More Nexus One Rumors, fact or wishing?

With all the new rumors coming in this week, it's easy to get caught up in the hype of the Nexus One. An unlocked, HOT handset for $199 before "Google rebate" of $100 is almost too good to be true. And now they are by invite only from Google. Both a way to fairly distribute what could be a limited share of phones and an excellent marketing concept. Keep in mind, this is one of the most talked about, most reported phones of the YEAR, and it's the 2nd half of December. Google has gotten prime time marketing and not spent a dime on it. To restrict access to this only causes us poor users to droll just that much more.

What does this tell us? From my point of view, it says that people WANT Google to take a chance on breaking the phone company's iron grip on the industry. We can't count on the phone industry to change itself anymore, and legislation isn't always the right way to go.

With AT&T delivering what is really sub par phone service to a vast number of people while raking in billions in profit, yet growing their customer base because of the draw and marketing of the iPhone, there is little motivation for them to change at all. No matter how frustrated I get with AT&T's service, lack of non-iPhone smart phones, I still believe they are free to set their pricing model as they see fit. I can tell you I won't be extending my contracts and when I can afford to pay the EFT's to drop their service, then I will move to a different carrier.

With a growing number of users sharing these same frustrations (visit this thread in the AT&T customer forums), it's easy to see why people's wishing is becoming rumors. I personally still believe that the Nexus One is going to be like it's other ADP offerings, hopefully at a reduced price. Especially true since I tried to flash a bad ROM to my G1 and now have a G1 shaped paperweight.

With the hype and mentions of the "developers get first dibs" being thrown out there, I would imagine a sharp upswing in the number of people who register in the next few weeks. An extra $25 to get first in line for a 1Ghz, 512MB, 802.11b/g/n phone for a rumored $99 after rebate? Sounds like a pretty inexpensive wager to me, one I personally took up. I'm also a part time software developer, so it works out fairly well.

What are your thoughts? What excites YOU about the Nexus One, or will you pass on it for another phone?

Nexus One, savior of the cell phone industry?

I've been reading a bunch about the Nexus One that was given to Google employees and the speculations have been amazing to say the least. I won't go over the details of those speculations, but I will note that there is a trend. Early reports, those without facts to back them up, spoke to Google changing the way the cell phone industry worked.

There is some evidence of Google wanting to change how the wireless industry works. Back in 2007 Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google stated "Consumers deserve more competition and innovation than they have in today's wireless world. No matter which bidder ultimately prevails, the real winners of this auction are American consumers who likely will see more choices than ever before in how they access the Internet." when referring to opening part of the wireless spectrum. Keeping that in mind, what do I think is Google's long term plan? To sell advertising. More products that people use means more places where Google can sell advertising and more information they can use to deliver context appropriate ads.

Now that more and more facts are leaked about the phone, the rumors and speculation are becoming a little more believable but still are looking for Google to change the wireless industry. Why does everyone think Google is going to change the wireless world? Because they want someone, anyone to enter the market and change how things work. Open handsets on an open network is what people (at least me) want. I'm not saying cell phone companies should be giving away service for free, but I do think it's time for their ways to change. The Nexus One could, if rumors of Google selling it cost or subsidizing it themselves, be a big step in allowing people freedom of networks, but only if versions come out for more than T-mobile.

My speculations? I think that Google will sell this phone directly as a developer phone and will "let" T-mobile sell the device under their branding. Just like what we saw with the G1 and My Touch. Those were both Android Developer Phones before they became T-mobile's branded handsets. I hope I'm wrong. I hope that Google does sell the phone for $100, or $200. I hope they come out with versions that work on AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. I hope they raise the bar with competition between them and the other manufactures in the Open Handset Alliance. Doing so would hurt cell phone carriers, but not all change comes without a little pain.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Nexus One? Will it be the savior of the cell phone industry, or will it be another developer device? Let me know!