Death of the Nexus 1

[navychop]

Looks like Google will not only no longer sell directly, but it will no longer be sold by others, per this article.

"With the eyes of the technology world squarely on Apple's iPhone 4, Google quietly announced it will stop selling the Nexus One, its first and possibly only foray into the smartphone world."

"....the next shipment of the phones will be the last."

But the last comment seems to reinforce that writing for one Android is not writing for all:

"Google's blog post said that it will continue to make the Nexus One available to Android developers so they have something to use while writing apps for the mobile platform."

First Android to be discontinued?

 

[JAG72]

The Nexus 1 was doomed to start with IMO. They marketed it completely wrong and did not have a good support structure backing it.

 

[diogen]

The Nexus 1 was doomed to start with...

But what a nice phone...

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

Which wasn't what I was expecting from Google. Let's see if they learn from this.

BTW, how much future app development can they expect, for a 135,000 base? Sure, that'll still grow a bit- but how long will it be worth it to devs to port a Nexus 1 version?

 

[JAG72]

I bet they will stop at Froyo (2.2) for the OS.

 

[harshness]

The Nexus One was seen as a proof of concept long before it was released. It isn't surprising that it is being closed out.

The key to collector value is to get one that has the fancy artwork on the case as those were the pre-release models.

 

[diogen]

I believe it was an attempt to bring European style relationship between carriers and smartphone manufacturers, i.e. no lock-in.
But what works in the world run by GSM doesn't work with different competing systems.

I think this was more of a "backup" plan anyway, in case Apple+ATT duopoly continues.
And this was the reason they (Google) didn't market this too much.

Today Android is a potent competitor. No need to venture into the handset business and risk to alienate partners...

Bottom line: Google needed a platform to showcase Android and accelerate development. N1 did this for them.
This goal has been achieved. No real need to keep something around that doesn't make them money.

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

Makes sense.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Looks like I got one of the last ones. I don't think this means the real "Death" of the phone. Google developed this phone to be very customizable, and considering how powerful the phone is (relatively speaking) it can easily last through the rest of the year, and I see no reason why Cupcake couldn't run on this. In addition, all the custom roms available will help extend of the life of the phone. I plan on throwing some custom roms on my phone once the warranty gets close to expiring.

 

[JAG72]

Cupcake is Android 1.5, and the nexus 1 was released above this version. You must be referring to froyo or gingerbread.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Looks like Google will not only no longer sell directly, but it will no longer be sold by others, per this article.

First Android to be discontinued?

Not the first. Droid Eris is no longer being sold, even Motorola Droid is slated for end of life. Its natural.

BUT the end of the Nexus, while not unexpected given the sales, is still disappointing. I wish Google had marketed it on Verizon rather than T-Mobile.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Cupcake is Android 1.5, and the nexus 1 was released above this version. You must be referring to froyo or gingerbread.

Whatever... I hate how they name their versions with desserts. I always thought they should do it by He-Man characters.

 

[diogen]

I bet they will stop at Froyo (2.2) for the OS.

The rumor had Google set the minimum req for a handset to run Gingerbread and Nexus One meeting them
Android 3.0 Gingerbread getting revamped UI, Froyo living on for lower-end phones? -- Engadget

But those rumors were discounted later...
Android team's Morrill discounts Gingerbread rumors -- Engadget

I think (and obviously am an interested party) N1 will run the next version.

Diogen.

 

[JAG72]

I really hope the Nexus 1 gets gingerbread for the few here that have them. I now that I am very happy that I now have a phone that meets the requirements for gingerbread. I know it is not a sure thing to get it but it sure helps.

 

[yourbeliefs]

The rumor had Google set the minimum req for a handset to run Gingerbread and Nexus One meeting them
Android 3.0 Gingerbread getting revamped UI, Froyo living on for lower-end phones? -- Engadget

But those rumors were discounted later...
Android team's Morrill discounts Gingerbread rumors -- Engadget

I think (and obviously am an interested party) N1 will run the next version.

Diogen.

They said that they would still provide N1's to developers, and it wouldn't make much sense for them to do that if it couldn't run their upcoming major OS. Let's not forget that the N1, despite all it's quirks, is still a powerful phone and is (IMO) still the best GSM-based Android device available, and looks to stay that way for a while unless the Galaxy phones amaze, or if you want to carry around a compressed brick with the Dell Streak..

Looks like my phone has officially become a collector's item. The N1 is no longer available from Google's store.

 

[diogen]

...if you want to carry around a compressed brick with the Dell Streak.

Actually, I wouldn't mind at all.
Since it is on sale in Europe already, I've seen more than one review claiming its "unappetizing" size is way overblown.
And since I use my N1 ten times more often for purposes other than as a phone, I'm really eager to try the Streak.

Alas, it is not sold in Canada yet.

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

Size isn't that big a deal with me. Personally, I'd have preferred Apple made the iPhone bigger and put a larger battery in.

 

[yourbeliefs]

Actually, I wouldn't mind at all.
Since it is on sale in Europe already, I've seen more than one review claiming its "unappetizing" size is way overblown.
And since I use my N1 ten times more often for purposes other than as a phone, I'm really eager to try the Streak.

Alas, it is not sold in Canada yet.

Diogen.

I'm all for bigger screens, but I think there can be something said for TOO big. All I know is that I saw some pictures of it and it just felt like "too much." I think the EVO and Droid X have the perfect screen size. I use my N1 at the gym to watch videos while I work out, and often I do yearn for that bigger EVO screen with the kickstand.

 

[JAG72]

I'm all for bigger screens, but I think there can be something said for TOO big. All I know is that I saw some pictures of it and it just felt like "too much." I think the EVO and Droid X have the perfect screen size. I use my N1 at the gym to watch videos while I work out, and often I do yearn for that bigger EVO screen with the kickstand.

I agree that the Droid X and EVO have the perfect screen size. Any larger would start to become to large to carry around on a daily basis.

 

[diogen]

I am using the diNovo for over a year and it might get other uses as well
Dell Streak makes friends with Logitech diNovo Mini (in more ways than one) -- Engadget

Diogen.