CNET Buzz Report: How to get a $149 HP TouchPad

via Molly Woods of CNET.com

The HP TouchPad is back from the dead (again) with a hot new price ... and a catch. Plus, Facebook is crawling with children, and the Internet is changing the world (again).

A flop with consumers, sold-out Nexus One scores with developers

A flop with consumers, sold-out Nexus One scores with developers - Yahoo! News

"Google tried — and ultimately failed — to turn the U.S. wireless market upside-down by selling its supercharged Nexus One Android phone online, with minimal help from the big carriers. But now, months after shuttering its online storefront for the phone, the Nexus One is a sudden, improbable hit.

Who’s buying the Nexus One, you ask? Android developers, that’s who — and apparently, they’re so eager to get their mitts on the eight-month-old handset that Google supply of Nexus One phones for developers is completely sold out.

So says a post on Google’s Android developers blog (via TechCrunch), with Google’s Tim Bray writing that Google 'blew through the (substantial) initial inventory in almost no time,' adding that Nexus One manufacturer HTC is busy trying to crank out more of the suddenly gotta-have handsets.

Google launched the Nexus One — described in hushed tones as the 'Google Phone' in the days and weeks before its official unveiling — way back in January, and the search behemoth caused quite a stir by offering the Android 2.1-powered handset only on the Web, through Google’s own Nexus One online storefront.

Why all the fuss? Because usually it’s the big carriers (think AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless) who do the heavy lifting in terms of marketing and selling cell phones, both online and (mainly) in brick-and-mortar stores. While it got a little help from T-Mobile, which subsidized the Nexus One for use on its network, Google’s decision to go it virtually alone with the Nexus One — with practically no marketing help from a carrier—was seen as a potentially game-changing move.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be anything but. Sales of the Nexus One never took off, and an unprepared Google — which, before the Nexus One launch, had little need for a bank of customer-service reps — found itself quickly overwhelmed by customers complaining about iffy 3G reception (which ultimately led to a patch) and other assorted glitches.

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Nexus One Is Out at Verizon, But 'Cousin' Will Be Offered

Nexus One Is Out at Verizon, But 'Cousin' Will Be Offered - Yahoo! News: "If you were hoping to get fixed up with Google's Nexus One on the Verizon Wireless network this week, you're in for some disappointment. But Google, which markets and sells the HTC-made Nexus One, wants you to get its 'cousin.'

That's Incredible

The Nexus One blog linked to Google's online phone store broke the news Monday that Verizon isn't in the picture. Instead, it said fans of both the Android mobile operating system and the nation's largest mobile network can 'pre-order the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful new Android phone and a cousin of the Nexus One that is similarly feature-packed.'

The Incredible hits Verizon stores on Thursday. It will sell for $199 with a two-year contract.

Both the Incredible and the Nexus One are equipped with a one-gigahertz Snapdragon processor, run Android 2.1, and have a 3.7-inch touchscreen, but the Incredible ships with 8GB of memory compared to Nexus One's 4GB and has an eight-megapixel camera compared to Nexus One's five megapixels. Some early previews say the Incredible also offers a better multi-touch experience.

Google touted the HDMA-compatible version of the Nexus One when it unveiled the smartphone to great fanfare in January.

In a statement, Google said, 'We won't be selling a Nexus One with Verizon, and this is a reflection of the amazing innovation happening across the open Android ecosystem.'"

Are smartphones worth it?

Courtesy of MSNBC.com

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Nexus One Hands On Review

By Josh Spear, Trendspotting

"By now you’re probably inundated by news of the Nexus One, an HTC built phone that many dubbed the Google Phone. The Mountain View company stayed true to their word and while they did not manufacture the phone, it is clear they had a heavy hand in its design. The phone is the only one current running the latest and greatest (2.1) Android build and boasts an impressive hardware suite: 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, 11.5mm thick, 5MP camera with LED flash, 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED display, 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 4GB microSD in-box expandable to 32GB.

Many people were looking at this phone as being a game changer, an iPhone destroyer, even after they looked at the specs and saw the leaked videos and images. In the past 10 or so years there have only been two really important phones – the Motorola RAZR and the iPhone became king (2007). I feel like Google never set out to destroy the iPhone overnight. After all, in order to do so, a phone would have to be as revolutionary as the iPhone was three years ago. Clearly this is not the case. With the Nexus One, Google is trying to disrupt the market by giving users more options."

HTC Legend: Frankly, it feels expensive

By Wireless- msnbc.com

"With HTC's upcoming crop of Androids, you'll be able to separate people into two distinct groups: those who spring for the brainier, better-specced Desire, and those who get bowled over by the beautiful, yet lesser-specced Legend.

The Desire (or Nexus One) is the final word in the Androidsphere — it's a mark of someone who knows what they're doing, who wants to show people they NEED that extra computing power. If you compare it to the Legend, you could be justified in saying Legend-salivators are more shallow, ignoring the might of a Snapdragon processor in lieu of a unibody aluminum shell and slim build.

You'd be wrong, however."

Apple Sues HTC For Stealing iPhone Technology

READ Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance: "Apple today filed a lawsuit against mobile devices maker HTC. The suit claims infringement of 20 patents related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture, and hardware.

In the release, Steve Jobs says, 'We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it...We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.'

Taiwan-based HTC was the first company to manufacture a cell phone based on Google's Android operating system, which has emerged as a significant competitor to the iPhone, AP reports. It's also making the Nexus One phone that Google is selling directly to consumers.

It looks like the Nexus One, and other HTC phones, may have hit too close to home for Steve Jobs.

Earlier, we supposed that Apple's multi-touch user interface could be the basis for the lawsuit. But after examining the complaint, it appears that Apple is NOT suing over multitouch, but rather a bunch of other software. (When Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, he touted its multitouch screen, then said, 'And boy, have we patented it.')

Meanwhile, Apple is already tied up in a patent lawsuit with Nokia, claiming Nokia is stealing Apple technology. Nokia says Apple is stealing its technology. Kodak is also suing Apple claiming technology theft.

Basically, Apple's patent lawyers are going to be busy for the next year or so."

Nexus One vs. iPhone Matchup!

Courtesy of GadgetVideoReviews

Nexus One Price Drops for Some T-Mobile Upgrades

Nexus One Price Drops for Some T-Mobile Upgrades - PC World: "Google and T-Mobile have changed the Nexus One pricing policy, slashing $100 off the price of the handset for certain existing customers, T-Mobile has confirmed. Eligible upgraders should now be able to get the Nexus One for $279 instead of $379, and Google will give refunds to those who paid the old price.

Complaints about the high upgrade cost for Nexus One on T-Mobile drove down the price of the handset with $100, and the cut is effective immediately for eligible T-Mobile customers who want to upgrade to the Nexus One.

T-Mobile customer service confirmed the price drop and gave details on the eligibility for this offer, which is slightly complicated. Firstly, you must qualify for a 'full grade' upgrade, meaning you must have had service with T-Mobile for at least 22 months since your last upgrade or new contract.

Also, the $100 price cut is available only for 'individual' and 'regular' customers, meaning those with family account packages would not qualify. No business account users qualify either, T-Mobile sales representatives sanexus oneid. If you are unsure whether you are eligible for the offer, your best bet is to check with T-Mobile customer care (800-937-8997)."

SHOW #86 - NerdBoyTV: CES 2010

In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee talks about the gadgets making a lot of noise at this year's CES 2010, including the new iLounge Pavilion, the Panasonic VT25 3-D Flatscreen Television, the wide assortment of eReaders coming out this year, and a SmartMoney.com matchup review of Google's Nexus One and Apple's iPhone 3GS.

Google Phone vs. iPhone: Head to Head

By Diana Ransom / SmartMoney.com (CLICK to read more)

"Will the company that revolutionized Internet search send the Apple (AAPL) iPhone looking for answers?

At a press gathering on Tuesday, Google (GOOG) unveiled the Nexus One, a Google-branded smartphone that will run on the search giant's Android operating system. Some analysts say Google's new device, which is being built by HTC of Taiwan based on Google's specifications, will deal a stiff blow to Apple's hegemony in the smartphone arena.

Where could Google succeed where other competitors have failed? The Nexus One boasts speed improvements and enhanced camera capabilities, and the device will be sold unlocked. So rather than being forced to sign a contract with AT&T (T), a service provider that has been criticized for network mishaps and poor customer service ratings in the last year, buyers may purchase service plans separately from the device.

The Nexus One is also nice to look at, says Michael Gartenberg, the vice president of strategy and analysis for Interpret, a market researcher in Los Angeles. 'Google's Nexus One is a beautifully designed device,' he says. 'It looks like Google looked at the iPhone and said we can do better.'

For now, the iPhone is the dominant device in the sector. And critics of Google's device say the company's design improvements offer only slight advantages over existing devices and won't necessarily shake iPhone from its perch yet.

SmartMoney took a closer look at how Apple's iPhone and Google's new Nexus One match up."

VIDEO: Google expected to unveil smartphone Nexus One

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Google hopes to change wireless retail game with Nexus One

By Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech (CLICK to read more)

"It wasn't much of a secret, really, but the sleek, Android-powered Nexus One is finally here, and yes: you can buy it directly from Google, over the Web. As expected, the unlocked, no-contract Nexus One will cost you a pretty penny, but subsidized versions will also be available from T-Mobile and ... what's this, Verizon Wireless? You betcha.

Announced this afternoon during a press conference at Google's Mountain View headquarters, the Nexus One (designed by phone maker HTC under Google's strict supervision) is available for purchase right now on Google's new Web store rather than through a carrier—a twist that some observers see as a paradigm shift in the wireless market, where the balance of power is usually tipped in the carrier's favor.

Then again, Google is sticking with the practice of charging an arm and a leg for an unlocked, no-contract handset. If you want it unlocked for use with any SIM card and without a contract, the phone will set you back a cool $530. Here in the U.S., you'll be able to use the Nexus One with either an AT&T or T-Mobile SIM card; that said, AT&T users will only be able to tap into the carrier's EDGE data network, while T-Mobile customers can use both EDGE and 3G.

Another option is to opt for a traditional two-year contract with T-Mobile, which brings the price of the Nexus One down to $180. That detail has already been well leaked; one of the surprises Tuesday, however, was the news that Verizon Wireless in the U.S. (which currently has the Android-powered Motorola Droid) and Vodafone in Europe are also on board with the Nexus One, with versions of the handset for those networks due in the spring. Interesting. (I should note, though, that the current unlocked Nexus One will only work on GSM-based networks, not CDMA carriers like Verizon or Sprint; I'm assuming that the eventual Nexus One for Verizon will be a CDMA phone.)"