With the announcement of Google’s Nexus One on January 5th, I thought it was time to take a look at the Android platform. In simple terms, Android is an open-source mobile platform. Some of it’s high-profile devices are the Google G1, myTouch 3G, Motorola Droid and the Google Nexus One (aka: the Google Phone).
From a functional perspective, the Nexus One is fairly similar to the Motorola Droid, with one exception. The Motorola Droid has a physical keyboard, where as the Nexus One does not. In the following post, we’re going to compare the Nexus One with the iPhone 3Gs and the BlackBerry.
Nexus One vs. iPhone 3Gs
The Nexus One is perhaps the only device that comes close to the elegant industrial design of the iPhone. No other device does that. In terms of functionality, the Nexus One does certain things well, but has some significant drawbacks in other categories:
- Browser: The browser on the iPhone is still superior to the browser on the Nexus One. In the United States, the Nexus One browser does not support multi-touch interactions, which is a significant drawback while browsing large webpages.
- Phone: Call quality on the Nexus One is better than the call quality on the iPhone. However, as a phone, the Nexus One is difficult to use. Similarly, the phone interface of the Nexus One makes it appear as if the phone functionality on the device was created as an afterthought. Given that the Nexus One is a mobile communication device, this is a disappointing oversight.
- Apps: Without a doubt, the iPhone App Store library is bigger and more dynamic than the Droid Market. However, upon various tests it was easier to download apps directly on the device with the Nexus One than it was for the iPhone.
- Media: The screen quality on the Nexus One is vastly superior to the iPhone. It’s not even close. However, the Apple media ecosystem is vastly superior to the one of the Nexus One, making it more convenient for those who have all their media on iTunes.
Nexus One vs. BlackBerry
BlackBerry devices continue to improve year-after-year. However, they’re still very much messaging devices. The Nexus One and the iPhone are devices that can do multiple things — messaging, social networking, media playback, web browsing, etc. However, the BlackBerry fails in nearly every department.
- Browser: To put it mildly, the browser on the BlackBerry might as well be non-existent. In order to even get mediocre web-browsing experience on the BlackBerry, it is essential to install a 3rd party browser.
- Phone: BlackBerrys continue to have the best call and speaker quality. However, the Nexus One is comparable and offers a similar call quality.
- Apps: While apps do exist on the BlackBerry, many of the “popular” apps on other platforms have been ported over. For example, Skype has developed a mobile version of their service for the iPhone, Nexus One, and even Windows Mobile! They have yet to release one for the BlackBerry. Amongst all devices, the BlackBerry has the worst app availability.
- Media: The new BlackBerry devices have good media capabilities. However, unless you get the new Storm devices, the screen sizes for the rest of the product lineup are poor.
Summary:
The Android platform finally challenges the iPhone, but still lacks crucial functions across the board. However, the iPhone and the Nexus One make BlackBerry seem like an ancient idea. In order for BlackBerrys to succeed, innovation is absolutely necessary. If you’re deciding between the Nexus One and the iPhone, go for the Nexus One, because the AT&T network is abysmal (in the United States). Anywhere outside the United States, the iPhone is still the best device.
