Nexus One, I hate to see your online web store disappear. You were a good little Nexus most of the time, giving people Android 2.1, a 3.7-inch AMOLED display, and an unlocked experience, all in an unbranded package. Unfortunately, the Google "experience" was arguably sub-par, leading to customer frustration that eventually translated into low sales numbers.
The good news? If I'm reading the post correctly, Google is working to bring the device to retail partners across the US (read: AT&T and T-Mobile), so it's not the end of the device as we know it. First and foremost, I wouldn't be surprised to see the unit land in T-Mobile retail outlets, particularly given the two-year pricing collaboration combined with some past leaks (like T-Mobile retail stores carrying accessories). AT&T, on the other hand...it's a bit of a long stretch, given that the company hasn't exactly supported the device. That being said, with an AT&T model ready to ship, the nation's second largest carrier might be willing to stock it.
The full Google statement is below. Anyone hoping for availability at your local T-Mobile or AT&T store? Discuss!
Nexus One changes in availability
We launched Nexus One in January with two goals in mind: to introduce a beacon of innovation among Android handsets, and to make it quick and easy for people to buy an Android phone. We’re very happy with the adoption of Android in general, and the innovation delivered through Nexus One. Already, a lot of the innovation that went into creating Nexus One has found its way into numerous Android handsets, like the HTC Evo 4G from Sprint and the Verizon Droid Incredible by HTC.
But, as with every innovation, some parts worked better than others. While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not. It’s remained a niche channel for early adopters, but it’s clear that many customers like a hands-on experience before buying a phone, and they also want a wide range of service plans to chose from.
So today we’re announcing the following changes:
More retail availability. As we make Nexus One available in more countries we’ll follow the same model we’ve adopted in Europe, where we're working with partners to offer Nexus One to consumers through existing retail channels. We’ll shift to a similar model globally.
From retail to viewing. Once we have increased the availability of Nexus One devices in stores, we'll stop selling handsets via the web store, and will instead use it as an online store window to showcase a variety of Android phones available globally.
Innovation requires constant iteration. We believe that the changes we're announcing today will help get more phones to more people quicker, which is good for the entire Android ecosystem: users, partners and also Google.
