Is Google’s New Superphone an Iphone Killer?
The self-described “superphone” (as opposed to the so 2000′s “smartphone”) by Google (unconfirmed if it’s the official Google phone) has just hit the streets. It’s called the Nexus One. It is an Android phone designed by Google and HTC. So…is it really any good? And more importantly, after 3 years trying, has someone finally come up with something better than the iPhone?
First, a few answers to the basics since this thing was rumored a bit, but sorta just popped up out of nowhere. Early hands-on reviews later in the post.
1) Where can I buy it?
Google’s got a new online store to purchase directly. You can buy it today on T-Mobile for $180 with a 2-year contract. Or you can buy it unlocked, without any service, for $530.
2) T-Mobile? Don’t they suck? What about Verizon?
Yes, T-Mobile sucks if you live anywhere you can’t see an 8 story building on the horizon. Verizon is getting one in a few months, so it’d be worth comparing to the Motorola Droid, their other Android phone, if you’re in the market. They are a bit different.
And you’ll be able to get it to use on AT&T. One minor issue though – it won’t work with their 3G signal, just the EDGE 2G. No biggie, my iPhone hardly works with 3G either most of the time.
Does it have a slide out keyboard like Motorola Droid? Please?!
Nope. And even though it’s all touch screen, it still doesn’t offer multi-touch.
So tell me a little about Android 2.1 WTF is .1 about it?
It’s like the operating system on the Moto Droid on Red Bull (not the sugar-free kind). From Gizmodo.
You have things like five screens for homescreen panels and Live Wallpapers, which are basically backgrounds you can interact with.
A 3D photogallery, which pulls visual tricks like having photos zoom out when you tap an album, and load on a 3D plane when you move the phone around. And, galleries are now background-synced to Picasa.
Voice is the key feature. Every text field is voice enabled, so you basically never have to type anything.
Other than that, the whole 3D framework is faster and fancier..better app launchers, backgrounds, faster games and most importantly — a lag-free performance.
Updated: Why is there a Trackball? Isn’t it touch screen?
When I first wrote this post, I couldn’t find anything on what the purpose of the trackball on this was. I recently found my answer, still doesn’t make a lot of sense.
The trackball is basically useless—you’ll only use it for its color-based notifications that tell you that you have a new email, text message or missed call without having to turn on the screen. As for using it as a scrolling device, the fact that scrolling around the OS or a webpage gives you inconsistent results depending on what “element” of the screen you land on means the ball is essentially useless for navigation. However, you will have to use it for text selection, because you can’t hold your finger down to move the cursor—you have to use the ball to navigate to exactly where you want.
Some specs please.
A very speedy 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (faster than iPhone), with a 3.7-inch, 480×800 AMOLED screen and a super-slim overall design. Slightly thinner and lighter than the iPhone. Not as smooth as the iPhone.
5 megapixel camera with an LED flash—it also shoots MPEG-4 video with one-click YouTube upload. Also has Wireless N Wi-Fi (that’s the faster one).
The trackball’s got a multicolor LED for different notifications, and of course it’s got a compass, GPS, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5mm headphone jack, two mics for “active noise suppression,” light and proximity sensors, and an accelerometer onboard.
The 1400mAH battery promises 5 hours of 3G browsing and 7 hours of 3G talk time.
The Reviews
The Good (check out Gizmodo’s very positive hands-on review)
Check out Engadget’s mostly enthusiastic and overly long review here.
….the Nexus One is astonishingly faster than the Droid. The speed dominance was most evident when we compared the loading of webpages, but even when you’re just scrolling around, launching apps and moving about the OS, you could tell that there’s a beefier brain inside the N1.
….The 5-megapixel camera is nice, and the flash works well enough for a flash on a phone, but it’s not spectacular,
….There’s no multitouch in the browser or in the map, but I think at this point that’s more of a legal consideration than a technical one,
…..If Google’s planning on releasing this phone as their official Google phone, it’ll certify them as the premium Android phone brand out there right now. Even though it doesn’t have a hardware keyboard, it basically beats the hell out of the Droid in every single task that we threw at it.
More? Google and Adobe bringing Flash 10 to the Android. Here’s a demo.
The Bad (see the review over at Fox News hands on).
……Yet despite the hype, the Nexus One is hardly as ground-breaking as the iPhone. Apple’s entry in turned the the cell phone market on its ear, highlighting how intuitive and visually dynamic a cell phone can be. Apple later announced the App Store, transforming the cell phone from a communication device into a do-everything portable computer.
So is it an iPhone killer? Seems like every time this question is asked it’s an almost yes..but never does. Time will tell..but they better hurry because I am thinking this summer’s iPhone may kill whatever that ends up being.
