Google Nexus One Basically Confirmed for Jan. 5 Debut

Google has invited journalists to an event early next month, where this company is widely expected to unveil its first smartphone, the Nexus One. In addition, an internal document leaking out of T-Mobile helps to confirm some of the details of this model.

Unconfirmed reports of the Nexus One have been circulating for the past few weeks. It's supposedly going to a high-end smartphone running the Android OS. Unlike other models with this OS, it is going to be sold under Google's brand name.

A Special Event
Not surprisingly, the invitation being sent out by Google to the press is somewhat vague:

With the launch of the first Android-powered device just over a year ago, we've seen how a powerful, open platform can spur mobile product innovation. And this is just the beginning of what's possible.

Please join us in Mountain View on January 5, for an Android press gathering.

Several unconfirmed reports have indicated that Google is going to launch the Nexus One on January 5, so this invitation apparently shows that these were accurate.

Google + T-Mobile + HTC
A great deal of evidence has emerged to show that the Nexus One will be offered with service from T-Mobile USA.

A document that has leaked out of this carrier's support group helps confirm some of earlier reports, plus it reveals some new ones.

According to it, "The Google Android phone will be sold solely by Google via the web," so this product apparently won't appear on T-Mobile's website. However, this carrier will handle billing for its wireless service.

The document goes on to say, "Support for this device including troubleshooting and exchanges will be managed by Google and HTC." This shows that the Nexus One will be a re-branded smartphone from HTC, almost certainly the HTC Bravo.

An Early Overview of the Google Nexus One
Google has already handed out proto-type units of the Nexus One to many of its employees, so the details on this model are fairly well known.

It will sport a 3.7-inch, WVGA, AM-OLED display and optical trackpad.

It will run Android OS 2.1 on a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor, and have 512 MB RAM. This device will reportedly come with a 4 GB microSD card, and users will have the option to expand this up to 32 GB.

The Nexus One will be a GSM phone with support for only T-Mobile USA's 3G service (7.2 Mbps HSDPA), not any of this carrier's larger rivals'. Still, AT&T customers will be able to make phone calls and make 2.5G (EDGE) connections.

The gPhone, as it's sometimes called, will also include Wi-Fi a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and stereo support.

In addition, this smartphone will reportedly have a 5 MPx camera with auto-focus and LED flash, a GPS receiver, accelerometer, and digital compass.

The outer casing will allegedly be 4.7 inches tall, 2.3 inches wide, and 0.5 inches thick (119 mm x 59 mm by 12 mm). It will weigh in at 4.6 oz. (130 g).

Unconfirmed reports say T-Mobile will sell this smartphone for $200 with a two-year contract.

Source: Engadget, TmoNews