Google reportedly plans to begin selling a branded Android smartphone directly to consumers as soon as early 2010 as it continues to broaden its web services portfolio beyond the desktop. Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reports the device–dubbed the Nexus One–boasts software designed by Google itself, from applications to the user interface of each individual screen; HTC is said to be manufacturing the device hardware. Google will initially sell the Nexus One itself online, although the company may seek operator partnerships in the future. The move is reportedly designed to offer Google the latitude to distribute its own voice and data services without adhering to typical carrier restrictions.
Google confirmed Saturday that it is trialing a new mobile product: “We recently came up with the concept of a mobile lab, which is a device that combines innovative hardware from a partner with software that runs on Android to experiment with new mobile features and capabilities, and we shared this device with Google employees across the globe,” writes Google product management vice president Mario Queiroz on the Official Google Mobile Blog. “This means they get to test out a new technology and help improve it.”
Queiroz adds that Google cannot share specific product details, but employees are tweeting about the Nexus One and showing it off to friends. TechCrunch notes that one program manager posted on Twitter “…we all got the new Google phone. It’s beautiful,” while other Twitter users report seeing the handset up-close, adding the smartphone runs on Android 2.1 and does not feature a physical keyboard. “A sexy beast,” Twitter user GreatWhiteSnark writes. “Like an iPhone on beautifying steroids.”
In the past Google consistently denied speculation it would introduce a branded Android handset, but the buzz has grown louder in recent weeks–in mid-November, TechCrunch reported the web services giant plans to release its own Android smartphone in early 2010, followed weeks later by a Gizmodo report stating prototype devices were on the way to Google’s Mountain View, Calif. Campus, all running a new version of the Android OS.
