Google has announced its much hyped ‘superphone,’ called Nexus One in the first week of January. The mobile handset is powered by its own Android 2.1 operating system and is said to be the powerful device that will compete with Apple’s iPhone 3G S.

The Google Nexus One is available directly from Google with a price tag of $529 (unlocked). Also, consumers can buy the device from T-Mobile at $179 with a two-year contract. Google added that the device will also be available through Verizon Wireless in the US and Vodafone in the UK in due course.

Nexus One to affect sales of other Android based mobile phones

Meanwhile, it is suggested that the new device from Google will hold the sales of other Android based smartphones and therefore, various mobile vendors like Sony Ericsson, Motorola, etc would prefer other mobile platform for their new devices. This will create an enigma for the search giant to use its platform on its own devices against already existing Android based phones.

Nexus One’s networking problem

Nexus One, which runs on Android OS and HTC's hardware was built to work at 3G speeds in the US on the AWS 1700/2100 MHz frequency band. In contrast, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint all use the 1900 MHz band for their 3G networks, hence the Google phone is incompatible with this band. But, AT&T and the Google phone share a 2G frequency -- 850 MHz via GSM, which allows voice calls but quashes its data transfer feature.

According to a leading analytics firm, the Google sold only 20,000 units of Nexus One in its first week of sales. It is pretty disappointing number compared to Apple’s iPhone first week sales numbers. Further, the device is facing number of complaints about its 3G connectivity.

The Nexus One has already received and the news isn’t good for Google right not. Things will certainly get better for Android, but the Nexus One had so many expectations based on the amazing specs of the phone.

Other missing features in the Nexus One

No VoIP: It was reported that the search giant will introduce VoIP-only plan with its device and will be a game changer to other vendors. It will provide free calls to its consumers in the country. But, the rumor turned out to be false and the device is the same as other handsets, while making calls.

Android 2.1 OS: It is reported that the company will also introduce new Android software besides Nexus One. But, the company launched the device with same Android 2.1 OS in the superphone, which was already appeared in Motorola Droid.

Multitouch missing: Playing 3D games or pinching to zoom in Google Maps (like in iPhone) are missing in the Nexus One. The Nexus One’s hardware is able to handle input from more than one finger at a time, but the software does not support it.

Music Player App is not upto the mark: People have complained about the app and said that the Android based music player has never upto the quality compared with iPhone.

Third-party applications: Apple has about 100,000 third-party applications in its App Store for the iPhone and iPod Touch, whereas Google Nexus One and other Android platform offer about 18,000 apps only.

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