Nexus One is the HTC Passion, Wind compatible, $530 unlocked, coming in January
Today documents and screenshots leaked out to Gizmodo and Engadget showing some Google pages, and HTC training materials, for the Nexus One Google phone. The HTC documents are also clearly labelled as for the HTC Passion, so these phones are one and the same.
The HTC documents show that the Passion is HTC internal name for the Nexus One, but it is not clear whether HTC will sell it as the Passion in other markets outside North America. The leaked Nexus One images and videos showed the phone running ‘stock’ Android 2.1 without any HTC enhancements, so it will be interesting to see if HTC will offer a version with their own Sense UI interface (which is hands down the best mobile phone interface available today). Luckily even if they don’t XDA developers will be there to help you out with a custom ROM.
The phone will be available directly from Google, either unlocked for $530 USD, or on a 2 year T-Mobile contract for $180 USD (with one plan option only). Since this phone is only usable on 3G with T-Mobile in the US – it uses the AWS 1700Mhz spectrum – the unlocked contract-less option seems a strange option, at least for US users – unless they want to use it on EDGE with AT&T. It does however make sense for Canadian users, since it is compatible with Wind Mobile, and with their $35 unlimited data option this will be the phone to have on Wind. Also in the fine print shipping outside the US is mentioned, so Canadians will have no problem ordering one.
Lastly though while no launch date has been officially confirmed an invite to a Google press event on January 5th went out today, and an internal T-mobile memo confirms early January availability.
First the Motorola Droid, now the Nexus One….2010 is really going to be the year of Android, and Wind’s launch was timed perfectly for this phone. Let’s hope they can fix their network issues ASAP. I might actually consider switching just for this phone!
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