Google launches the Nexus One.

Google has launched its first branded mobile phone – the Nexus One – which will be sold through its new web store with the aim of “accelerating innovation on mobile products.”

Launching the phone, Google’s VP of Product Management Mario Quieroz, said in his blog that the overriding objective of the mobile and web store is to make the user experience largely a simple one.

“Nexus One is an exemplar of what’s possible on mobile devices through Android – when cool apps meet a fast, bright and connected computer that fits in your pocket.”

Google have recognised that people are increasingly diverse in their use of their mobile and the internet and demand technology that can keep up with their pace of life including social networking, working from home and accessing entertainment. This can be truly opitmised by the ever-increasing popularity of the Apple iPhone, which has successfully dominated the market.

The internet giant has teamed up with innovation heavyweight HTC – the pioneering team which was responsible for the first Microsoft powered Smartphone as well as the first Microsoft Smart Music Phone.

“The Nexus One belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call ‘superphones’, with the 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset making it as powerful as your laptop computer of three to four years ago,” commented Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering at HTC.

The Nexus One boasts a number of hardware features including a five megapixel auto focus with flash; 512MB Flash onboard memory, as well as weighing just 130g. Software innovations on the phone include Google Maps Navigation, email and a phone book allowing the consumer to aggregate contacts from multiple sources including Facebook.

It also provides the user with access to more than 18,000 applications, in addition to a voice-enabled keyboard, transcribed voicemail messages and unique personalisation.

However, the phone does come at a price and is available in the US for $529 (£332) or from $179 if the user takes up a two-year contract with T-Mobile USA. Google said it will review additional partners in the coming months which may help lower costs.

John Delaney, Research Director at IDC, says that this could be Google’s biggest drawback with the Nexus One. He commented: “Google needs to get as many of these devices into users’ hands as quickly as possible.

“Failure to do that will not only negate the device’s strategic goal, but it will also damage Google’s brand prestige, since comparisons will inevitably be made with the high volumes of iPhones that Apple has shipped.”

The price seems to be one of the most contentious issues with Google’s offering. In 2006, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt told Reuters: “Your mobile phone should be free. It just makes sense.”