No I do understand that. Your comment about the Droid only adds confusion to this thread and seems extremely out of place considering what you are saying now. I almost feel like you're back pedaling.
Look at your post:
Pick up a Droid and see how "drastically" different it is. You said it right there - that you where expecting something drastically different versus other Android phones. You didn't say anything about sales channels, branding, or "changing the way phones are sold". Of course now you've add all that stuff and even edited your first post to reflect your shift.
All I am saying is that if anyone expected something massively different in Android then they were being a bit naive. All the leaked video's and info clearly showed that the phone basically consisted of a newer generation of hardware and updated version of Android. In that post it sounds like you where expecting some massive shift in Android compared to the version running on the Droid.
Well lets back up a bit here. Its not as if someone on their own created the idea that the N1 would be game changing in how everyone used cell phones. That came from Google. Maybe the videos showed something different. But they never really got into calling and what not. Remember when Google was leaking it was going to be all VOIP, you would only need to buy a data only plan, etc. That was them, not everyone else. So yeah of course people expected a game changer and Google did not live up to its own hype.
I don't own a Nexus One - I have a Hero. I personally consider the Hero to be a superphone when I compare it to the plethora of smart phones I've had in the past. When looking at the Nexus One I realized that while the device delivered better hardware and some improvements to Android it did not introduce anything revolutionary to Android. In fact when my wife asked about it I told her "It's like my phones big brother - who pops steroids." However knowing what I can do with my Hero the idea of a bigger screen and faster processor makes the Nexus One alluring to me - it's like Superphone +1.
The phone was only released 10 days ago and as of this moment only 1 of 2 announced US carriers have the device. The method of sales is new and a bit confusing to people. Calling it a failure at this point is a bit premature.
Well truly its only a failure if Google planned on selling more the 20k units. Yes sales will pick up when it launches on Verizon. But if they want a huge increase Google needs to make some fundamental changes to their whole store idea. First off if you're on a family plan, no upgrade for you please pay $530. Yes they lowered the upgrade cost and thats all well and good, but if they don't give you more options on plans it doesn't really matter. I mean why pay $279 for a N1 on a 2 year plan when you can get the Droid for $239 on a 1 year plan. The N1 is just not that superior to the Droid to warrant the current pricing structure.
Then you get into support. I like the N1. But the idea that if I have to return it not only will I have to contact AT LEAST 2 out of the 3 companies involved, but I'm going to have to loan HTC another $530 (at least going by another poster) is making this a no purchase for me. I'm fine with not being able to take it to the local Verizon IF I only need to deal with one company and I dont have to loan them money (if they think the phone is really not broken after returning and want to charge me $530 it is another matter). But right now its Google to cancel the line and HTC to return the phone.