Google Rolls Out Nexus One Smartphone

Google is continuing its evolution from online search engine to full-fledged technology provider with the expected release of a new smartphone called Nexus One.

The Nexus One is an extremely compact device which is thinner and lighter than Apple’s iPhone. It features a 1-GHz Snapdragon CPU, a 3.7-inch 480 x 800 display, 512 MB of of RAM and an expandable 4-GB microSD card, as well as a 5-megapixel LED flash camera, WiFi connectivity, and a variety of other rumored whizbangs and geegaws.

NexusOne will run on Google’s own Android operating platform, which already supports smartphones such as the Droid from Verizon and Motorola, as well as other mobile devices such as the Nook e-reader from Barnes & Noble. Handset manufacturer HTC Corp., which also produces a version of Droid with Verizon, is supplying the hardware for NexusOne. Google will reportedly offer NexusOne on version 2.1 of Android, which will supposedly have a superior user interface to the version 2.0 available on other mobile devices. T-Mobile is rumored to be the official NexusOne network provider.

NexusOne is another indication that Google is fearlessly positioning itself to become a dominant player in the technology space. Chrome OS is a clear attempt to grab market share from Microsoft, and NexusOne is a shot directly across the bow of current smartphone leader Apple. Microsoft has thrown a soft retaliatory jab with the launch of its Bing online search engine, it will be interesting to see if and how Apple responds to this invasion of its turf.