Vodafone launches Google's Nexus One Android phone

The local Android-powered mobile phone space continues to heat up with Vodafone to start selling Google’s Nexus One handset from today.

Manufactured by HTC, the Nexus One ships with Android 2.1 (Eclair) and aims to “seamlessly bridge the gap between Web and Phone”, according to Vodafone.

The Nexus One will be available from Thursday July 1 for $0 upfront on the $79 cap plan over 24 months.

It is available exclusively to new and existing Vodafone customers and the carrier says suppliers are “limited” and people should register their interest to secure a device.

Vodafone has put up a Nexus One page on its Web site.

The Nexus One is almost identical to the HTC Desire, which was launched by Telstra earlier this year.

Its features include a 3.7 inch multi-touch screen, Google Web search by voice, a 5 megapixel camera with video capture, and a 4GB MicroSD memory card with support for cards up to 32GB.

The Nexus One has HSPA, Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 and A-GPS connectivity.

This week Google announced the new Android 2.2 (Froyo) software update will be pushed out to Nexus One phones.

Vodafone has not committed to a date when the update will be available for its Nexus One handsets, but it will not stop people from downloading it.

“Nexus One users will begin to receive the Android 2.2 over-the-air software update on their phones,” according to Google. “This update provides some great new features including support for making your handset a portable hotspot and support for Adobe Flash within the browser.”

To access the update Nexus One users will receive a message on the phone's notification bar. The update is downloaded by the user and then installed on the phone.

The Nexus One joins the HTC Legend at Vodafone and a growing number of Android-based devices on the wider market from a range of manufacturers including Motorola and Sony Ericsson.

Rodney Gedda is Editor of TechWorld Australia. Follow Rodney on Twitter at @rodneygedda. Rodney's e-mail address is rodney_gedda@idg.com.au. Follow TechWorld Australia on Twitter at @Techworld_AU

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