Earlier today, we discussed the lackluster sales of Google's Nexus One smartphone. One of the reasons we think sales are below expectations is that the phone was previously only available on one 3G carrier in the U.S. and Canada.
While Google is still only selling the phone unsubsidized through T-Mobile, consumers now have two options when buying an unlocked handset. Both versions sell for $529. Additionally, the Nexus One can now be shipped to Canada from the Google web store.
This is a nice step and certainly offers up more carrier choices for the Nexus One, but it still isn't an ideal solution. For instance, if you live in the United States, you are still going to be locked to one provider for all intents and purposes. If you want to use the phone on a 3G network, you're still going to have to choose a version of the phone that will be incompatible with other carriers.
Yes, you can now choose to buy an unlocked device that will work with AT&T, but that same device will not work on T-Mobile, at least not in 3G. Likewise, the T-Mobile 3G unlocked phones will not work on AT&T's network in anything other than EDGE.
European countries -- where there isn't an ongoing game of chicken taking place over not only wireless technology, but what frequency each operator uses -- can continue to use either device on most networks, including support for 3G.
Our frustration with the lack of dual-band support for both North American 3G UMTS frequencies aside, this is still great news for anyone who wanted a Nexus One device, but needed to use it on a 3G network other than T-Mobile.
Does having the Nexus One available for AT&T make you more willing to consider buying the phone? Let us know!
