There's been a lot of rumbling about Google's Nexus One, their hot new entry into the mobile phone market. The Android-powered phone continues to draw attention amongst tech-types who are looking for alternatives to certain other multi-touch capable devices as the competition in the smartphone market heats up.

Nats has taken the Nexus One through its paces, giving the all-important software-side a thorough investigation - so if you're interested in an in-depth examination of this hot new phone, then head over and have a read!

This is an awesome review, thanks! I am actually pretty convinced that I want one.

Pity it's difficult getting one in Australia (as usual). Also, I wonder what the various android readers are like - anyone with an android phone know about this?

I'm intrigued. Always wanted a google phone, and now that I'm looking at getting an OS phone, it's hard to pick between iPhone 3GS or the Android when it's available...

Good review. I'd definitely buy this over an iPhone but I'm guessing it's just not worth the hassle with the ongoing issues with Optus and lack of NextG support. Better off waiting until it's properly supported (as much as that pains me to say).

@Eorl - Android is an operating system, not a phone. An increasingly large number of phones will be running Android as the o/s soon.

disregard my comment.

Ah yes, sorry bout that Pinky, got my words mixed up it seems :P

Its probably worth mentioning, I was certainly unconvinced prior to actually getting the Nexus One. I bought it primarily to do Android development work on at work, so I was not going to be too fussed if kept using my iPhone instead.

Like I say in my conclusion, after using it for a while - its a great phone, and I won't be going back. If you aren't addicted to iTunes I definitely recommend checking out either the N1 or one of the other Android phones that are hitting the market later this year.

What ongoing issues with Optus? I'm not interested in being with Telstra anyway, so NextG wouldn't be an issue for me, even if it is great coverage.

this may be a solution?

Hah, signal coverage on 2100mhz is anus, and also more power consuming.

Slightly more on topic, is there an index to this article or am I just missing it? I wanted to go to the conclusion/final thoughts and I had to scroll-to-the-bottom-click-next about 4 or 5 times.

On topic, I would be buying one of these if I didn't already own an iPhone (which seems to be a pretty common response), and considering there's probably a new iPhone revision coming out june/july when my contract is up I might just wait and see what's there first.

Slightly more on topic, is there an index to this article or am I just missing it? I wanted to go to the conclusion/final thoughts and I had to scroll-to-the-bottom-click-next about 4 or 5 times.

On topic, I would be buying one of these if I didn't already own an iPhone (which seems to be a pretty common response), and considering there's probably a new iPhone revision coming out june/july when my contract is up I might just wait and see what's there first.

Haha I was thinking the same thing when I had to click through to the conclusion.

Agree with the last comment too - and since I don't have an iPhone, it will most likely happen!

What ongoing issues with Optus? I'm not interested in being with Telstra anyway, so NextG wouldn't be an issue for me, even if it is great coverage.

Currently Optus are blocking paid apps from the Android app market. Google pays telcos 30% of the app market revenue but Optus seem to be rejecting this and are 'working to bring the Android application market to customers'. A common conclusion is that Optus are being greedy, but without the ins and outs about what sort of bandwidth is required to support app market style services who really knows if they are are or not.

There is a way to work around it though, so that's probs not a deal breaker - but it's another hassle, and workarounds cannot be relied upon.

I know it's been said, but that was a really good review Nathan.

You answered all of the questions that I would want to investigate. I like how you compared the iPhone and the N1 with maturity, objectivity and composure. No hyperbole or exaggeration, I liked it.

Seems the N1 has more future functionality freedom potential than the iPhone, but the iPhone has more Apps now and works well with all it's proprietary hardware knick-knacks. I like how the N1 is upgradable to 32GB with a micro SD card, meaning the user can carry around data and even have multiple sets as backup.

Currently Optus are blocking paid apps from the Android app market. Google pays telcos 30% of the app market revenue but Optus seem to be rejecting this and are 'working to bring the Android application market to customers'.

Yes good point Pinky, I actually forgot to mention the issue in the review but I find it infuriating. Its a very good reason to avoid Optus; I intend to shift carriers when my contract is up.

Great review but I'm still waiting for that n900 review :(

I can tell you that the "nice to have some access back" commentary makes it very enticing. A decent camera (for a phone), the high resolution screen, storage access, native Gmail support (no more "Folders" through IMAP), bigger battery and customisation would be a breath of fresh air quite honestly.

I hope that Apple can finally get a kick up the arse and start making the iPhone less "annoying", as much as it's a nice to use phone. Steve Jobs is turning into a cranky old megalomaniac (not that he ever wasn't).

The main thing that would stop me is the lack of 850MHz support, as I'm on Telstra.

Hog: this post is real, btw ;)

last edited by 3dee at 16:30:43 08/Feb/10

I wonder what Steve Jobs thinks of this software listing rofl: http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/productivity_tools/themissingsyncforandroid.html

Nats - any Exchange servers you can connect it too to test functionality?

Oh that. I did notice something about Optus being tools about the market paid apps. Its really gay of Optus, but just personally I can't see it being a huge issue for me as I wouldn't bother buying paid apps.

Every time I receive a call at home on my mobile, it reminds me that I should be looking at NextG compatible phones, because I'm in a 3G dead zone in the middle of fucking Chapel Hill and can hardly get any reception.

One of the best things is being able to use it to carry data around instead of on a usb (tho I guess you still need a cord or card reader), and also no itunes! yay!

TicMan, I only have access to Zimbra's outlook connector thing. I can read my email through it, but my calendar comes up blank / is not supported. I haven't yet looked to see if there is a solution.

EDIT: http://androidforums.com/nexus-one/33648-no-exchange-calendar.html covers the situation pretty well. No built-in support; you can pay $20 for an Android app someone makes that provides native connectivity, or you can run a program on your desktop PC to sync your exchange calendar onto your Gmail account.