Google ending wide distribution of Nexus One

Google today effectively brought completely international distribution of the Nexus One to an end today as it said it was now finally near closing its online store. The company had previously warned of a switch to carrier deals but now says it's shipping only its remaining inventory. Support will remain, but customers still wanting a phone afterwards will have to turn to the carriers selling the phone in a specific country.

The company did leave a channel open for developers who need an always up to date version of Android and said it would be selling the Nexus One through "a partner," although these users would need to be signed up. Google also hinted that it might expand the Nexus One to more carriers, but only based on "local market conditions."

A change largely marks the end of the phone as it was originally promised. In January, Google had hoped to change the dynamics of the phone industry by placing the emphasis on getting the device before the carrier by letting customers buy the phone directly and unlocked. It's also widely believed to have wanted a true halo phone for Android that would always have the latest OS and, like the iPhone, would have tight integration between hardware and software.

Google has claimed it doesn't need the Nexus One now that the Droid Incredible, Evo 4G and equivalents are in place. However, the phone only sold modestly well and was easily eclipsed by most other devices. Most criticism has centered around Google's severe lack of advertising, as it only seldomly mentioned the phone on the web and never produced TV or outdoor ads. The inability to try one in a store was also considered a setback.

By Electronista Staff