Google Nexus One deals & review

In a word or two

The Google Nexus One is a state-of-the-art mobile phone which will prove a strong addition to the smartphone market.

The Design

Slightly thinner than the iPhone, the Google Nexus One is a surprisingly slender smartphone considering all the technology it houses. The screen is 3.7 inches which allows you to really appreciate the colour and clarity of videos, pictures, web pages and icons. The size of the screen is impressive and although not the largest on a phone – for example, the HTC HD2 has a 4.3 inch screen and the Toshiba TG01 has a 4.1 inch screen – it is eye-friendly and still pocket-sized too.

The screen is touchsensitive and the only physical key on the front of the Google Nexus One is the navigation trackball. Running along the bottom of the screen are touch buttons for back, menu, home and search. These are all designed to make the mobile easier to operate – and the user-friendliness does not stop there.

The on-screen keyboard is large enough for quick data input, and functions such as displaying the full word after only a couple of letters – also seen on the iPhone 3G S – help to make typing on the Google Nexus One even speedier. And if you are a not keen typist or fancy a change of process, you can simply activate the voice recognition feature. This lets you dictate words, from a simple text message to inputting a web search – and it works well with few misspelt words.

Specifications

The decent size and resolution of the touchscreen on the Google Nexus One is complemented by its ability to run applications. Powered by the Snapdragon processor, the Nexus is quick at launching widgets like GoogleTalk and Picasa, as well as searching and browsing online. The smartphone is even able to comfortably run several applications at once without any signs of slowing down.

The camera on the Google Nexus One is of an equally high standard. The quality of image rendered thanks to the 5-megapixels is enhanced by the camera’s other features including autofocus, LED flash, 2x digital zoom and smile detection. The geo-tagging function means you’ll always know where each photo was taken. The video option is also capable of capturing good footage.

In terms of communication, the HTC-manufactured Nexus One will not let you down. The smart exterior goes hand-in-hand with communication options suitable for both home and office use, including instant messaging and email. The text messages are shown in a threaded view, like a conversation with one text below the other – similar to the layout for messaging on the iPhone 3G S.

Considerations

For all the impressiveness of the browser capabilities, the Google Nexus One does not have a multi-touch, pinch and zoom, ability.

Verdict

Given its design, friendly nature and cutting-edge features, the Google Nexus One is an attractive smartphone.