Exclusive: first Google Phone / Nexus One photos, Android 2.1 on-board

Well here you have it folks, honest-to-goodness pics of the Google Phone... AKA, the Nexus One. As you can see by the photos, the design of the device is largely similar to those we've seen, but the graphic on back is slightly different, and that piece of tape is covering a QR code (how very Google of them). Just like we've heard before, the updated OS features new 3D elements to the app tray, as well as an extended amount of homescreens, though it looks like the lock screen / mute is the same as in Android 2.0.1. Additionally, there's now a new grid icon at the bottom of the homescreen, which when pressed brings up a webOS card-style preview of all homescreen pages -- which raises some interesting possibilities. Apparently there's been a new software update for the device pushed tonight, and sure enough the phone is identified as the Nexus One on the system info page. Quite clearly this device is running on T-Mobile, and is also using WiFi, so there's two other questions you've got answers to. The phone also appears to come loaded up with Google Navigation (a bit of a no-brainer) and the brand-spanking-new Google Goggles. Hardware wise, the Nexus does look incredibly thin and sleek, and while there's not a slew of buttons (those four up front are clearly touch sensitive), there is a dedicated volume rocker along the side. Oh, and note this... no HTC logo anywhere to be found. We'll update the post as / if we get more info, but for now, feast your eyes on the gallery below!

Update: One item of interest. In the packaging there's a quick start guide which points users to a "questions" page at google.com/phone/support. The page is a dead end right now, but it certainly gets an eyebrow raise from us. If there is a real Google Phone in the offing, that seems a likely landing page for support.

Update 2: In case you're interested, here's Android 2.1's boot animation for Nexus One. Eerily familiar, no?

[Thanks, RD]

Google Phone / Nexus One exclusive photos

[mab1376 Posted Dec 15th 2009 1:36PM]

Why no physical keyboard. I hate this touchscreen bullS$&*

[ajohn483 Posted Dec 15th 2009 3:10PM]

Does anyone have a detail list of all the changes going to be added with Android 2.1?

[ajohn483 Posted Dec 15th 2009 3:10PM]

And what happen Verizon getting this phone?

[malibumac Posted Dec 15th 2009 6:48PM]

Where's the application tray?

[psudoplex Posted Dec 15th 2009 11:17PM]

This phone looks to be very exciting and interesting! It is going to be very interesting to see how Google flips the whole wireless industry on its side. There is already a forum setup to discuss all the goodness that is this phone... http:///www.nexususers.com

[Aussierules Posted Dec 16th 2009 2:34AM]

Seriously, when TF is this or the iphone or another xda going to have a second/swivel CAMERA IN THE FRONT? Video calling on a mobile has been around since 3G - at least since 2003 in Australia. Eg. http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/services/video_calling.html

[nexusone Posted Dec 16th 2009 6:34PM]

Is the software really going to be the major differentiator here? The "ads" pushed to the phone to help subsidize it?

I guess only time will tell..

http://www.nexusoneforum.net

[champ1979 Posted Dec 16th 2009 8:29PM]

Is Google observing the blogosphere before taking action on Nexus One?

http://99answers.com/cloud.aspx?cloud=17

[Nadeem Posted Dec 17th 2009 12:54AM]

I was just wondering. What if google phone is not the google phone. I mean we know its made my HTC and the fact that there is no branding of HTC leads us to assume that this has gotta be it. So i back tracked and i believe it was the later part of November when the image of this exact phone was leaked WITH HTC branding. I wonder if this is an ingenious ploy by HTC to get as much hype built about the phone as possible. If google can give Motorola 2.0 why not give HTC ( who they clearly have a great relationship with ) 2.1 . I mean think about it, its so simple, all the many many many assumptions and speculations are based on leaked info.

Secondly, if i am wrong, what will happen to Sony Ericsson who have, its safe to say, put all their eggs in one basket i.e Android to save the company ala Motorola. If Google is planning on selling this phone ( subsidized ) i dont think anyone's going to want to buy X10 for a much higher price and basically older software. I reckon no one. And lets face it Google is much more accepted ( if you will ) than Sony Ericsson . I am really baffled.

[jayminho Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:58PM]

i dont believe in such thing as GOOGLE PHONE, i do believe in another android phone, that goes by the name of NEXUS ONE. this is it. plain and simple.

if it has any other name than GOOGLE PHONE, it automatically, is not a google phone, just another smartphone running googles OS

duhhh

anyway, its still an amazing marketing strategy

[jgp Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:34PM]

No keyboard, no sale.

I'll stick with my N900.

[trevinlovett Posted Dec 19th 2009 7:05PM]

@jgp
Me too I hate the whole MMS and I also hate portrait mode.

[trevinlovett Posted Dec 19th 2009 7:00PM]

this isn't the iPhone killer, nor the N900 killer or even the DROID killer, its the EVERYTHING DESTROYER!!!! after this phone there will be nothing else.

[alfielee Posted Dec 20th 2009 2:37PM]

I'd like to understand the rationale that the Googlephone will end Android when it runs Android. That's fairly nonsensical to say the least. The fact that the phone will be running Android would say that it supports its own OS wouldn't it? If I'm missing something here please enlighten me.

Also to the nitwit who believes the Googlephone's opening screen shows that the Googlephone is copying Windows logo, get a life. You have got to be kidding. Why did you waste everyone's time with that worthless piece of junk article? Yes, Windows may well use rbgy, wow, it's not like anyone else doesn't use those 4 colours now does it? What a pointless piece of trite garbage. The similarity of colour is the only comparison that comes out remotely similar. Other than that it is hardly alike.

[alfielee Posted Dec 20th 2009 3:59PM]

@alfielee I have now read the info on why Googlephone may end Android. I guess there is some measure of truth in what was said bcoz of the messing of Android by the manufacturers & bottlenecking of Google access by telecoms, Optus is doing this in Oz & I'm sure that others will interfere as well soon, but I don't really believe that by creating its own phone that is going to be the end of Android. That will be for the consumer to decide & so far Android is looking successful despite these problems.

[heatgap Posted Dec 21st 2009 2:14AM]

Cool and all, just not as secksy as the Droid. Thank god there is something out there to ACTUALLY compete with iPhone now. Android 2.0 rocks iPhones socks. I love my Droid and Android 2.0.1 ... such a secksy beast and yes it is a beast.

I will never regret leaving AT&T and iPhone for Android, best gadget move I've made so far. AT&T has all these shit-talking commercials about how you can surf/talk on phone at the same time with Verizon. Well maybe if you didn't have to suckle every tiny bit of service you can get; and cram your surfing and talking together to make up for the time lost not being able to find a signal. AT&T is fighting back with ads but never fixes the problem. I will gladly tell anyone using an iPhone on AT&T that you will regret not going with a better provider and Android. It's simply better.

[Biotite Posted Dec 23rd 2009 10:37AM]

I'm inclined to think that the Nexus One is also the HTC Bravo/Passion which could mean that it is the Googlephone, as it'd be possible to get it on any carrier.

[bel3ax Posted Dec 23rd 2009 1:53PM]

There is already a website that is all about nexus one cases http://www.nexus-one-cases.org Someone is thinking ahead... LOL

[Nienhan Posted Dec 28th 2009 3:37AM]

Seriously engadget, your pictures suck in terms of quality. Better than mr.blurry cam, but not much. I thought Nikon sent in a monster sample for you guys? Maybe use that...

[bigfatpanda Posted Dec 28th 2009 4:16AM]

I hope this phone gets global. I really love google products.. but I don't like how they presented this phone. It looks really.. ordinary? Maybe the software pays up for it.

[MightyMuna Posted Dec 28th 2009 6:22AM]

so nexus one = htc bravo? someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[nexusonebb Posted Jan 5th 2010 11:08AM]

Is there anyway to watch the press conference live? What are the chances you will need an invite to get the nexus one?
http://nexusonebb.com/forums/

[bel3ax Posted Jan 5th 2010 3:31PM]

wow, it looks like the ultimate iPhone killer! I ordered one and also ordered this http://www.nexus-one-cases.org/nexus-one-cases-Horizontal-Black-Case-with-Stitching-Pouch.html to go along with it. Can't wait for the package to arrive!

[CdARob Posted Jan 5th 2010 3:52PM]

I'm kinda anti Apple because of their arrogance, but looks do matter - the smaller Milestone and Nexus One icons blow!

The iPhone screen icons are way sexy, and in my opinion are a huge reason the phone is a hit. Google needs to get beyond their normal utilitarian design ethos and go bold and colorful with the UI on these phones.

[twovoz Posted Jan 5th 2010 8:37PM]

Please...
I would like to know the difference between Blackberry, Droid, iPhone and Nexus One phone.
Which is the best/better.

Please let me know. Thanks

[christylier Posted Jan 7th 2010 6:19PM]

This phone is the bomb. The android OS is killer. It’s going to be on par with iPhone very soon. Developing apps for Android is just so much easier for non experts over developing on iPhone. Check out some videos here http://thenexusgooglephone.com/ and other Android and Nexus Phone info.

[mobiliario Posted Jan 24th 2010 6:21AM]

Very good cell phone
http://www.moveisonline.pt