Google Nexus One Phone Could Break Exclusivity Barriers

13.12.2009
Rumors have been circulating for a while now that is developing its own -based handset. The that the rumors are confirmed and that Google employees are currently using a prototype of the Google device, which will be dubbed the Nexus One.

The Nexus One hardware is allegedly from HTC -- from the same mold as the HTC Passion. Based on , the Nexus One runs on the blazing fast Snapdragon processor, has a super high-resolution OLED touchscreen, and will be thinner than an iPhone.

Google is expected to market the Nexus One directly rather through any wireless carrier partnership. It is expected to be an unlocked GSM-based device which will be available in early 2010 -- possibly as early as January. If it is, in fact, GSM-based, that means it will work on either the or AT&T networks.

The number of Android-based handsets has exploded this past year. T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon each offer mobile devices built on Android. The most notable of these have been the recent release of the with T-Mobile, and the massive unveiling of the .

Google competing directly against Android-based devices from third-party manufacturers could ruffle some feathers. HTC, the company rumored to be producing the actual Nexus One hardware, has a variety of its own , and the Nexus One would compete head-to-head with them.

Vendors like Motorola and Samsung, which have embraced the Android platform, may revolt -- or at least shop for a new mobile operating system alternative rather than competing with Google. If the Nexus One is built on Android 2.1 as rumors have suggested, there could also be charges of unfair competition and predatory practices since the current version .