There are more questions — many more — than answers about the Nexus One smartphone from Google. News about the device broke over the weekend with a vaguely worded blog posting from Google and other bits of information.
Observers think Google will sell the unlocked Nexus One online. HTC is said to be the manufacturer for the phone, which could be available as early as next month.
The first question is simply whether there is a Nexus One, according to Will Stofega, program manager for mobile-device technology for IDC.
“Everything is a bit fuzzy,” he said. “It’s a very interesting way of generating a lot of hype, but I would love to see details. For one thing, does it actually exist? I would
love to hear confirmation from Google.”
Where — and How — Does It Fit?
Creative Strategies’ Tim Bajarin assumes the device is real, but wonders how it will fit in with the rest of the wireless universe.
“The most interesting thing that needs to be answered is how it will work on multiple networks and if it will be truly open,” he said. “The original way most of these handset guys work is they design product specifically for a [carrier]. So, for instance, they design for Verizon a CDMA chipset and focus on the Verizon network. One of the questions of the moment is the idea [the Nexus One] would be open, meaning consumers could go to a vendor and just buy a SIM chip or card and put it in.”
That, clearly, would be the sexiest approach. But there is uncertainty on this vital point.
“There are secondary reports that Google is meeting with … vendors to customize the phones,” Bajarin said. “From a consumer standpoint, a more open device would be preferable, meaning that the user can control what network he…