Wow. I did NOT see that one coming! Google just announced a new handset…
Anyone who read my prior article back on August 6th (“Should Google Stick to Search?“) will remember that I was not surprised that Google let the NexusOne die a quiet death — it was a bad move for Google to get into hardware handsets in the first place, putting them into square competition with their supposed “partners”, etc. It sold poorly, and there were better handsets available from Google’s partners (HTC, Motorola etc.). I thought giving up on the NexusOne was a smart move in the wake of a bad one. Then this.
I am completely befuddled. Was this the plan the entire time? Who gives up on a device when another is already in the wings? No, you keep pushing and promoting and building marketshare and you heavily tout that the next version is coming. Witness the iPhone 4 “Antennaegate”. Apple worked to address the issue best as they could, giving rubber bumpers for free until modified, slipstreamed versions of the hardware with tweaks could reach shelves, etc. And in the meantime they’re already heavily into iPhone 5 development. Who drops a major new product (first of its kind for Google), leaves a half-year void, then announces a follow-up? This is very bizarre.
I cannot help wonder if this was on purpose, or if Google back-tracked on their backtrack after the fact?
I have no opinions at this point, merely awe and confusion. This will be interesting to watch unfold!
UPDATE: More of the details are coming out now. This phone was developed in conjunction with Samsung and is being bundled specifically and only with T-Mobil and sold via exactly one retail location: Best Buy. So this is a completely different approach than Google took with the NexusOne where they tried to sidestep everyone and sell direct and produce their own brand of phone. They obviously are stepping up their animosity with Apple and are taking every shot that they can between the phone and the new Google Bookstore that was announced today as well. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out over the next year or so. I think consumers win regardless. The only real loser will be Amazon on the bookstore side.
