GOOGLE PHONE (Nexus One)

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Posted on : 6:44 AM

The Nexus One is a smartphone from Google, Inc. that runs the Android open source mobile operating system. The device is manufactured by HTC Corporation and became available on January 5, 2010.

Features of the phone include the ability to transcribe voice to text, a native Gmail application, and voice directions while driving.
The phone comes unlocked and is currently offered for use with the T-Mobile mobile phone network in the United States; a version for the Verizon (US) and Vodafone (European) networks is expected in the second calendar quarter of 2010. It can be used on any GSM network worldwide, although 3G speeds will only function on certain networks.
Prices and contract
T he Nexus One was released on January 5, 2010. The phone is sold via Google's website, at a price of $529 unlocked, or a subsidized $179 when purchased with a T-Mobile two year contract. Only one plan is available - $79.99 per month rate, which includes 500 talk minutes with unlimited nights and weekends, unlimited texting/MMS, and web data. The $179 T-Mobile price is only for individuals who are not currently under contract with T-Mobile. If one currently has a T-Mobile contract without a data package, the price of the phone rises to $279.99. If the contract has both the voice and data package, the price of the phone again jumps to a higher price bracket, which is $379.99. By spring 2010, a Verizon version will be available in the US and a Vodafone model in Europe, with plans to expand the phone to other carriers and international markets in due course. Google is making the phone available for delivery to the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong, although native carrier tie-ups have not been finalized for these countries, and the phone will be shipped from the US. Customers ordering from the UK are charged $20 international shipping and an optional $19.99 for an AC adaptor, with an additional 17.5% VAT and 6.5% import duty being added. Singapore applies 7% GST, while Hong Kong does not add any additional taxes.
Software:
The Nexus One runs the Google Android 2.1 operating system, codenamed 'Eclair'.
The 2.1 firmware version of the Android operating system adds a few aesthetic changes such as "Live Wallpapers" which are animated in the background and react to different user inputs. It also replaces the "Application Drawer" with a simple button which can be pressed to access the list of applications installed on the phone. This thumbnail list can be scrolled up and down and as it's scrolled, the applications roll up into a 3D cube instead of disappearing from the screen. Once the bottom of the application thumbnail list is hit, the screen bounces off similar to the iPhone functionality.
Pinch-zooming is still not available on the 2.1 firmware of Android. However, double-tapping will zoom in. Additionally, the "Gallery" application allows the use of finger swiping to switch pictures rather than before where you had to press a "Right" or "Left" arrow key.


Source: wikipedia