The Google Nexus One is one of the hottest upcoming smartphones, and new details have appeared continuously in the last week or so. There's still no word on whether the Google Nexus One will introduce new Google mobile services, other than Google's statement saying that Google employees are currently using the phone for internal development and testing of such.
One new Google Mobile service of high significance was introduced with the Motorola Droid, however, ad-based Google Maps with Navigation. In stead of paying a monthly or lifetime fee, Droid users get turn-by-turn navigation for free thanks to integrated advertisements. Not only does it save Droid users significant costs, but it also gives Verizon Wireless an advantage over competitors. GPS Navigation apps for the iPhone have been dropping in price recently, and that might possibly be a preemptive strike.
What other services could Google offer for free that you're currently paying for at competitors? Probably quite a few, but the importance of selecting the right services at the right time would be required. Some have suggested that Google might simply subsidize the Google Nexus One directly, possibly with the aim of attracting more people to its ad-based services. We agree that it would be an interesting strategy. After all, when Android first became official, the ad-based model was one of the first attractive aspects of the platform.
We're not sure whether the time has come for Android to take that step yet though. Google recently announced that it would acquire AdMob, meaning that the company still is in the process of figuring out exactly how to take out the potential in the ad-based model. It sounds very strange to us if the Google Nexus One goes "all-in" amidst that process. Then it would be better to keep the head cool and wait, as it would certainly be easier to succeed in the long run with an ad-based model when things are going smoothly. The last thing consumers need right now, is entirely disruptive models that could turn out to not be viable.
In that regard, we expect Google to continue its step-by-step strategy, with the aim of changing the market slowly, yet steadily and peacefully.
Editor's note: This article was written before Google posted a blog post on the meaning of open, which pretty much confirms what we expected above in the first place. Google doesn't want to take over the mobile world, but they want to improve it through collaboration with manufacturers, carriers and developers, with one main goal in mind: Deliver products and solutions that'll benefit the end-user.
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