$69916GB up to 32GBUp to 5 hours≈100,0003 MP135 grams
Blackberry Storm$599.992GBUp to 5 hours≈30003.2 MP160 grams
Palm Pre$599.998 GBUp to 5 hours≈3003 MP135 grams
Nexus OneUS $529.004GB (Expandable to 32GB with SD card)Up to 7 hours≈18,0005 MP130 grams

Related Posts