Nexus Moves 20,000 Units in Its First Week

[sooper_droid12]

Google Nexus One's First Week of Sales Were Weak, Report says - PC World

Granted, the N1 didn't have the mega marketing campaign the DROID had, but even so, the DROID moved 100,000 units in its first launch weekend. For 20,000 units across a week, utilizing a soft push, there must have been some influence from the high $500+ price tag, and the T-Mo partnership. I think we will see the true value of the phone when it moves to a real network like VZW. But by that time, there will be strong confirmations of other sexier Android phones, namely the Sony X10 and others. The N1 was even outsold by the MyTouch3G compared to its first week.

 

[ManMythLegend]

lol sonfabit<h....Just as I was done typing mine out I see the lil mini search and see you already got this up. =-P.


Ideally...
Nexus One becomes a hot new item that everyone wants...but noone buys. That way the ones that have it look awesome , and the the problems associated with it and Googles sales issues get rectified sooner.

 

[groovebutcher]

Only being sold through the web instead of at a wide number of retail outlets will also make a large difference from the Nexus and any other phones.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Well, this spells bad news for Google, as they were hoping it would be a platform. Whether they sold 200 or 200,000, I think they would have understood the limitations of their sales issues and problems. I mean, how many complaints does it take to recognize there's an issue? 30? 50? 100? One thing is for sure: Once the next manufacturer steps up to the plate, I'm sure Google will have figured out better ways to push the device. Bodes well for the N2.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Only being sold through the web instead of at a wide number of retail outlets will also make a large difference from the Nexus and any other phones.

This is true which why I already mentioned the "soft push." But remember, this is supposed to be Google's "new and innovative" sales model. The concept that web advertisement being further reaching and more invasive and penetrating than the traditional sales model. I think what you see here is that it isn't true. A banner ad while checking out Androlib.com can't replace 15 second spots on TV, in between shows on Must-See-TV. It can't replace the ability for a customer to walk into a "brick and mortar" store, get a hands-on feel. These are things I think Google has taken for granted. So, it IS an apt comparison because this was the comparison Google sought to make an example out of. Remember, Google's intent is to put this phone in the hands of a LOT of people. But that just doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[gshocker]

I think this is to be expected based on their limited distribution and the fact that they are offering a premium product. The masses will not understand what to get exactly and that is where the big numbers come from.

I think it is good that the numbers are a bit lower that hopes as their support system is clearly not up to the task yet.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Supposedly, the lack of a major advertising campaign is supposed to reduce the overall cost of the phone. So, is Google expecting us to believe that since they didn't have a major ad campaign on TV and in stores allowed them to lower the price of the device by $20 under contract and $70 from an unlocked version? Not really a savings in my opinion.

 

[jblazea50]

i think the low sales number has to do with the fact that they teamed up with TMobile and the service allowed for the subsidized plan. TMobile ranks as the 4th wireless carrier in the US and have a small market. Also, the only plan people can get is the $80 plan if they bought is subsidized and don't allow for it to be added to family plan and other plans. So, if someone wanted to add a line to family plan, they can't, unless they play the full price.

The other issue I see is the price for the unlocked device. Yes, it's a good deal since it is unlocked, but the economy is in bad shape and people aren't going to dump that much for a phone they can only use on TMobile.

Now, the sales would have been higher if Google had 2 versions of the phone that included 3G band for both TMobile and AT&T and allowed more choices for the plans.

 

[ManMythLegend]

i think the low sales number has to do with the fact that they teamed up with TMobile and the service allowed for the subsidized plan. TMobile ranks as the 4th wireless carrier in the US and have a small market. Also, the only plan people can get is the $80 plan if they bought is subsidized and don't allow for it to be added to family plan and other plans. So, if someone wanted to add a line to family plan, they can't, unless they play the full price.

The other issue I see is the price for the unlocked device. Yes, it's a good deal since it is unlocked, but the economy is in bad shape and people aren't going to dump that much for a phone they can only use on TMobile.

Now, the sales would have been higher if Google had 2 versions of the phone that included 3G band for both TMobile and AT&T and allowed more choices for the plans.

Agreed.
Sadly I think Tmo may get some of the blame. I hope it doesnt hurt the Google/Tmo relationship.

That said locking people into one plan is ludicrous. "Unlocked" with only one 3g band didnt make much sense.

Not even having dummy models in Tmo stores IMO is the real killer. Having demos in the store and even if Tmo stores were simply filling the orders would have led to many more sales IMO.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Dummy models would have been in conflict with what Google is trying to do, i.e. a true web experience, no "brick and mortar" stores. So, GOOG will live and die by this model until they swallow their pride and recognize that nothing beats the human experience of holding, seeing, playing with the device.

What Google SHOULD have done was WAIT. Why push out the N1 now? Why not wait until they had more than one carrier on board instead of pigeon-holing people into a T-Mo account knowing that MOST people buy their phones with a carrier plan. In other words, they didn't stack the deck for success.

I would have had T-Mo lined up. Had VZW lined up. Had Vodaphone ready to go. THEN LAUNCH the phone. In fact, this was a question Rubin was asked in an interview which he cleverly dodged. How can you tell people you're giving them options when there are only two vastly different options -- buy it for $500 or go with T-Mo?

 

[Howie]

Yeah I really think they should at least have one demo device at the store for people to even see it there. They might not hear of it otherwise. And get rid of the stupid plan limitations.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Yeah I really think they should at least have one demo device at the store for people to even see it there. They might not hear of it otherwise. And get rid of the stupid plan limitations.

Again, that's the point Google is trying to make: More people will hear about the Nexus with the web compared to the traditional "brick and mortar" stores because everyone searches the web everyday. Hence, no demo devices at T-Mo stores. On top of that, it's not even recognized as a T-Mo phone, which is another reason it's not at stores. T-Mo is just providing service.

 

[Howie]

Again, that's the point Google is trying to make: More people will hear about the Nexus with the web compared to the traditional "brick and mortar" stores because everyone searches the web everyday. Hence, no demo devices at T-Mo stores. On top of that, it's not even recognized as a T-Mo phone, which is another reason it's not at stores. T-Mo is just providing service.

How is anyone to hear about it online? They don't even have it on the Google home page anymore. There are people that don't keep up on every hot new device. And it's strange that they offer the phone with a contract, but isn't really a T-mo phone. I understand it being sold without contract like many other non-branded devices (for example: Nokia N900), but haven't ever seen a device sold with a contract, but not "official" (as is the case with Nexus One). Strange.

 

[sooper_droid12]

How is anyone to hear about it online?

I don't know!!! Ask Google, it's their model. All I know is I'm sick of the N1 banner ads cluttering up my webpages. Good luck seeing it if you have an AdBlocker! Oops, Google didn't think about that one!

Before this whole thing was unveiled and there was speculation of this kind of model, commentators were saying to Google, "At least partner up with Best Buy to distribute and manage customers," which I think would have helped and been great for the phone. It would have at least surpassed the MyTouch3G @ 60,000 in its first week.

 

[GoDawgs251]

I'm actually work at T-Mobile. It's seems to me that Google really played this wrong from several ends. I totally get and respect what they were trying to do though. Customers are coming up to the store expecting T-Mobile to actually have demos to play with. No one buys a 500+ phone without having their own hands on impressions with it first. Not only that, but a lot of them have heard of the device, but still don't understand why they can only get online or where they go online to get it. We tell them of course, but then they just ask again when we are going to get it in stores.

You know it's also bad when T-Mobile reps themselves refusing to mention the phone. Why go for a MyTouch 3g that's 400 full retail on a no contract plan when it's no longer even the best Android phone? That just hurts our in store numbers and not to mention our paychecks. It's gotten to the point where we don't even mention the N1 unless the customer brings it up first. Not to mention we can't accurately talk about the N1. I've only seen it myself 2 times, and both are with random customers looking to see if T-Mobile had some accessories such as screen protectors for it. They graciously allowed us to play with it and get some hands on impressions.

Like I said...I get what they were trying to do, but it just seems like something was lost in translation. This is way different than buying a book on amazon, or a pair of shoes online. I love the phone and am anxiously saving up myself to get it, but I think if people were expecting iPhone numbers this first week, then they were mistaken.

 

[Copa Native]

Its my belief that Google wanted this as a slowly rolling product.

Why would you roll out you new major line to a less than carrier unless you are basically using the small market as a test for bigger things to come.

Obviously there are significant hurdles to overcome. Customer Service, VoIP adoptation by users, and the Google 'Store'. All of these hurdles are much easier to grasp and fix when dealing with a soft release in limited numbers. Had this phone dropped 150k in the first week it would only compound the problems already being experienced.

 

[Mykpfsu]

How is anyone to hear about it online? They don't even have it on the Google home page anymore. There are people that don't keep up on every hot new device. And it's strange that they offer the phone with a contract, but isn't really a T-mo phone. I understand it being sold without contract like many other non-branded devices (for example: Nokia N900), but haven't ever seen a device sold with a contract, but not "official" (as is the case with Nexus One). Strange.

Adsense. Putting it on advertisements on several websites.
I think the problem is not solely you can only buy it online (for Xmas brick and mortar sales down but online sales were up) but rather Google's crappy options for getting it online. The smallest coverage network and not really great pricing options if you were already on Tmobile or were on a family plan. Its just not that superior of a phone to warrant the prices.

 

[Rhysd2]

firstly: I dont trust pc world much so I'll wait til I see a more credible source citing that.

Secondly: I dont want to get into the details too much as Im sure we all think differently on this but I agree with some others that google are purposly planning a slow roll out. hence the delayed roll out to european carriers etc.

thirdly Who cares!! as long as the phones what I expected and wanted when it arrives I dont care if they ship 5 5000 or 5 million just live love and use the phone guys

 

[TOR]

I've not even seen any ads for the N1 online! Plenty of Google Chrome billboards around where I live in the UK though.

 

[Napster]

The moto droid needed a massive advertising campaign since the device is only mediocre quality, mediocre usability and to hide the ergonomic nightmare.


The Nexus One needs no campaign due to superior hardware, superior design and build quality.

 

[Mykpfsu]

The moto droid needed a massive advertising campaign since the device is only mediocre quality, mediocre usability and to hide the ergonomic nightmare.


The Nexus One needs no campaign due to superior hardware, superior design and build quality.

Yes its so bad ergonomically that people who were actually able to touch and hold it bought it in large amounts. Nice logic there Sherlock.

 

[Copa Native]

The moto droid needed a massive advertising campaign since the device is only mediocre quality, mediocre usability and to hide the ergonomic nightmare.


The Nexus One needs no campaign due to superior hardware, superior design and build quality.

More facts I see.

 

[sooper_droid12]

Yes its so bad ergonomically that people who were actually able to touch and hold it bought it in large amounts. Nice logic there Sherlock.

Dude, don't try to reason with those kinds of comments. The DROID sold 1.2 million units. There's a reason for that other than advertisement campaigns. It means that people were veritably impressed by the device. Not only do you have to sell that many, but consumers have to RETAIN the device. If it sucked so bad, people would have returned it.

 

[sooper_droid12]

firstly: I dont trust pc world much so I'll wait til I see a more credible source citing that.

It's not PC World. It's Flurry Analytics. Flurry offers cutting-edge analytics, deployment and monetization tools for mobile application developers. They are able to estimate the number of units in the market and have been pretty accurate with the other three phones listed in the comparison. It's a pretty accurate estimate, but still an estimate

 

[ManMythLegend]

The moto droid needed a massive advertising campaign since the device is only mediocre quality, mediocre usability and to hide the ergonomic nightmare.


The Nexus One needs no campaign due to superior hardware, superior design and build quality.

Everybody needs advertising. Unless Google thinks they make Nexus one the paranormal activity of phones they need to get this device into peoples line of sight.