The Google Phone: what we know... and what we don't (updated)
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted December 13th 2009 6:58PM
posted December 13th 2009 6:58PM
- The phone doesn't really have an official name, though it's obviously being referred to as the Google Phone, and both its user agent string (browser identifier) and EXIF data on pictures taken on the device identify it as the "Nexus One," which we take to be a code name for the phone (it's also a reference to a line of replicants in the film Blade Runner). Some shots identify the device as "Phone 88," apparently an earlier code name. It is highly unlikely it will be released to the public as the Nexus One, in our opinion.
- The phone was given to Google employees at an all-hands meeting on Friday, December 10th. The story broke when a number of Googlers tweeted about the phone.
- Google posted on its blog that it was experimenting with "eating its own dogfood" on the Android front by giving employees "around the globe" a device to test. There have been zero -- zero -- official statements about Google selling the device to retailers or directly to consumers. There is a Wall Street Journal article which claims that this is the strategy Google is headed in, but the post contains a number of poorly sourced and suspect facts, so we say take it with a major grain of salt. Other reports say "what if" and "could." That doesn't make it so. As of right now, the only way to get this phone is to work for Google.
- The phone itself appears to be the HTC Dragon / Passion (with at least the specs of the Bravo, which looks to be a variant of the other models). All are Snapdragon-based phones with a 3.7-inch AMOLED displays, 5 megapixel cameras, and no physical keyboards.
- There have been rumors (or fact, as stated in the aforementioned WSJ report) that this phone runs a "real" or different version of Android. Based on the pictures we've seen, this is inaccurate. It appears to run a version of Android that looks nearly identical to the version currently found on the Droid (2.0.1) -- Google's latest, most official device. The version number we've heard is Android 2.1, which would not be a drastic departure from 2.0.
- There are rumors that if sold, the device will be available unlocked and able to function on both AT&T and T-Mobile 3G bands. A source tells us that they have spoken with someone with first-hand knowledge, and this is the case, despite earlier rumors that it would only function using T-Mobile's 3G network.
And now, some philosophical perspective on what this device could mean, depending on how it ends up coming to market.
As we said, there is currently a theory floating around that the Google Phone will be sold directly by Google to consumers, or by the company to retailers and carriers. If that is the case, it should cause a real splintering of the Open Handset Alliance, and could also be a sign that Google is moving away from its "all in" mentality demonstrated at the birth of Android. Positioning itself as the purveyor of the "real" Google Phone, while controlling distribution of both hardware and software for that device could be hugely disruptive to its current strategy of 'one platform, many devices' (clearly taken from the Windows Mobile handbook). A move to full control over its ecosystem and hardware in this way certainly calls to mind something closer to Apple's strategy, though it is still confusing as to why Google would make this move given the relative success and growth of Android worldwide. Our guess would be the pressures to homogenize the experience and give developers a single path to app creation may now seem more logical to the company; it's worked beautifully for their biggest rival.
What everyone seems to be ignoring is the fact that Google has created two other "Google Phones" in the past; the Dev Phone 1 (shock, an unlocked phone that Google sold online!), and the Ion. Both were "Google" phones, both were given out to employees early on, and both were built by HTC. They also both went on to become "with Google" devices, and it's entirely possible that the Nexus One is the next generation of those phones. Given the fact that there is currently no developer device with specs similar to Android's current high water mark (the Droid), seeing a new dev phone with a faster CPU, newer version of Android, and higher resolution screen actually makes perfect sense. If we were the betting type, we'd say you were going to see this phone come to market much in the way the myTouch and G1 did -- as official, Google branded devices. Google Phones, if you will.
Regardless, all we know of this phone and Google's strategy behind it has been built largely atop rumors. The phone clearly exists, and some employees clearly have it, but as to what the long term positioning will be, Google has been 100 percent silent -- a point to note when reading articles claiming that this device is "confirmed" as being sold by Google. There is no evidence of that. For now, stay tuned -- we'll have more info as we get it!
Update: Peter Kafka over at All Things Digital says that T-Mobile is now on-board to sell this device as an unsubsidized, unlocked phone through its retail channels (he claims the big G first went to Verizon, but was turned down). That doesn't really make a lot of sense if the phone does indeed work on both T-Mobile and AT&T 3G networks. We can't see what's in it for T-Mobile in that scenario, unless this were 3G only on its network, like... previous Google dev phones. We can't help but feel there's a crucial piece of this puzzle still missing -- here's hoping we get that info soon.
Update 2: A tipster who has played with phone has some interesting tidbits about the new version of Android. Our source says that the app tray has been changed, and that instead of scrolling through icons, it now "flips" to a new page with a "3D tinge." We're also told that it's fast -- faster than the Droid. One disappointing note: our tipster says there's no multitouch to be found in the browser... AKA, no pinch to zoom.
So long as somebody makes an android phone that actually "updates" with new android's releases I'm sold and never look back. Until then I'll stick with an iphone where I know I'll get more than 1 years support and updates out the device on a 2 year contract. Android phones and makers without the the mentality to "let google and every day people maintain its codebase for this device while providers focus on the services" is just another stagnant and outdated phone. Its literally dead right when you buy it.
As far the update, with T Mobile offering to sell it, thats not crazy shocking, considering T Mobile recently put out the "no contract" plans where you can bring your own device or buy one out right from them.
I can see Verizon saying no to that, as they have not ever been very open with their devices, but T Mobile is pushing the "lower month bill prices, but phones are more up to the consumer"
Either way, I'm very very interested!
google should further push free public mesh networks, sell their display ads through that medium, and give us free communication - voip with data
The story so far:
Non cell tech savvy employees at Google are given ADP 3 phones, and get the details all jacked up, tech bloggers go berserk and predict the 2nd coming of Christ.
T-Mobile is now on-board to sell this device as an unsubsidized, unlocked phone through its retail channels... That doesn't really make a lot of sense if the phone does indeed work on both T-Mobile and AT&T 3G networks. We can't see what's in it for T-Mobile in that scenario..."
I can see what's in it for T-Mobile: They get to promote their new plans. If a person is willing to shell out the extra for an unlocked phone, then they may be interested in exploring T-Mobile's network since the prices are pretty cheap and there's no annual contract with Even More Plus.
Granted, you have to pay an initial connection fee, but if the T-Mobile's network ends up sucking for the customer, then he/she can just jump over to AT&T without paying an ETF.
After having an HTC phone... among the things that were not cool, but I lived with unknowingly with the thing [which gives me pause for another HTC device] I have to say it is about time HTC puts a decent camera in their gear. These shots are so pathetic, quality wise...
i think i have a really good idea of what is going on... if this is indeed the gsm google phone, than the bravo is htc creating a similar phone with their branding, only for cdma!!! obviously htc wants to create the next big phone and not give google all the spotlight, but they probably dont want to directly compete with them.. So they make it for a different carrier (and technology)... i bet my money the bravo comes to verizon early 2010
All transmitters using reserved frequencies in the US require FCC approval, no? So then where is the FCC approval for this phone? Google just handed out hundreds of these things and they couldn't all be using them illegally.
@wonderbread good point, but if they put in for fcc approval they can choose to make it not public for a little while
Now all we need is some price info (hope its reasonable;lets say $375.00) and confirmed at&t support
How about this: strike up nice roaming agreements with VZ, Sprint, Tmo, and AT&T for 3G data. Toss 3G radios (no voice) in and have a phone that is carrier agnostic meaning it will choose whatever source has the best data coverage. That would rock.
@thedigitante how would you prevent it from being used with a voice plan? Seems strange to intentionally cripple the hardware like that... a 3g radio sends both voice and data (has anyone made a chip that doesn't?) it might make sense to leave out a non 3g radio if that could cut costs, but it seems silly to me to disallow someone from making non VOIP calls.
@NateB I guess I wasn't saying disallow voice calls altogether. I was more interested having a network agnostic phone. The easiest way to do so would be to strike up data roaming agreements with the major carriers and have a 3G radio for each in there. Then you just VOIP phone calls and you can go anywhere.
Basically a MVNO that is data only and works on multiple networks vs Sprint-only like Virgin, for example.
Does anyone else get a kick out of the reflection in the screen revealing that the picture for this article was taken with an iPhone... what will be the "Google Phone's" biggest competitor!
@maroongold And he has a Sprint Curve sitting on the table.
If you look closely at the picture you can see in the glare of the phone screen that the guy took a picture of it with an iPhone LOL. Ha ha
You might wanna change the date to the 11th (or the day to Thursday...)
Also I don't understand why it would be "hugely disruptive to its current strategy of 'one platform, many devices' " if google does market this phone themselves... Unless they close the source for Android 2.1 so no one else can put out a phone with the same OS then it isn't exclusionary at all. Just cause the developers of the platform also sell hardware doesn't mean there will be "a single path to app creation". Has there been any indication that it will be closed to non google approved apps? Is there any reason to think that all competitors would choose to stop making hardware that runs Android just because google is selling this device? I can't see any reason to compare this strategy to Apple any more than any other company which has ever sold cell phones with an in house OS.
it is not a good news for the mobilephonemakers but for consumers.
If this phone is going to be sold unsubsidized, doesnt that mean something like a 400 dollar price tag at least? Probably more as the ADP1 is $399. Does anyone think people are going to pay more for a phone then they can for a playstation?
I had a chance to play with this phone this afternoon. OLED screen, removable battery, 1ghz processor, MicroSD slot, and a clickable trackball at the bottom. Seems to have cpu cycles to spare. They've dropped gimmicks on it by default like wallpaper that generates 'pond ripples' when you touch it. Nice form factor- thin as an iphone, and maybe a bit narrower. Seemed rather plain jane overall. Not anything to get too excited about IMO.
@perma
suuuuuuurreee..
@perma
Instead of reporting on obvious elements of the device, how about telling us if it ran on AT&T's 3G network or T-Mobile's AWS or both. Of all the bs that people who have reported having played with it, that seems to be something worth reporting.
@cherryboom
WHOA! Take a chill pill guy! No need to get your panties up in a bunch...
I think the iPhone is great but the conservative in me does not like too much regulation!
Long Live Google and Android
F*** those who disagree like this guy^
despite how the apple fan-people are going to/already do feel about this, im pretty stoked to see in the works an android phone I may actually purchase, even if it costs 500 dollars.
@Josh
"an Subsidized..."
Isn't the correct use of the word "an" mean that it can only be used before vowels?
@geekthree Actually, an is used before words that sound like they have a vowel at the beginning. No, Josh's use is incorrect, just wanted to clear that up.
@cherryboom
lol I can't wait to see the replies to this one...
Anyone else notice that the phone looks like it says HTC at the top in the first picture with the mac, where its sitting next to it. The rest don't have the label...and the rumor is the 'google' phone won't have any labels. Nice inconsistancies in the pictures.
Damn it. I just switched over to Sprint.
@sfox8
Why bother with replying to him? Look at his comments history. Its the same damn thing over and over again. Pathetic really.
I think Google should not get into hardware biz .. They should do what Microsoft did for the PCs .. just control the software and ecosystems ..
@cherryboom People are allowed to have their opinions of things.
I might say something like, "I can't believe that you are so tied up in your iPhone that you feel the need to defend it against someone across the internet."
Stupid Verizon! they keep turning down all sorts of good phones!!! (or people are telling storys)
Given the form factor, I assume it uses a mini usb connector as on the Sprint Hero. Hopefully with enough market share this will give the dock manufactures reason to spread out a little from the IPhone.
Anyone heard if this version of Android will solve the glitch about not being able to make a hands free call?
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=5495
This is why I had to return my Droid. I have to be in the car way too much to not have this feature. And its still not fixed on it, but then again, if I was Google and was coming out with my own phone, I wouldnt worry about fixing something on the Droid.
Anyone have any info/update on this?
"the device identify it as the "Nexus One," which we take to be a code name for the phone (it's also a reference to a line of replicants in the film Blade Runner)."
That would be "NEXUS SIX" you STUPID FUCKING BINDI FUCKWAD HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!