In a unique move, Google reportedly will market its own mobile phone directly to consumers sometime in 2010, the Wall Street Journal learned over the weekend.
The mobile phone manufactured by HTC, the Nexus One, will use the open source Google Android operating system.
Google plans to sell the phone as an unlocked device, which will allow the search company to control hardware and software on the phone.
The picture of the supposed Google Nexus One phone was released on Twitter by Cory O'Brien, and then distributed to numerous other online media publications.
Unconfirmed rumors indicate the phone could be a big seller for T-Mobile, the No. 4 phone manufacturer in the United States, which has struggled to compete with Verizon Wireless and AT&T. FCC reports say the phone is currently a 3G UMTS Band IV – supported by T-Mobile, which isn't used by AT&T, VZW or Sprint-Nextel -- but it's possible additional versions of the phone are also in development.
If true, some bloggers have noted, Microsoft may finally respond by launching its own phone, though Microsoft declined comment.
If the phone will be sold exclusively online directly to consumers, I'm curious to hear what wireless providers think of the news. Google doesn't hold an obligation to carriers; however, its Google Android platform is one being heavily promoted by Verizon and others, which should continue in 2010.
I like the idea of consumers being able to purchase unlocked phones that can be used across their choice of wireless carriers, and perhaps the Nexus One is a glimpse of things to come.
