Google's Nexus One live event is over, phones are starting to get into the media's hands (officially), and orders are going out. After the break: Everything you need to know about the Nexus One:
Whose phone is this? Google's? Or HTC's?
Make no mistake about it: The Nexus One is Google's baby; HTC's just the manufacturer. That's not to say this thing doesn't look and feel like an HTC phone, but Google is very much in charge.
How can I get one?
It's on sale now at Google.com/phone. You can but it unlocked (and unsubsidized) for $529, or with a T-Mobile plan for $179. For now, it's only available at Google.com/phone.
Update: The subsidized route is actually a little different if you're already a T-Mobile customer. Here's the official breakdown: (updated 1/14)
- Nexus One without service: $529
- Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for new customers: $179
- Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for qualifying existing T-Mobile customers: $279
Tell me about the T-Mobile plan
If you go the T-Mobile route, you'll be getting the "T-Mobile Even More individual 500 Plan." You will have to be eligible for the service, and Google will check with T-Mobile during the checkout process.
With that plan, which costs $79.99 a month, you get:
- 500 voice minutes
- Unlimited nights and weekends
- Unlimited T-Mobile to T-Mobile minutes.
- Unlimited domestic messaging, including SMS, MMS and IMs.
- Android Unlimited Web.
You also get a phone case, wall charger and USB cable. Shipping is free.
Explain the whole 'unlocked' thing.
The Nexus One is a GSM phone. That means if you buy it unlocked, you can stick any GSM SIM card into it, and it should work. That said: While the phone will work on AT&T in the U.S. and Rogers in Canada, it can't use their 3G service -- only T-Mobile's. The Nexus One does have WiFi, so there's that.
Unlocked also means "unsubsidized." Without a carrier picking up a big part of the tab, you'll be paying more for the phone up front. But you're not locked into a new contract (and thus the "unlocked" term), and you have more flexibility on service plans.
Will the Nexus One be on any other carriers?
Yes. It'll be coming to Verizon. No word on when, other than "soon." In Europe, the Nexus One is coming to Vodafone. Again, no word on when.
There has been absolutely no official world about the Nexus One being on AT&T (other than in an unlocked status) or on Sprint.
What flavor of Android is on the Nexus One?
The N1 ships with Android 2.1 and currently is the only phone with that version of the operating system.
So this is 'Flan' Froyo?
No. Android 2.1 is not "Flan" Froyo, the next big version of Android. Google's going alphabetically, and Android 2.0 is "Eclair." Android 2.1 is part of the Eclair line.
What kinds of bells and whistles do I get?
We're all used to telling phones to "call home." But with the Nexus One and Android 2.1, if you can type it, you can say it. Dictate an e-mail. Speak your text messages. It's that simple.
Also, the little trackball at the bottom of the phone will glow different colors depending on the event. Get an e-mail? That's one color. Voicemail? That's another.
The Nexus One also gets an updated user interface. Gone is the app "drawer," which instead becomes sort of an app Rolodex.
And do you like Google Earth? It's on the Nexus One, thanks to its Snapdragon processor and 3D graphics capabilities.
What about accessories?
They're not available yet, but we've seen desktop and car docking systems go through the FCC. Both are said to have Bluetooth.
The desktop dock is now available for $45. (Updated 1/27)
Does the Nexus One have an app store?
Yep. It uses the Android Market, just like any other Android phone.
What are the technical specs of the Nexus One?
- Display: 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen at 800x480 pixels.
- Processor: Qualcomm QSD 8250 (Snapdragon) at 1GHz.
- Memory: 512 of storage memory (ROM), 512MB of program memory (RAM). Comes with 4GB MicroSD card, expandable to 32GB.
- Size: 119mm long, 59.8mm wide, 11.5mm thick.
- Battery: 1400mAh; is removable. Up to 10 hours talk time on 2G; 7 hours on 3G. Up to 290 hours of standby time.
- Weight: 130 grams with battery.
- WiFi: 802.11 b/g/
n. (Update: 802.11n is there, but turned off, for now.) - Bluetooth: 2.1 + EDR and stereo playback.
- Radios: GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz); HSDPA (download) up to 7.2Mbps; HSUPA (upload) up to 2Mbps. UMTS 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900)
- Location: Assisted GPS, with cell tower and WiFi triangulation.
- Camera: 5 megapixels, with autofocus and 2x digital zoom. LED flash.
