Verizon, Sprint snub Nexus One - Is Google phone a failure?

The Nexus One which is Google's overhyped Android phone, is in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Verizon was the first to prick the Nexus One bubble when it announced last month it wouldn’t make the Nexus One available. Earlier this week, the Sprint and Nexus One pairing vaporized. After saying they would carry the device, Sprint severed ties with the Nexus One. Depending on who is talking, Verizon and Sprint snubbing Nexus One is either one of technology’s greatest failures, or a trivial misstep that does not really matter.

Google web store Nexus One

The Nexus One failure is apparently clear. Google wanted to limit availability of the Nexus One exclusively to Google’s web store. As reported on eWeek, Some experts do think the Google web store Nexus One model is clear evidence that carriers aren’t interested in supporting a device that can’t sell in their own retail stores. Others argue the Nexus One was just eclipsed by better Android phones.

Sprint Nexus One

Just a couple of months ago, things were looking for Google's Nexus One sales. PC World reports that in mid-March, Sprint said they would carry a CDMA version of Google’s Nexus One sometime later this year. On Monday, Sprint decided to drop the Nexus One. Sprint has decided to instead support the HTC EVO 4G Android phone. Sprint may have chosen the HTC EVO 4G because it has a larger display than the Nexus One, runs on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network and also features the HTC Sense UI. It probably didn't help that you couldn't use installment loan to purchase a Nexus One from Sprint.

Verizon Nexus One

The Nexus One/Verizon deal has totally flopped thanks to the HTC Incredible Android phone. Both the Incredible and Google Nexus One have the exact same specs. Both phones also run Android 2.1. What is the main difference between the two devices? The Droid Incredible actually runs HTC's revised Sense UI. Informationweek.com reports that the newest version of Sense makes using the Android platform a lot more enjoyable experience.

The Nexus One and also the Android advantage

Everybody likes a winner, and even before the Sprint and Verizon defections, the Nexus One reputation suffered from initial 3G connectivity bugs and low sales figures. PC World said the only advantage Nexus One has over Incredible and EVO is its direct tie to Google’s speedy OS update process. On the HTC Sense UI, a manufacturer version of Android, updates can take numerous months to reach users.

Android thriving without Nexus One

Is Nexus One a failure? Analysts seem to think that Google would be better off without the Nexus One. After being rejected by major carriers, the Nexus One is likely to be done. But its rivals all run on Android, which is just fine with Google. And all the media commotion about smartphone competition, of all things, has raised the profile of Android to the point that Android phones really outsold Apple’s iPhone last month.

Sources for the article

eWeek

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Nexus-One-Not-a-Failure-Despite-Slights-By-Sprint-Verizon-409079/

PC World reports

http://www.pcworld.com/article/196022/why_sprint_and_verizon_nixed_the_nexus_one.html

Informationweek.com

http://www.informationweek.com/newshome/index.jhtml;jsessionid=1U2VTTNH0NJJRQE1GHPCKH4ATMY32JVN