So far it seems the Google phone announcement is mostly bloggers looking for page views… Om Malik has been around but come on… this is a bit of a story looking for a story.
What’s in the cards then? The Nexus is a variant of the HTC Bravo set for US release with T-Mobile in January. The Passion variant will be on Verizon in April.
Nexus also happens to be Sony Ericsson’s name for their Android skin so I doubt this product name will stick.
A few issues with Google branded phones:
- Google needs to set up a post-sales support organization. Both to take service calls and to deal with product returns/refurbishment.
- Google needs to be involved in FCC certification and with carrier certification. This is non-trivial.
- Google’s margins will take a hit
- Competition with your licensees will be loads of fun: see Plays for Sure vs. Zune.
- If they choose direct retail distribution, they better get used to holding inventory. Everyone who has tried that in the US got their ass handed to them.
Good luck with all that. My bet is that they are not idiots and this device is exactly what they claim it is: dogfood. Goog did a similar thing with the G1 last year.
