The Google Smart Phone: A Smart Buy?
MOLLY FORMAN
Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Entertainment
MOLLY FORMAN
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The much-anticipated Google Nexus One smartphone finally debuted at Google's California headquarters Tues, Jan 5.
The Nexus One, which Google touts as a "superphone," has many features that aren't necessarily groundbreaking, but add more competition to the market of smartphones. Reviewers agree that it is an impressively powerful device.
As for its speed, it runs on a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor - or in other words, it's very fast. And with 512 MB of memory, it's not only faster than both the iPhone and Motorola Droid; it holds twice as much RAM.
The Nexus has a 3.7 inch OLED 480 by 800 display, which is slightly smaller than that of the Droid's 3.7 inch 480 by 854 display; however, the Droid uses TFT-LCD technology, which lacks the brightness and color richness of the OLED display.
Weighing in at 130 grams and 11.5 millimeters in thickness, it's also lighter and smaller than the Droid, iPhone and others.
The phone runs on the Android 2.1 software. Most improvements showcased in the Nexus revolve around this software update, which follows Android 2.0 for the Droid. Interesting changes include voice-enabled typing for all text fields. Instead of fumbling with tiny keyboards, one can speak directions or text messages into the phone. Wallpapers on the phone can be moved and respond to touch. The home screen contains five panels instead of three, and the phone can be navigated by touching the panel thumbnails that are on the home screen.
The phone has a five-megapixel camera with LED flash, and a built-in 3D photo gallery where you can organize your pictures by albums. There is also a new look to the Android "app drawer."
These software-based changes will make their way to the Droid as well, and are not exclusive to the Nexus One.
Aside from the Android update, the Nexus One features something called the "Active Noise Cancellation System." The phone has a second microphone that is programmed to pick up ambient noise around the person speaking, and cancel it out. This results in a clearer sounding call for both parties.
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The much-anticipated Google Nexus One smartphone finally debuted at Google's California headquarters Tues, Jan 5.
The Nexus One, which Google touts as a "superphone," has many features that aren't necessarily groundbreaking, but add more competition to the market of smartphones. Reviewers agree that it is an impressively powerful device.
As for its speed, it runs on a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor - or in other words, it's very fast. And with 512 MB of memory, it's not only faster than both the iPhone and Motorola Droid; it holds twice as much RAM.
The Nexus has a 3.7 inch OLED 480 by 800 display, which is slightly smaller than that of the Droid's 3.7 inch 480 by 854 display; however, the Droid uses TFT-LCD technology, which lacks the brightness and color richness of the OLED display.
Weighing in at 130 grams and 11.5 millimeters in thickness, it's also lighter and smaller than the Droid, iPhone and others.
The phone runs on the Android 2.1 software. Most improvements showcased in the Nexus revolve around this software update, which follows Android 2.0 for the Droid. Interesting changes include voice-enabled typing for all text fields. Instead of fumbling with tiny keyboards, one can speak directions or text messages into the phone. Wallpapers on the phone can be moved and respond to touch. The home screen contains five panels instead of three, and the phone can be navigated by touching the panel thumbnails that are on the home screen.
The phone has a five-megapixel camera with LED flash, and a built-in 3D photo gallery where you can organize your pictures by albums. There is also a new look to the Android "app drawer."
These software-based changes will make their way to the Droid as well, and are not exclusive to the Nexus One.
Aside from the Android update, the Nexus One features something called the "Active Noise Cancellation System." The phone has a second microphone that is programmed to pick up ambient noise around the person speaking, and cancel it out. This results in a clearer sounding call for both parties.
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