My First Week with a Google Nexus One

posted by jangro on (2 years, 4 months ago)

I sold my soul to yet another wireless carrier (T-mobile) so I could be one of the first to try out the new Nexus One (N1). Gadgetlust has a firm hold on me.

I'll likely be ditching the Droid and my Verizon contract because oddly, Verizon's service sucks here (I figured they'd fix it after three years). I seem to be in a dead zone, so while the "Can you hear me now" guy is slogging through the bayous of Louisiana, there are some of us up here in Metro-west Boston who can't get a consistent signal. Since I work at home, that's a problem. The Verizon techs blame it on a body of water that's not far from here. Apparently microwaves cannot pass across the flattest surface possible. I don't know.

Having been an iPhone user since he first one came out, I didn't like the Verizon Droid hardware very much. If I could have snapped the keyboard off and used the rest of the phone it would have been perfect. That's essentially what the N1 is (but with much rounder edges).

While I think it is important to keep in mind when reading this that I'm a huge iPhone fan, that's all I'm going to say about the iPhone in this review. Comparing the two is a subject for a different post, and a topic that's being hammered on by the A-listers all weekend.

Here's what I like about the Nexus One

(though most of this is Android 2.1 stuff)

  • The hardware form factor. It is a great size. The case is slightly rubberized and seems like it will wear well without a third-party case.
  • The glowing trackball is fun, but almost useless. The fact that it works as the camera button saves it.
  • Google Apps integration. Gmail on Android kicks ass. Google Voice integration is extremely well done as well.
  • Voice Search. Really cool, and it works very well.
  • The camera hardware is nice. It takes great pictures and the LED flash is a nice thing to have in a pinch.
  • Facebook phonebook is an awesome idea. (though the Facebook app still sucks)
  • The multi-tasking is nice. Best part is the notifications, but it's also nice to be able to listen to Pandora while doing other stuff, or take a call or tweet while the GPS is running.
  • The turn-by-turn GPS works great
  • There are finally some really great apps appearing. I think 2010 will bring us some well done Android apps.

Here's what I don't like

  • The Marketplace. Finding apps is a total drag. Keyword searches often come up empty (though there MUST be an app for what I'm looking for) but more often a bunch of crap icon packs appear rather than what I'm looking for. And why isn't there a great website for searching for apps?
  • I can't easily take a screenshot. srsly? I was really hoping they'd fix this one in 2.1.
  • The touch screen seems to lose its mind sometimes and either stops responding entirely or I have to do the gesture a few times.
  • The software keyboard is sluggish. I can easily get ahead of it and it drops keys. It seems like it could be better at not only catching every keystroke, but guessing which key I meant to press based on the previous one. There must be some intelligence available to look at key-tuplets to predict what key I'm intending to press.
  • the bar for app development quality and standards is pretty low. Consistency across apps is not great, so it can be a mystery whether you need to to a long touch on the screen, look in the menu button, find another button, etc.
  • The four hard-coded buttons at the bottom of the screen. They're either too easy to press by accident, or too hard to press on purpose. Why aren't these actual buttons anyway?

Bottom line

I've been really enjoying the N1 this week and I'm going to keep it. (and ditching the Droid), but I'm not giving up the iPhone. Even if I did, from the sounds of it, Apple would have me crawling back this summer. I'm resigned to keeping two phones.


Comments & Reactions

  • Posted by Steph Lichtenstein 2 years, 4 months ago

    Make up your mind man! I have stuck with the iPhone for now but had serious Droid envy for a while. I am surprised that Verizon had bad signal for you; I used to have it and it was the best back in the day. As for the N1, I hope you let me check it out at ASW! :)

  • jangro

    Posted by jangro 2 years, 4 months ago

    @microsteph you can surely check out the N1 at #asw10, just get to it before @toddcrawford does. He's promised to perform unnatural acts on it. #thatsallimsayin

  • Posted by My First Week with a Google Nexus One - Cash-Bandit.com 2 years, 4 months ago

    [...] My First Week with a Google Nexus One [...]

  • Posted by Shawn Collins 2 years, 4 months ago

    Like you, I added T-Mobile to my mobile account arsenal to get this phone and I have no regrets.

    The only weird thing is that my above ground home office must have some attributes of a fallout shelter, because I don't get a signal for T-Mobile or AT&T in here.

    Anyhow, I am really enjoying the Nexus One, and it's nice to know I am not the only one who thought the trackball didn't really need to be there.

    The screenshot thing bugs me, but otherwise I am satisfied with the limited number of apps - I don't use that many on my Touch anyway.

    And I always buy my music from Amazon, so it's nice to have that on there.

    My only issue is the lack of accessories - I don't want to have it in my pocket - I'd rather be Batman and have my Blackberry and Nexus One on my belt (what a horrible look now that I think about it), but I don't see much in the way of 3rd party holsters.

  • Posted by Steph Lichtenstein 2 years, 4 months ago

    @jangro I'm a bit scared. Let's plan it so that doesn't happen. @toddcrawford is capable of many things. #notgonnalie

  • Posted by TrishaLyn 2 years, 4 months ago

    If you need a home for your droid once you ditch it, toss it my way lol.

    I love your reviews, btw, because I just can't drop that kind of money on a new phone on a whim, so I need the research. And I trust your opinions, so keep the gadgetlust going so I can live vicariously through you lol

  • jangro

    Posted by jangro 2 years, 4 months ago

    Thanks for saying so Trisha. I'm glad.

    And you know what, giving it away isn't a bad idea. I'm going to bring all three to Vegas because I'm interested to compare the coverage there, and then will make a decision on what to do with the Droid/Verizon.

  • Posted by josef 2 years, 4 months ago

    thx for add this. The only weird thing is that my above ground home office must have some attributes of a fallout shelter, because I don't get a signal for T-Mobile or AT&T in here.

  • Posted by Tommy 2 years, 4 months ago

    Is Google Nexus for phone users only?

  • Posted by Colocation Servers 2 years, 4 months ago

    Features of Nexus one are not justified by its high price,

  • Posted by kredyt studencki 2 years, 4 months ago

    Your blog definitely rule! There's great amount of helpful information. I like this Nexus One a lot it's a great mobile phone :) Hoping to see more posts from you soon. Cheers!

  • Posted by Registry Cleaner Reviews 2 years, 4 months ago

    Nice post - I really like this and wish you the best of luck with the Nexus One

  • Posted by Chris 2 years, 4 months ago

    I hope someday all cellphone makers would design a phone that actually have it all, how I wonder.

  • Posted by The Window Man 2 years, 4 months ago

    The iPhone is still a great phone.

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  • Posted by alisivaci 2 years, 4 months ago

    Nice post - I really like this and wish you the best of luck with the Nexus One

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  • Posted by curtis 2 years, 4 months ago

    Great post!

  • Posted by MattV14 2 years, 4 months ago

    Personally, I love the Droid. The app market is good and returns excellent search results. Also, I've been told that the customer service for the Nexus 1 is an absolute nightmare, and the 3G service is very spotty in most areas. Hope you enjoy the Nexus though.

    http://www.kdf-comp.com" rel="nofollow">
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  • Posted by charles 2 years, 4 months ago

    Nexus is improving to be a great phone for apps and internet.

  • Posted by charles 2 years, 4 months ago

    The nexus is improving to be a great phone for apps and internet.

  • Posted by D?? Cephe Kaplama 2 years, 4 months ago

    Nice post first i thought it was a bit long but then i read all of it .

  • Posted by Carico 2 years, 4 months ago

    I love the iphone but hate the carrier its on. Talk about horrible connection. So I am like you and won't give up on the iphone but have been using other phones from more reliable carriers.

  • Posted by Sachin 2 years, 4 months ago

    I don't think that motorola Droid is at the same level with the iPhone, I'm very much satisfied with my iPhone 3g and wanted to upgrade to 3gs but I'm second thoughts and wanted to get the Nexus. Can you give me some advice on which one to get since you've experienced using both first hand. Thanks in advance

    Sachin

  • Posted by Catheriine 2 years, 4 months ago

    Greatpost. I would like to know how much that mobile phone would cost? I was thinkng of buying an iphone but this looks also like a cool mobile phone

  • Posted by Big Bear Homes 2 years, 3 months ago

    Google is definitely superior to Apple as much as I love Macs. Google's phone will beat everything else in function in no time

  • Posted by Karla Spice 2 years, 3 months ago

    I bought a palm pre, but I've been watching the G phone with a great deal of interest. Your review is extremely thorough. It's interesting that the stuff you list as things you don't like are entirely different than the list I would put together for my pre.

  • Posted by endariom 2 years, 3 months ago

    After reading this post with a lot useful information I will probably buy it, seems like a nice phone.

  • Posted by endariom 2 years, 3 months ago

  • Posted by Pratapan J Karoor 2 years, 3 months ago

    I heard that Google Nexus One wireless net access is slow.. is it true?

  • Posted by Shooter 2 years, 3 months ago

    I love my iPhone and just can't bring myself to show any other phone some love. I hate the look of the Nexus I'd rather all phones have the gloss finish the iPhone has. The iPhone isn't just a great phone it looks great too. IMO the nexus just doesn't cut it, the phone may have better features than the iPhone as of now but I still believe the iphone is the better phone though some will disagree.

    I can't wait to see Apples new iPhone OS, and I don't care how many new phones come out if it's not an iPhone I won't purchase unless I need a secondary phone :D. After the new OS I'll be looking forwards to the next iPhone.

  • Posted by Stan 2 years, 3 months ago

    Is it availble in Canada yet?

    I find it hard to beat the iphone with tons of aps or the blackberry that is ideal for business

  • Posted by deulq 2 years, 3 months ago

    great phone

  • Posted by Coupons 2 years, 3 months ago

    I'm gonna buy me one of this someday... hope to be sson. It sure is a great phone.

  • Posted by David 2 years, 3 months ago

    I'm pleased that someone has managed to find a fix for the lack of Multi touch on the phone

    http://www.nexusoneblog.co.uk/nexus-one-multi-touch-uk/" rel="nofollow">
    http://www.nexusoneblog.co.uk/nexus-one-multi-t...

  • Posted by Brian H. 2 years, 3 months ago

    definitely looking forward to more new apps this year.

  • Posted by David Miles 2 years, 3 months ago

    I was thinking of buying the Google Nexus One, but i think i am going to wait a year... i still have the iphone 3G - I agree with you... I am going to try the N1 latter on

  • Posted by photobirthdaycards 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for the info. iPhones are great, I want to send photo birthday cards from them. Anyone has tried this out?

  • Posted by ygt52 2 years, 3 months ago

  • Posted by aroel 2 years, 3 months ago

    i want this phone badly, but it hasn't arrived in my country yet

  • Posted by aroel 2 years, 3 months ago

    i want this phone badly, but it hasn't arrived in my country yet

  • Posted by chelseybuhler 2 years, 3 months ago

    i don't know how much will it cost when it will be available in my country. But i think i will go to buy it online from my credit card i love its features and application. Great

  • Posted by mark rushworth 2 years, 3 months ago

    I tried a t-mobile pulse as a budget android phone and from what i now know the keyboard issue is a problem on all android phone... it misses key presses and faffs around a lot. i love the notifications on android but gave mine back after it wouldnt keep charge... im now on the HTC HD2 which is great and theyre porting android to it as a dual boot option which should be very cool as google's gps looks great.

  • Posted by selim 2 years, 3 months ago

    How much doas it google nexus one phone? ? want pay nexus one phone.

  • Posted by Mark 2 years, 3 months ago

    I am really thinking about purchasing the nexus one, but unfortunally we get these babys in april later this year ;(

  • Posted by Linda Steenis 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for the great post! At the moment I have an iphone, but I was very curious about the google phone... You filled in the blanks! :)

  • Posted by Arsalan 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm now seriously thinking of getting Nexus One.

  • Posted by Cheap Computers 2 years, 3 months ago

    I am happy to read your blog and admit the webmaster has done a very good job by putting all the information content at one place. I'd like to recommend it with reference to my website http://www.pctechoutlet.com" rel="nofollow">
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  • Posted by ValentinesCostumes 2 years, 3 months ago

    I understand that all companies will have the iphone soon is that correct?

  • Posted by Bradley Senkovich 2 years, 3 months ago

    You know, because I've been trying to avoid Apple all these years, because everything I do is PC. And I like Microsoft based phones and it's ability to seemlessly integrate with any PC i own... still leaning to Iphone even with its lacking of physical keyboard.

  • Posted by Allen Paul 2 years, 3 months ago

    Google Nexus is one of the most expected gadget of the season. Everyone will like to own it. Surely, N1 will replace iphone in the future!

  • Posted by Work at Home 2 years, 3 months ago

    Thanks a ton for this useful review. I'm going to buy one for myself and my gf on this Valentine's day !


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