Theory! I NOW have a theory... The Nexus 1 is the Google Phone. It will be sold by Google directly and unlocked for GSM. This phone IS NOT the Passion. The Nexus 1 will exist simply to have a new GSM offering, but Verizon (who is partnered with Google) will be getting the Passion, which will be a nicer phone and have some better features.

So...there ya go. That's my theory. GSM carriers will get a new nice Android phone, but Verizon will get a KILLER new Android phone. Everyone wins that way, and Verizon gets an advantage because they are partnered with Google in the Android endeavor. There. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it, at least until some new news comes out next week. haha I think it kinda makes sense though.

 

Google Inc. has designed a cellphone it plans to sell directly to consumers as soon as next year, according to people familiar with the matter.
The phone is called the Nexus One and is being manufactured for Google by HTC Corp., these people said. It runs Android, the operating system for mobile phones that Google developed, they added.
But unlike the more than half-dozen Android phones made by phone manufacturers today, Google designed virtually the entire software experience behind the phone, from the applications that run on it to the look and feel of each screen.
The Internet giant is taking a new, and potentially risky, approach to selling the device. Rather than selling the phone through a wireless carrier--the way the bulk of phones are sold in the U.S. today--Google plans to sell the Nexus One itself online. Users will have to buy cellular service for the device separately.
Google began sharing a version of the Nexus One with employees in recent days, according to several people familiar with the matter. In a blog post Saturday, Google wrote that it was sharing a new device running its Android operating system with employees to "experiment with new mobile features and capabilities."
The phone is a significant escalation of Google's assault on the mobile industry, challenging both wireless carriers that sell devices as well as companies that design them.
Google became a high-profile player in mobile two years ago, when it launched Android. Google designed the software to seed its mobile applications, such as Gmail and Google Maps, and increase usage of the Internet from phones to grow its online advertising business. A number of leading handset manufacturers, including Motorola Inc., built phones running the software, some of which contain branding "powered by Google."
But the phones--many of which just hit the market in recent months--haven't sold nearly as well as Apple Inc.'s iPhone, which is capturing more interest from software developers.
Now, Google appears to want to throw its brand behind a device more directly, designing a phone without working with the wireless carriers that often dictate what features they allow on their networks.
The move could alienate wireless carriers and handset makers that offer Android phones and do not want to compete with Google. Google has repeatedly said that its goal is to have hundreds of Android phones rather than one.
The move also marks a rare foray into direct sales for Google. With the exception of an appliance it markets as a search tool to businesses, the company hasn't sold hardware in the past.

 

Google Nexus One has a 3.5 inch AMOLED screen. This new Google phone will be sold online in the first quarter of 2010.
Amazing blacks! just see for yourself, I found a good photo right here:
Google Nexus One Phone

 

As great as this phone sounds, I was hoping for a 3.7" display.

 

That's the famous unlockr phone! Personally, I think the Bravo/Passion is much better looking than that. The NExus also has a true trackball, where as I prefer the optical trackpad on the Passion.

 

I believe Nash is on to something but I am not sure there will be ANY difference between the Passion and the Nexus, and that VZW will get the Passion, T-Mob US too?, and that screen is NOT 3.5in, don't worry. Remember the blogger said it is an "iPhone+more screen"...so I am sure it is still 3.7.

So Google sells carrier unlocked Nexus online etc, and sells almost identical (or identical) Passion through VZW and T-Mob?? That is my guess.

 

So you're saying there is actually two passion/nexus phones, one for Sprint/Verizon and another, identical one for the rest of the world?

 

I'm still hoping Verizon will get the HTC Bravo/Passion(CDMA) Q1 2010. The Bravo is a sexier looking phone than the Nexus One with the same specs. But Verizon better make an announcement before the Nexus One comes to market or I may be one of those who jumps ship.

I've used T-Mobile before. In the Nashville market they are a good carrier with excellent customer support. I'm sure the Nexus One is one of the reasons T-Mobile is pushing their HSDPA rollout.

I want to stay with Verizon, but I've been waiting nearly 3 months for the rumors of the next gen (1Ghz) of Android phones to become reality. I'm ready to shelf my LG Dare and join the Android community. Weather that's with Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T is quickly becoming a mute point. It's your move Verizon, what are you going to do?

 

I am just saying that I believe there will be very little difference between the Bravo/Passion/Nexus. They should be the same specs. Looks like trackball on Bravo, trackpad on Passion/Nexus. Nexus would be Google sold Google Phone, Bravo for Europe, Passion for VZW. That is what I think based on the info we have so far. As long as VZW gets it in January I am good. Thoughts.
The thought of a voip Google phone is interesting and would make sense and then Also a carrier version of the same phone. I just don't see Google NOT getting some version of this phone to Verizon considering there recent alliance.

 

I'm not sure what this so-called "alliance" between Google and Verizon consists of, aside from collaborating together to get droid/eris out on the market.
I certainly don't see Google under any obligation to Verizon to make a special passion/nexus just for their customers.
In fact, the more i think about it, the more i realize it would be stupid for Google to invest in an entirely new device which is essentially identical to Nexus, just for a couple US carriers who are going to dump CDMA in the near future anyway.

 

Your logic is not logical. CDMA is not going away, you wont see entirely LTE devices until 2012-2013 (devices for VZW that DO NOT have CDMA in them) and you still have to support the network after that....CDMA will not be "Dumped" until well after full LTE handsets come out, so we are talking 2014ish? And the Droid was just released, was that a bad move for Motorola do make that phone because VZW is just testing LTE??Harley.
For a few years devices will have both LTE and CDMA in them for VZW.

And if you have not heard of any Alliance between VZW and Google it is because you have not done your research. It happened a few months ago and it was more than the Droid, read the articles and quotes from BOTH CEO's and their commitment to each-other. I am not going to do the research for you, but please do some research before you you think there is no special co-operation, and that goes for your comments about LTE too.
Thanks

 

Except that 4G isn't going nationwide overnight and phones will still need to maintain backward compatibility with the CDMA/EVDO networks for a good 10 more years. Don't forget that Verizon and Sprint are also going different directions for 4G. I think it would be downright dumb for Google to cut out >50% of the mobile market in the US by going GSM only. If they did, their two choices would be the small customer base of T-Mobile and direct competition with the iphone on a much maligned AT&T network that is seemingly crowded already? Not exactly a good formula for increased market share, particularly when the US is currently THE biggest market right now for the popularity of Android.

 

+1
That what I was saying, I think Phydeaux was a little off in his last post. We all have our days. lol

 

By adding 50% of the US market, you cut out 100% of the world market. That's simply poor business.

 

Exactly my point... "I think".

 

Yes, that would make sense if this Nexus 1 worked on European GSM bands. It's been stated that this phone would work on T-Mobile's 3G network in the U.S. and that it would work on AT&T, but only on EDGE which is their 2G network. Google is focused on the U.S. market for now. They haven't even made much of a splash here yet, so I believe they're going to do that before they start trying to operate in other countries. Not to mention, if this phone doesn't even do 3G on AT&T's network in the U.S., what makes you guys think that it will work on the GSM bands overseas? It MAY work over there, but I can't see it being 3G speeds if it won't even be compatible with the U.S. AT&T 3G network.

 

THANK YOU! Couldn't agree more! I was starting to think I was taking crazy pills or somethin'! haha

There IS an alliance between Google and Verizon. It's like how Microsoft partnered with Ford Motors to put Microsoft Sync in their automobiles. Same kinda deal. When Google announced Android, they started looking for mobile networks to partner with. Some of the networks were hesitant and didn't want to play nice and some of them jumped right on board and wanted in. Verizon was one that jumped right in and I believe there HAS TO BE some kind of benefit that comes along with that partnership. If this phone only comes to GSM bands in the U.S., well...that would hurt Verizon. If pretty much the same phone comes to all U.S. carriers both GSM and CDMA, then it doesn't necessarily HURT Verizon, but it sure doesn't help them either. It makes sense to me that Google would want to help a partner of theirs.

So, with that said. I'm going to stick to my theory that the Nexus 1 is going to be this unlocked phone that GSM bands can use, and it's a slick phone, no doubt. But I believe Verizon is going to be getting something with the specs of the Bravo, just an American version of the same phone with Verizon branding and maybe a few cosmetic changes. That way, everyone gets a great phone in the U.S., but Verizon get's some return on it's investment. Plus, the better phone helps them jump some new customer's over to Verizon. I'm not saying THIS IS HOW IT'S GOING TO BE. OK? It's just a theory. Take it or leave it. If someone doesn't agree, that's perfectly fine. We're all entitled to our opinion and I don't claim to know it all.

 

I think that if google does sell this phone themselves, maybe they should just have a cdma version and a gsm version. That would be great. I have sprint right now, i used to be with tmobile and i remember getting the g1. but i wish that google would release a cdma version of the nexus 1 that way it would be compatible with all of the major US carriers. Plus sprint is coming out with their wimax 4g network next year. next year will be exciting. especially if google decides to sell a gsm and a cdma version. though i know that tmobile already has a data only plan for 30 bucks.

 

I think you're seriously confused. Adding a CDMA model to add 50% of the US market in no way precludes the rest of the world from getting the GSM phone. I can only guess you thought I meant "instead of" though I never said or alluded to that.

 

Only if you remove the GSM version. If you made both versions you would only.............................................................................MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY!!!!!!!! and that my friend is "GOOD BUSINESS"!