Google Nexus One Phone

The Nexus One is a smartphone from Google that uses the Android open source mobile operating system. The device is manufactured by Taiwan's HTC Corporation, and became available on January 5, 2010.

The Nexus One runs the Google Android 2.1 operating system, codenamed 'Eclair'. The 2.1 firmware version of the Android operating system adds a few aesthetic changes such as "Live Wallpapers" which are animated in the background and react to different user inputs. Android-based phones have access to more than 18,000 applications

It also replaces the "Application Drawer" with a single button which can be pressed to access the list of applications installed on the phone. This thumbnail list can be scrolled up and down and as it's scrolled, the applications roll up into a 3D cube instead of disappearing from the screen. Once the bottom of the application thumbnail list is hit, the screen bounces off similar to the iPhone functionality.

The integrated Media Gallery, developed by Cooliris, provides several new features allowing the user to browse, edit, and share photos and videos on the phone.

Pinch-zooming is still not available on the 2.1 firmware of Android. However, double-tapping will zoom in. Additionally, the "Gallery" application allows the use of finger swiping to switch pictures rather than requiring use of the "Right" or "Left" arrow keys.

Comparison with other phones

Nexus One has hardware and software multi-touch capability but is not enabled in the U.S. version by default, unlike the iPhone. Nexus One is thinner than iPhone and can be easily synchronization with all Google applications.