The Google Nexus One has been both a successful and highly controversial device since it was officially unveiled about six months ago, depending on your take. Analysts have said, due to the way Google tried to sell the device, not enough devices were actually sold to be considered a success - especially considering how well other high-end devices have been doing in today's market. Google CEO Eric Schmidt has another take, however.
According to Schmidt, “The idea a year and a half ago was to do the Nexus One to try to move the phone platform hardware business forward. It clearly did. It was so successful, we didn't have to do a second one. We would view that as positive but people criticised us heavily for that." Whether a surprise or not, there are many (including myself) who will probably be disappointed that there is no Nexus Two on the horizon. Why? Because one of the great things about the N1 (if not THE great thing) is the fact that the newest iterations of Android are sent to the N1 first. Without another Google branded phone in the future, the N1 will eventually become outdated, and presumably everyone will be forced to wait for carrier's and manufacturers to provide updates to the newest version of Android. Though, perhaps this is not as bad as it seems, and part of the answer to ending fragmentation (and Android envy)?
Another comment made by Schmidt, regarding Chrome OS, had a similar ring to it. When asked if Chrome OS would receive a Google branded device (like the Nexus One), Schmidt replied as follows:
"We've talked about it. We have a reference spec for Chrome OS, we have a couple of hardware partners all lined up and the open source is all out there. It's on schedule and it will happen later this year. Let's see how well those partners do first. My guess is we won't need to. The PC industry is different from the phone industry. The PC industry is used to working with Microsoft, whereas the mobile industry was not used to working with software."
It looks like Google is going to try and focus on what it does best for the time being, software. Schmidt seems confident that the need for the Nexus One was primarily to spur sales of high-end Android devices as a whole, and that same need doesn't exist within the PC industry. Time will tell how right he is, but I'll be honest, if Google decides to change their mind and work with HTC in developing a Nexus Two and Acer on a Chrome OS tablet or netbook, I'm sure there will be many watching closely in anticipation. What say you?
