Google's Nexus One - Canadian Debut?

For the second year in a row the biggest hyped product is the Nexus One smartphone from Google.  The Nexus One is built by HTC but is sold to carriers by Google.  Buyers can buy a Nexus One unlocked for use on any GSM cellular network for $529.00.  T-Mobile USA offers a subidized version for $179.00 on a two year contract. 

For Canadians this means that the only way to get a Nexus One is to buy direct from Google.  For those who don't want to pony up six or seven Bordens once exchange rate and shipping are factored in. There maybe an agreement with a carrier coming soon.  Rogers, Fido, Bell and Telus are compatible with the Nexus One.  Koodo, Virgin Mobile, MTS and Sasktel are not compatible as the Nexus One is GSM only for now.  There is supposed to be a CDMA version of the Nexus One for Verizon Wireless stateside.  With Bell and Telus going GSM/HSPA it is unlikely that the CDMA Nexus One will make an appearance in Canada.

For Handset makers the Nexus One poses an interesting challenge, buying the Android operating system for their own smartphones which has to compete against the Nexus One.  For Google selling the Nexus One isn't so much about generating a revenue stream from something other than online advertising.  Perhaps it's to show handset makers, cellular carriers and consumers what Android can really do.

CES 2010: AT&T Getting Android and WebOS Smartphones

One of the early announcements from the Consumer Electronics Show is bound to reverberate in Western Canada.  AT&T has announced seven new smartphones running Google's Android and Palm's Web OS.  Undoubtely each of the Android models will find a home with a carrier on this side of the 49th parallel. AT&T picking up Palm's WebOS phones that will have the most impact in Western Canada.  Palm's WebOS exclusivity agreement with Bell have excludes regional carriers MTS and Sasktel from offering the Palm Pre.

Since the majority of AT&T's phone lineup ends up on Rogers, getting  GSM versions of the Pre and Pixi, then it will allow Rogers to offer the Pixi at first and then the Pre will be available when the exclusivity agreement with Bell expires.  For Bell, who is in the process of making a switch over from CDMA to GSM, will most likely switch to the GSM version of the Pre that they will offer to new subscribers.  Getting Palm WebOS is a win for Rogers but is also a win for subscribers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan who have not had access to the Palm Pre yet.  That's why carrier exclusivity agreements end up hurting consumers and need to come to a mandated end.

Playing The Odds on CES 2010

Now that everybody has received the tech toys they wanted this Christmas just past, people will get their first looks at the gadgets that will be under the tree next Christmas.  The 2010 installment of the annual Consumer Electronics Show is set to start in Las Vegas.  Here's my guesses and the odds of appearing on the convention floor.

1000:1 TV's with OLED screens bigger than a sheet of paper.

700:1 Prototype for digital broadcast radio system appears and become the big hit of the show.

200:1 Hundreds of TV's and DVR's supporting OpenCable appear at the show.

50:1 3D TV appears at the show with full support of the networks.

5:1 Keynote from Microsoft's Steve Ballmer contains not much more than Zunes, and Smartphones running Windows Mobile interconnected with PC's and Xbox 360.  Microsoft board of directors starts hunting for new CEO.