How Google Goofed in Porting the Nexus One to AT&T

Ok Paul the only time I've done the no pant's thing in public has been in a dream. Either way Google really messed up on the Nexus one, but Android in general is out performing iPhone for now. That is until they release the next version. The Nexus one and it's release was not good, as have been a couple other marketing decisions lately.

Google has basically been a market darling on everything until these things have happened. I am not saying in any way that they have become unsuccessful in there technology march. As far as it goes they are still a baby compared to the other players in the market. Therefore there next steps are going to be important I think.

I think it will be interesting to watch how they fix these things, and what they bring to the market in the next couple of years. As far as it goes everything up until these few recent things has expanded the markets and there impact.

The true measure of a company is how they recover from a mess up though.

Another point and one totally unrelated. On that coverage map my city (Atlanta) is the largest in the US with very fast mobile web. That's interesting to me or anyone who lives around here, but there is no name on the map for Atlanta. I just recognize the map point (Below and to the right of Memphis) because I live here.

Did I read $529 correctly? I can't understand the need to charge such ridiculously high prices. I'd love to get an HTC, but not with a price tag like that one and can't say that I would want T-mobile again, with it's every other call gets dropped rate. The other issue with their sales is that their too late in the game to hold promise, or be much of a competitor since everyone else just got their new phones.

I really think it would be in Google's best interest to work through the carriers and subsidize the Nexus One. Google has truly made a remarkable handset, one that set the bar higher and should be used as the new benchmark for all smartphones going forward. three years ago, paying such high premiums for a smartphone was thought of as acceptable. But in today's world, especially during the economic downturn we are now in, high unsubsidized prices are almost considered unacceptable. Look at the Droid, the most successful selling Android OS device to date, and even the iPhone. Both have subsidies and both sell like hotcakes. Google has a gem with the Nexus One, and to be on top they should approach the carriers to subsidize the handset so they can get this technological marvel into as many hands as possible.

You read that right, the Nexus One runs $529 without service, including the one that's compatible with AT&T's 3G network.

Equally frustrating is for T-Mobile subscribers on a Family plan (such as myself) don't quality for the $179 upgrade pricing - that's only good for new members and/or those on an 'Even More Individual 500' plan. I can only conclude that Google hates families.

-Paul Lilly

Nexus One pricing was one of those recent Google decisions that made me go "huh?". I'm disappointed in the way they executed the phone sales and services for it. It's a great piece of hardware, but shouldn't be touting a $500+ pricetag.

i also tried to grab the Nexus One but got denied since I was already on a T-Mobile family plan. i don't get it...

Most phone's purchased without a contract are expensive but the extra money is worth it if your monthly bill would normally increase a lot with a new contract. I have a friend who has T-mobile with a grandfathered unlimited data plan which costs $5.99 a month, his total bill is like $48 a month with $15 in taxes included for unlimited data, 200 texts, and 600 minutes a month. If he re-did the contract  it would cost him $30 for 600 minutes, $30 for unlimited data, and $6 for 300 texts a month + $15 in taxes or $81 a month or if he goes with T-mobile's unlimited everything plan $50 + $15 in taxes and surcharges, which is $17 more a month than he currently pays.

Personally I'd rather pay more outright for the phone than getting a discount on the hardware but a higher monthly bill.

I think soon that will all go away as our Cellular companies eventually just charge us something like $10-20 a month for the duration of the 2 year contract in order to get the new phone.

I can only applaud the efforts of Google toward separating hardware purchasing from subscription to a telephone carrier. If a carrier wishes to use this phone to lock someone in to a long-term contract, it can always do so by providing a locked, subsidised version, but by making an unlocked version of the telephone available to the general public, Google has gone a long way toward rendering murky industry practices a bit more transparent, to the benefit of consumers....

Henri

"Google has gone a long way toward rendering murky industry practices a bit more transparent, to the benefit of consumers...."

Separating hardware purchasing from subscription to a telephone carrier is one thing, and a good thing too. But the price we have to pay for the separation is a little frightening at best. I just don't see that it costs that much to make this phone. So I will hesitate getting one until I see it as a good value. Remember that Google stands to make allot of money off of this phone by virtue of delivered advertising over the viable life of the phone. It's their main income stream and you having the phone opens you up to receiving more advertising experiences daily. That could be worth far more than the income from the obviously inflated price of the phone and the 2 year contract term.

My Motorola Razor Phone is well into it's fourth year now.

I Am Still waiting for the all inclusive phone, that will be free with a two year contract and only cost me 50dollars per month? :)

Hopefully it will also be a universal remote for the HT, and have an infinicel battery so we don't have to charge it! For now I still use my phone just for a phone. I guess I have just grown tired of constantly having to upgrade something outdated that was the newest and most advanced just two months ago?

I agree with Realniel, My cellphone is around 3yrs old and since I just make calls and texts, it works just fine.