It is no secret that Google’s launch of Nexus One phone was less than stellar. Google had so many opportunities to become a game changer in the mobile phone market but missed most of it either because it was in a hurry to launch or just didn’t think hard enough to be different from Apple’s iPhone and others. Here is a list of my Top5 opportunities they missed. Let me know what do you think?
1) New Data only Phone – Google was Industry’s only hope for creating a data only phone i.e. a mobile phone that worked exclusively on the data network wherein voice was just a data service running on VOIP (voice over Internet protocol). With Google Voice it had a chance to do so but failed to deliver a new experience and instead chose to just add Google Voice this as another application something Skype has been doing on many phones for a long time.
2) Worldwide Launch – No mobile phone manufacturer, except RIM in a limited way, has ever succeeded in launching a phone globally on the same day. Google came very close with availability on its web site but missed a part of US, China, India and Korea by not having all GSM and CDMA support at the same time.
3) Pricing Model – Google had a great opportunity to create a low price smart phone and break the mobile operator’s hold on multi-year contracts in the western world where mobile phone is subsidized by the operator. It could have subsidized the phone for a while and create a new pricing model. It could have become an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) if that is what it took to pay for the phone. Instead Google did whatever everyone else did but settled on taking smaller margin between itself and its partner HTC.
4) Speech as a New Interface – Google came close but only got to a beta or alpha stage for using Speech as a new interface on Mobile. Another missed opportunity!
5) Getting rid of Bluetooth Headsets – Despite various new styles, very few people like their Bluetooth headset but are forced to use it due to various handsfree driving laws. Google seems to be getting close to eliminating them with a better audio design but wait - it does need a Car Kit that according to Google is still not available. Again in a hurry to launch!
Bottomline, Google missed an opportunity to change the mobile industry and just became a me too player challenging Apple’s iPhone. What do you think?
R. Paul Singh
I think you have to first learn to appreciate something.
Apple launched the best phone in 2007. People started having a laundry list of features which were not in iPhone.
Come-on… grow up.
Another milestone with Android. Again complaints started….
Google didn’t promise anything to you or you are not paying google create anything.
Google and Apple are both innovative and have their individual pros and cons. But what they are offering to the world is highly appreciative.
Can Mercedes come out with a competitive car today with BMW and say we will match that in Year 2011 model. If not why this soft corner for Google. They are not short of resources as a company. Yes they have come with a great phone but my only point is that it was not as much a game changing as the hype preeceding it was.
I have a Virgin Mobile phone, mainly because I have to watch my budget. I thought when they said that you could buy the phone unlocked, that meant you would pay $500 something dollars, but you would be able to choose the network you wanted. I guess I was pretty stupid to think that would happen. I would have possibly sacrificed some money to buy it.