Sprint drops Nexus One in favor of Evo 4G
updated 04:20 pm EDT, Mon May 10, 2010
Sprint rebuffs Google's own phone for Evo 4G
Sprint dealt a blow to Google this afternoon by saying it had abandoned plans for its version of the Nexus One. The carrier explained that it had no need for Google's official Android flagship as the Evo 4G should eclipse it in most every respect: the Sprint-specific device has not only the advantage of its namesake WiMAX but a larger screen, an 8-megapixel rear camera with 720p capture, and a front video chat camera. The decision is abrupt as it follows less than two months after Sprint had pledged a Nexus One release.
The move echoes a similar step from Verizon, which scrapped its own plans for a Nexus One to prefer the Droid Incredible instead. In both cases, the carriers had talked about the newer phones being technically superior to the reference Google phone shipped just a few months earlier.
Both decisions are partial setbacks for Google's hopes for Android. Although it and HTC still benefit from the Droid Incredible and Evo 4G expanding Android's influence, Google had hoped for the Nexus One to disrupt the traditional phone sales model by placing the importance on the phone over the network. It had simultaneously tried to emulate an iPhone-like model where it not only designed the software but had direct influence over the hardware, a move which some had feared would create resentment among Android partners forced to compete in phone sales against their OS supplier.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
Does Google Still Control Android?
AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon all have been moving away from the standard Android platform. AT&T removed Google's default apps and even Google's search from the Backflip. Verizon and Sprint have taken to using HTC Sense UI over the Google default Android platform.
To me, it looks like HTC might now be calling the shots in Android with the carriers telling HTC what they want in the phones they will offer.
This is not working out well for Google which was trying to make Android its platform. The carriers have taken the lead. I soon suspect that Verizon will push its VCast for Android apps instead of the Android Marketplace, and like AT&T, prevent users from downloading third party apps.
There's also the problem with Google not being able to purchase AdMob. That would be the only way Google could make money with Android. Of course, even that is no guarantee. There's nothing that says the carriers won't reroute ad calls to their ad servers instead of Google's ad servers.
I still can't figure out what Google is trying to do with Android and why they even bothered. They would have been better off remaining "neutral" and not pissing off Apple, Palm/HP, and RIM.