The Nexus One cometh - Google phone announced today

[il d00d]

www.google.com/phone

Sadly, there were no surprises.   People hoping for ad-supported cheap phone, google voice integration, or VoIP calls only/primarily are sure to be disappointed.  Still, a lot of positive feedback on the hardware itself.

In response to the announcement, Steve Jobs of Apple was all like, whatev LOL.  In actuality he was all, like "We see no signs of the competition catching up anytime soon"  (LOL implied)  Although this new phone looks cool, I suspect he's right.  All other phones are incrementally getting closer to the iPhone coolness line as they approach infinity.

All in all, it was a bit of a missed opportunity on Google's fault in my opinion, but it is good news for people that want an alternative to an iPhone.

[Porsche Monkey]

I've got the Google My Touch. It kicks arse. All that fancy voice integration shtuff, Google maps, turn by turn nav with this hawt chick that tells you where to go, free apps galore including kick ass gps stuff and even a metal detector.

[erkishhorde]

Still don't entirely understand spending more than $50 on a phone. It's cool having internet almost anywhere you go but still, there's other things I'd rather buy with that much money.

[Kopfjäger]

I have an HTC phone now. I'm in as soon as this one comes out.

[Mad Duc]

I will name mine Roy.


I really would like to get one but I am on AT&T and don't want to pay the early termination fee and the unlocked version doesn't work on ATT.  Not a big deal to me, I can wait for version 2 of this when my contract is up in a year or so.

[mitt]

I asked this on another forum, but never got an answer.

What would prevent someone from buying the $500 unlocked version, getting a "data only" no contract plan from T-mobile, then using VOIP to make your calls?


mitt

[derby]

I asked this on another forum, but never got an answer.

What would prevent someone from buying the $500 unlocked version, getting a "data only" no contract plan from T-mobile, then using VOIP to make your calls?


mitt

nothing except possibly:

1) t-mobile not selling you a data-only plan

2) no voip app.

and, if you addressed those two issues:

3) voip quality on the data network.

let us know how it works out. 

[mitt]

nothing except possibly:

1) t-mobile not selling you a data-only plan

2) no voip app.

and, if you addressed those two issues:

3) voip quality on the data network.

let us know how it works out. 

1) I have a friend who has a data only plan with them, but it is a special circumstance.

2) SIP Droid, and skype?  If it isn't here now, it will be in the next year.

3)

http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2009/08/android-and-voip-applications.html


mitt

[derby]

i did say "possibly...."



(i haven't bothered researching apps for the platform since my work is, and likely will be for quite some time, a blackberry shop)

[mitt]

I understand that a wireless carrier would not give you a data only plan with a subsidized (locked) phone & 2 year contract - they need there $80/mo to pay for your hardware.  But, why would they turn down a customer for $40-$50/mo for data only with an unsubsidized (unlocked) phone that is already paid for?

My friend who has data only w/ Tmobile is deaf - that is how he got it with his 2 year contract, not sure how it would work for a hearing person.

mitt

[il d00d]

I think it's possible to do that with some phone, and some carrier, just not these yet. 

SIPDroid is out there now, and I am sure Skype is cooking up something.  Google doesn't have the same leverage over their app users that Apple does - Google can reject apps from Android Market, but they will show up elsewhere.  I am sure it is just a matter of time before we see all kinds of SIP clients and services for Android.

The second part the SIP problem is getting a provider to hand off IP SIP calls to the PSTN - it looks like you would would have to subscribe to some service to the tune of 10 bucks a month or more with SIPDroid.  Skype would be a bit easier -I think they bill per minute- and probably more reliable.

3G only SIMs are out there, I am not sure how easily you can get them - we buy them from AT&T to put into 3G cards for routers.  You can get service from verizon, but the CDMA Nexus One is not out yet.

So, nothing would prevent you from doing that, excepting having to figure out how to get the phone you want to run a SIP client you can find, and a service that can hand off calls to the PSTN.  Carriers are not exactly encouraging this, and software options are limited - there is no direct line of sight here.

For now, I think you would be better off using Tmobile's VoIP service.  You could get the Tmobile 60/mo 500 min unlimited data plan, buy the Nexus one, and make it a point to be close to a wireless connection when you make calls.  When Skype releases something -or if you want to try SIPDroid- you can switch to VoIP/3g when you are out of range - that's about the easiest way to do VoIP full time that I can think of.

[herm]

google voice

[JEFF_H]

must-see promo video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7SzB58qHI0&feature=player_embedded#
(language nsfw)

[CapnCrunch]

some peeps get the ipod touch, crack it, get google voice or skype on it, and talk over wifi

[mookieo2]

That FU video is great.

I`m loving my Droid.