Anand's Google Nexus One Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on April 3, 2010 3:40 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Mobile
Made for Google, by Google
From the very start you're made well aware that the Nexus One, as any other Android phone, is built for tight integration with Google's online services. Things like Google docs, Gmail, Google Talk and Google Voice are all well coupled to the OS. To even start using the device you have to provide or sign up for a Google account. While this is what all companies in Google's position have tried to do (Microsoft pushing Live and Hotmail, Apple pushing Quicktime, iTunes, Mobile Me) the difference here is that virtually all of Google's services are among the best in their class, and they're all free.
I can't really complain about Android's integration with Google apps other than to say that I feel like I'm contributing to making an entity that is seemingly innocent today, even more powerful. Maybe one day we'll pay for giving Google so much power and access, but for now just enjoy the convenience.
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The integration is visible on so many levels. For example, instead of just a single Email icon you have two apps: a Gmail app and an Email app. Distinguishing between Gmail and Email? Interesting.
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By default the Gmail app lives on its own homescreen but obviously you can move it anywhere. The two apps work pretty much the same way but the Gmail app is obviously more flexible. You can search your inbox, you get a grey instead of a black background and of course Gmail on Android supports push. Otherwise, the two apps are rather similar in functionality.
There's integrated Google Talk support, which is also a welcome change from the iPhone's lack of any integrated messenger (you have to rely on 3rd party apps for that). You get new messages and chat invitations as notifications in the upper left hand of your screen just like you would a text message or a missed call.
Google Maps ships with the device and it's ridiculously fast. There's finally multitouch support in the app so it's just as functional as the Maps application on the iPhone, it's just faster on the Nexus One.
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Google Maps for Android also fully supports the Nexus One's integrated GPS and compass, so you have an idea of exactly where you are and what direction you're facing. While these are both features echoed on the iPhone, Google one-ups Cupertino by offering a built in, free of charge, navigation app that integrates with Google Maps.
That's right, you get turn by turn navigation directions with voice for free with the Nexus One. The obvious limitation is that map data is streamed to the phone in real time and not stored on the device like on a dedicated portable nav unit. So if you're in a location where you don't have data access then you do lose navigation.
Nav can run in the background
The turn by turn directions work quite well, although you'll need to remember that the loud speaker on the Nexus One is on its backside so keep it free of obstruction if you're trying to hear the directions.
All in all it's a huge improvement over what the iPhone offers. Turn by turn navigation support can be enabled on the iPhone through 3rd party applications (expensive ones at that), so this isn't a feature that will ultimately drive users to the Nexus One, but it's one that is definitely appreciated.
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fepple - Wednesday, April 7, 2010 - link
+1 for mention of cyanogenAlso of note there is no equaliser which I think the iPhone has?
doratiog - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
The possibility of reading the whole article without the tiring exercise of clicking and clicking again like if readers would have been punished and obliged to suffer Tantalus torture is gone. Not a good and rational decision if you wanted to improve your site.Voo - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
It's just a beta and will come back in no time, so no worries.Other than that.. tiring exercise of clicking a dozen times on a button? Well you could say that, but imho that's a bit far stretched isn't it? ;)
adityanag - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
Print.. PLEASE bring back print!!Anand Lal Shimpi - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
My apologies for not getting it up sooner, we've been swamped with fixes and behind the scenes updates most of this week. We should see it very soon though, just a little while longer :)Take care,
Anand
microAmp - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
If you're using Firefox, try the add-on AutoPager, it'll load the next page while you're scrolling and reading the current page.runner50783 - Sunday, April 4, 2010 - link
I do appreciate the layout, It's a much more organized and concise experience than blogs..., Anantech is not a blog and I hope it does not become one.Trisagion - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
Nice review.I wish you would review the Blackberry Storm2 as well. As a long term Blackberry user, maybe you can give us your thoughts on how productive the phone is without the trademark keyboard. It will also round up the current generation of smart phones - iPhone, Pre, Android and Storm.
straubs - Saturday, April 3, 2010 - link
I think the reason that isn't done is the first Storm was such a flop that really no one considers the Storm to be a competitor with iPhone, Android, or Pre.Trisagion - Sunday, April 4, 2010 - link
That is true, but it's the only touch phone in the Blackberry ecosystem, so I wanted Anand's take on it but anyway...