Nexus One lives on as Google's official developer phone

Well, it looks like the now slightly dated Google Ion finally has an official successor -- Google has just announced that the Nexus One is its new developer phone. It apparently remains unchanged from the recently-axed consumer model, however, and Google notes that it will ship with Android 2.1 but receive Android 2.2 shortly after you turn it on. Got your developer credentials handy? Then you can log in and get your order in right now for $529.

Update: We just got a look at the specs on Google's developer site and it looks like the Nexus One on offer is unfortunately T-Mobile only. Check out the tell-tale bands for yourself after the break.

Update 2: The specs mention that the device has "no root access" and that the bootloader is locked, but we're taking this to mean it's no different from any other Nexus One you'd buy. More ominously, though, it says that fastboot isn't enabled, which leads us to wonder whether this is going to cause problems with bootloader unlocks in the field. Let's keep our fingers crossed. Thanks, Carson!

[LIve2Lin Posted Aug 5th 2010 8:19PM]

Considering that the bootloader no longer needs to be unlocked to root the device, why even bother with trying to do it? Unless you hardcore want to run Ubuntu or something natively on the device, it seems like a pointless operation, to me.

[Prostate of Grace Posted Aug 5th 2010 8:21PM]

I rooted my Nexus One without unlocking the bootloader. No need to worry about that now, things have come a long way with this phone.

[xboomer Posted Aug 5th 2010 8:24PM]

Not sure what this means for my at&t banded nexus one. Maybe it is a collector's item. I feel like I need another one. As a spare since I have no interest in another device or (GSM) carrier.

How much?

[stockypeasant Posted Aug 6th 2010 4:08AM]

i posted this earlier but incase it wasnt seen

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brightstar-adds-googles-nexus-one-to-android-device-global-distribution-program-100026499.html

i guess this company will be handeling the nexus one supply and in the third paragraph they mention "LCD" screen ( not Amoled) and 2.2 froyo (not 2.1 which is what they came with at first)