Google officially introduced the world to the Nexus One phone on Jan 5th, exactly four week ago. Apart from the semi private introduction part, only open to invitees and of course all their web blogs/video feeds (for the rest of us), there has been very little advertising of the Nexus One. The N1 available today pretty much only fully supports T-Mobile’s network, the fourth largest cellular service provider in the US. However, it’s been known since Jan 5th, that a version for Verizon wireless will be available the first half of 2010. I have made the connection that this will ring true for Sprint users as well, since the hardware should be identical, I wouldn’t see why Google/Sprint would not offer the phone as well. Finally, we’ve seen some FCC filings that suggest there is a Nexus One, or something extremely similar, that fully supports AT&T’s network. So, the question remains, why the lack of advertisement?
I’ll start with my evil hat on and state that one possible reason is Google is using this first group of consumers as Beta testers to work out the kinks in the N1 hardware/software. Ever since the N1′s release there have been numerous reports of bad 3G connectivity with the N1 and T-Mobile’s network. Some think it’s a hardware issue, others this it’s software or maybe a combination of both and T-Mobile’s network. In addition to this, there are reports of touch screen issues, on top of a number of less prevalent problems. So, could Google be staying relatively quiet on the N1 advertising front until they are sure the Nexus One is ready for the rest of the world? Of course this kind of contradicts their whole “Don’t be evil.” game plan.
I’m removing my evil hat and placing on my logic hat. Maybe Google is simply going to let the carriers provide the sales and advertising work. If that’s the case, T-Mobile doesn’t seem too interested in advertising at least at this time. I can see why though. If Google really will be providing a Nexus One version for each of the top four service providers in the US, then why would one carrier spend the money advertising a product that would be available to all carriers/markets? I would think they wouldn’t. That leaves Google to do it’s own or possibly HTC. Maybe they are waiting until the phone is widely available before starting the advertising campaign. I have seen a phone advertisements to date, but those all include limited audiences, nothing like what Verizon does for the DROID or T-Mobile for the myTouch 3G series phones.
At this point I’m a little confused as to what the Nexus One means to Google, HTC and the carriers. Is it just a pet project? Something to test Android 2.1 with, something just for fun? If it’s direct competition with the iPhone, why not more general marketing, magazines, TV, newspapers etc? Ask any of your non tech friends and family about the Nexus One…see how many blank stares you get.
