By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla
Great news today for those of us who have been waiting for Google's Nexus One super-smartphone to hit the Canadian border. You can now order a Google Nexus One from Google for US $530.00 that will work on the Rogers Network (Nexus One phone (GSM 3G 850/1900/2100MHz). More info after the break.
Thought to be the ultimate Google Android smartphone, the Nexus One was built by HTC specifically from Google's specs. The device runs on speedy 1GHz Snapdragon processor and features the best screen in the market today,a 3'7 inch 480 by 800 AMOLED display. The Nexus One also has the very latest version of Google's Android OS at 2.1 (which is faster, has better support for Google Maps with Navigation and a better browser). The Nexus One also has two microphones for enhanced clarity, a 5 Megapixel camera and the ability to play back video at 720p.
The Nexus One was released in early January for T-Mobile in the US (and quite possibly Mobilicity and Wind Mobile in Canada). Many were surprised that the Nexus One was made available directly by Google which led many to question their commitment to their many hardware suppliers. The Nexus One had a higher spec and more updated features than any of the existing Android phones made by their other partners.
Google has started selling an unlocked version of the Nexus One that is compatible with AT&T and Rogers Wireless. Selling for US$529.00($556.16 total with DHL International Shipping) and while it clearly states that the unlocked smartphone works with Rogers Wireless, it will likely work with Telus and Bell. Here's Google's announcement.
"Starting today, an additional version of the Nexus One is available from the Google web store that is compatible with AT&T’s 3G network. This new model can be purchased as an unlocked device without a service plan. In addition to AT&T’s 3G network, this device will also run on Rogers Wireless in Canada. And like the first version of the Nexus One, it can be used with most GSM operators globally.
Additionally, Nexus One devices can now be shipped to Canada from Google’s web store, and will work with a SIM from Rogers Wireless."
For Canadian users who have been waiting for the latest and greatest that the Android OS platform has to offer, the availability of the Nexus One is exciting news. OS updates are supposedly handled by Google and not by the carriers which means that there's at least some certainty of getting future versions of the Google OS. One of the biggest drawbacks of Android phones in Canada is that they're stuck with older versions of the OS and are unable to make use of newer features as well as updated applications.
The lack of paid Android apps in Canada is also another issue that's hindered consumers from embracing Google's OS but Google has rectified this by finally offering paid apps in Canada. It will be interesting to see how the Nexus One fares in Canada and if it will do better than it did in the US.