Google Unveils the Nexus One

Internet giant Google unveiled the Nexus One, a smart phone that it bills as the connection between the phone and the Web, at a news conference Tuesday at its Mountain View headquarters. Google is billing the Nexus One as the first “super” phone in an effort to position the device as a cut above the iPhone and other smart phones such as Research In Motion Ltd.'s more utilitarian BlackBerry.

Erick Tseng, senior product manager, showed off some of the phone's new features.

• The phone weighs 130 grams, about as light as a Swiss army knife, and has a 3.7-inch display that has deep contrasts. The phone uses a Qualcomm processor.
• The device includes first ever voice-to-text technology for messaging, filling in forms, and such.
• It has a track ball at the bottom of the device. If you get an e-mail or new text message, the track ball changes color, flashing blue for Bluetooth, for example. It has a compass, GPS and a light sensor. The light sensor helps consumers save power by adjusting to indoor and outdoor light.
• The camera with an LED flash has a one-click upload to YouTube. The phone also has active noise cancellation that gets rid of background noise. There is room on the back of the device to custom engrave with your choice of personal text.
• The phone also has consumer-friendly software such as Google Maps, Facebook integration and quick contacts.
• Consumers will also be able to create a dynamic wallpaper where if a user taps on the water of a pond, it will create ripples.

He said Google expects a lot more applications in the company's application market as the phone is rolled out.

Consumers can buy the phone through a new Google Web store. A spokesman said the store will offer a phone with or without service from T-Mobile. Google expects to add more devices and countries. Verizon Wireless in the U.S. and Vodafone in Europe will eventually carry the phone, he said.

With service, the phone's cost will be comparable to other phones, the spokesman said. The Web address for the store is www.google.com/phone. The store offers a 3-D tour.

The phone “unlocked” costs $529. With a T-Mobile service contract, the phone starts at $179.