Google Nexus One

Editor's Review of the Nexus One

Tagged by Google as its first Super Phone, the Google Nexus One has the full dimensions of 119 x 59.8 x 11.5 millimetres. Inclusive of its battery, this handset weighs a total of 130 grams. Dominating the front part of this handset is a WVGA touch screen measuring 93.98 millimetres. This touch-sensitive wide screen comes with AMOLED technology that allows viewing of Web pages at maximum clarity. This WVGA screen displays photos, images and other graphics over a screen resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. It has a keypad that includes a track ball for navigation controls. It also has a proximity sensor for automatic turn-off. This mobile phone also has pre-installed MP3 ringtone selections.

Notably, this mobile phone flaunts language support. Its user interface may come in English, French, German, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese and Russian versions. Its keyboard also comes in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese languages.

This runs on Android Mobile Platform 2.1. It is internally powered by 1 GHz Qualcomm QSD 8250, which is tagged as the speediest mobile processor. It is quad band and supports GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, and GSM 1900 networks, making it a frequent traveler's ideal companion for roaming purposes. This handset's network reach, however, may depend highly on its user's service provider.

This handset comes with an HTML browser that enables users to access the World Wide Web. It has Wi-Fi technology that allows on-the-go users to go online in applicable hotspots. This mobile phone also offers the microUSB connectivity feature, which supports transfer of files from or to compatible devices including laptops, scanners, personal computers, printers and other handsets. For hassle-free connectivity, users may opt for the Bluetooth v.2.1 with A2DP technology, which supports data sharing between compatible devices that are up to 10 metres apart. Powered by GPRS and EDGE technologies, the Google Nexus One boasts of speedier Internet downloading and file sharing rates. As it is 3G HSDPA supported, this mobile phone is reliable at multi-tasking.

This mobile phone allows users to keep in touch with their contacts through SMS or text, and MMS or multimedia messaging services. Its Internet connectivity also allows users to access their e-mail accounts and check their e-mail messages. This handset also supports chat service through instant messaging.

A-GPS technology is embedded in this mobile phone to serve as a direction guide for users. This handset also comes with a digital compass, an accelerometer, phone book, vibration alert, call log option and built-in speaker phone for ease in taking and making calls.

The Google Nexus One takes mobile entertainment to the next level with its 5-Megapixel camera, complete with LED flash, auto focus, 2X digital zoom and smile detection features to boost photo output quality. This handset also supports viewing of photos and images in JPEG GIF, PNG and BMP formats. This mobile phone also doubles as a video recorder. It records footages at a 720x480 video resolution and at a speed of 20 frames per second or higher, depending on lighting conditions. Users may also view their videos in H.263, MPEG-4 SP and H.264 AVC formats right on this handset's touch screen.

Music lovers will find this mobile phone a handy music player that supports MP3, eAAC+ and WAV formats. Mobile gaming is also supported by the Google Nexus One, as it comes with pre-installed games in Java format. This handset also enables users to download games from the Internet.

This mobile phone has 512 Megabytes of Random Access Memory. Its storage capacity of 4 Gigabytes may be expanded to up 32 Gigabytes through a microSD memory card. Its removable 1400 mAH battery offers talk time of up to 10 hours. When fully charged, it can last up to 290 hours in standby time.

Displeased owners of this handset found its battery life to last woefully briefer than it promises. On the other hand, satisfied users of the Google Nexus One opine that this handset solidly beats the Apple iPhone in terms of usability and design. Users appreciate this handset's illuminated, well-spaced, soft buttons, as well as its brilliant looking display screen. In addition, the touch screen is reportedly responsive and functional.