Google on Tuesday introduced at the company headquarters in Mountain View, California, the first manufactured in-house phone with the name Nexus One. The big surprise was from here: As of December repeats certain information on the Android smartphones for sale in the relevant media turned up, probably not without the assistance of the search engine giant itself is true for many features of the 130 gram Nexus One, which, like the first Google G1 phone from Taiwanese manufacturer HTC is.
The new "Super Phone" from Google.
Image: For the first time Google has one of its HTC smartphone with AMOLED display - equipped, the vibrant colors and high contrast, promises in the sunlight but not likely to still be readable - previously the domain of Samsung. The 3.7-inch capacitive touch screen offers a resolution of 480 × 800 pixels, for a lot of computing power makes the Snapdragon chipset from Qualcomm, a processor core with 1 GHz is clocked and a high-performance multimedia signal processor and 512 MB RAM and 512 MB Flash memory is supported. Via a microSDHC slot can expand memory to a maximum of 32 GB, a 4-gigabyte media wants marched with Google.
There is also a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus lens and LED photo light, WLAN, Bluetooth 2.1 with stereo audio profile, an AGPS receiver for positioning and a compass. As a quad-band GSM device it transmits in almost all GSM networks worldwide and - with some U.S. networks such as AT & T, because the 1900 MHz frequency band is missing - in most UMTS networks, in Europe there should be no problems with The UMTS connection type. Provide fast data transfer in GSM networks EDGE and UMTS HSPA with receive rates up to 7.2 and transmission rates up to 2 Mbit / s gross. A particularly good voice quality is to deliver the integrated suppression of ambient noise, which receives the second with a microphone and hides.
The Nexus One, the latest Android version is 2.1 for use, which brings already the Motorola Milestone known features like Google Maps navigation and voice-activated search, but also attracts with enhanced multimedia capabilities, five start screens including summary screen and animated wallpapers. Google also wants to provide additional applications like Google Earth. Multi-touch to zoom in on maps and websites knows the Nexus One, however.
It is interesting that for a top class unit price fairly low: Google calls for the Nexus One sold about 530 U.S. dollars without a contract and network limitations, the first smartphone for sale, but only in the U.S., Britain, Singapore and Hong Kong. T-Mobile USA offers a contract at a price of around 180 dollars, other operators such as Vodafone in Europe and Verizon in the U.S. will follow in the spring. If and when the phone will be available in Germany, told not Google.
Whether the manufactured by HTC Android smartphone can play out the speed advantage of the 1-GHz chips in everyday use and it will still have to demonstrate. But even if the gadget shows disappointed some fans, that Google did not invent the wheel, should take notice of the competition. The search engine company introduces itself with a rock solid top class device as a new challenger in the high-margin segment.
Where a challenger, it is also a champion. In the smartphone the league is now even Apple with the iPhone and shows the industry for almost three years, as it goes. The clear signal from Cupertino can not be followed by all mobile operators - because of unwillingness or inability. That leaves room for ambitious newcomers. If the start then with a thick wallet and the necessary know-how, should be expected with them. This is especially true for large ships Nokia and Microsoft, which has not cope with the new mobility as well.
Google brings both, and thus has the best chance of the attributes already ubiquitous brand now also to establish sustainable in the mobile sector. With the emerging Android operating system, the Group is there all right, albeit indirectly represented. A manufactured in-house phone that uses the capabilities of the operating system Android optimally and without ties to a network operator is available allowing Google a confident look on new terrain. One of the Nexus, the group's motto "Web Meets Phone", and thus, the new category "Super Phone".
Is behind the attempt, the dominance in online search and advertising, Google in the past decade has made large, extended to the mobile arena. Nearly ten years after the billion-dollar auction of the UMTS frequencies already heralded the era of the mobile Internet, the promises of then are finally becoming a reality. Mobile Internet use is becoming increasingly popular and is also old hands with new challenges.
Google has for the transition into the mobile age, several irons in the fire, is working on all ends. The Group will apply specialized services provider and is expanding its own network-based offerings consistently. In addition, Google is trying to shape the mobile industry of tomorrow about his commitment to the operating systems OS Android and Chrome, but also with active lobbying in Washington and Brussels. With the Nexus One and a previously announced Chrome-based netbook does the search engine giant now also provide the right unit shaft itself. It will not stay there: The Nexus One, Google promised on Tuesday was only the first of a "series of devices."
