Nexus One starting to show up in third party retail channels, commands big money

By Chris Ziegler

posted May 25th 2010 7:59PM

If you want to know what Google meant by "more retail availability" for the Nexus One when it talked about spiking its first-party phone store, take a good, hard look at our brave new world here. Independent retailer i Wireless has started offering a number of Android devices in the past few days, including the Nexus One -- a product that's still extraordinarily difficult to find outside of Google's own site, especially since none of the American Big Four carriers intend to offer it directly. It turns out that i Wireless is an authorized T-Mobile affiliate, so they're selling the phone for $299.95 on contract after rebate -- a good bit more than the $179 Google charges, but in return, it looks like you can select just about any plan T-Mobile offers (Google restricts you to the Even More 500 plan to get the subsidy). We think we already miss the old way of getting these things.

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i wireless Introduces Android 3G Smartphones

Devices Offer Personalized Look, Feel, and Functionality

Coralville, IA (PRWEB) May 19, 2010 -- i wireless continues to offer the latest smartphones by announcing the arrival of new Android operating system devices. Customers will be able to purchase Android devices, including models that are 3G capable, at over 250 retail locations or at the i wireless website beginning May 18, 2010.

Android devices allow users to personalize their phones look, feel, and functionality with over 40,000 applications (apps) available via download through the Android Market store. Preloaded with Google apps and built to multitask, Android feature-rich devices create a superior mobile experience.

"We are excited to add the most popular Android devices to our complete line-up of smartphones," says Gary Baron, vice president of marketing, i wireless. "Customers will be given the option to choose from Motorola, HTC, and Samsung models that best fits their lifestyle."

i wireless will offer several Android devices including the Motorola Milestone, 3G Nexus One by Google, HTC Hero, and 3G Samsung Behold II, all designed take full advantage of the wide array of available apps.

i wireless customers will have immediate access to 3G coverage and 10x faster data speeds in T-Mobile markets including Des Moines and Ames, Iowa, and over 130 cities in the U.S. serving over 200 million people. i wireless will rollout 3G service in the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo/Cedar Falls, and Iowa City markets throughout the summer, with completion scheduled for August 2010. In addition to faster speeds, customers will experience the ability to multi-task – text, email, or surf the web while talking on their 3G phone.

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, i wireless is a partnership between T-Mobile USA and Iowa Network Services (a consortium of 127 Iowa Independent Telecommunications Companies). i wireless has over 250 full-service company stores and authorized dealers across Iowa, western Illinois, and eastern Nebraska, offering customers the largest regional and nationwide coverage on the most advanced high-speed voice and data network. For more information, visit www.iwireless.com or contact Sarah Harpring at 319-390-7254.