About that amazing Nexus One display…

If you still feel that your Nexus One is the king of crop as far as smartphone displays are concerned, you may not want to read this. (Spoiler alert: N1 display isn’t so hot!) Care for more info? Right, cheerio then.

Looking at the picture above, one can easily see the difference between the top (iPhone 3GS) and bottom (N1) displays — the latter looks like junk. It looks like junk if you know what you’re looking for that is. That striping non-sense is called banding, and it’s a good indicator of screen quality and color depth. Ironically, the N1 display which is so highly regarded for it’s amazing eye popping color reproduction is actually displaying nothing more than 16-bit color. The iPhone 3GS as well as many other smartphone use 32-bit. As a result, color intensity levels (and more specifically, image quality) suffer.

Oh there’s more. (Told you not to read this if you’ve got a soft spot for the N1). Besides the missing color depth, sub-pixel rendering, and below average brightness. Above all else however, it’s worth mentioning that to most users, the added pizazz that has wowed you so far were likely chosen by Google over such things as touchscreen accuracy and outdoor performance.

Even still, the once almighty N1 just became a little less almighty. Why is it that ’till this day, no one can seem to build a quality, spec beast of a smartphone without screwing some feature(s) over?

For a much more detailed account of the exact issues with the N1 (and subsequent murdering of your so far near flawless opinion), stop on by DisplayMate and soak it all in.

Gizmodo > DisplayMate

Google throws Nexus One owners a line, a much needed and welcome support line.

One of the biggest complaints end users had concerning the Nexus One can officially be crossed off of the list of “reasons not to buy” today. The announcement of the first (and only) Nexus One support hotline should be the sounding horn of relief for many agitated Nexus One owners who have found the answers and pleas help go pretty much unanswered until this point.

For interested parties, dialing (888) 48NEXUS (63987) between the hours of and 7:00 am – 10:00 pm PST from here on out will result in getting to a nice warm bodied human sooner or later. It’s worth throwin’ in that normally the Goog’s isn’t too chipper in the support department for any of it’s products. That withstanding, it’s important to realize the radically different product and user market of the Nexus One and the challenges and required support that come standard with phone.

Nexus One owners: have you reached out for Google’s late yet gracious lifeline of support? If you manage to phone up the number listed above, give us some oh so interesting details like how long it took you to get through and how many phone techs you had to go through before you question was answered/solved. We’d be so appreciative, really we would.

Slashgear > Cnet

WordPress for Android to launch with Nexus One on January 5th? Ever?

WordPress. Android. Nexus One. Tomorrow, January 5th is the claimed announcement/release of Google’s Nexus One running Android 2.1. It’s been the talk of the town in geekdom for the last several weeks as it’s Snapdragon internals are certainly worth talking about. The first word mentioned at the start seems out of place with “Android” and “Nexus One”, but that’s only because it doesn’t exist yet in mobile Android form. Or does it?

A post today on IntoMobile highlights a link located at android.wordpress.org/ that supposedly leads to the Android support/info page at WordPress.com. This support page would obviously document an Android app of some sort. Only problem is, an Android WordPress app hasn’t been announced yet.

Since the iPhone and BlackBerry platforms already have an official WordPress app, it would only make sense for Android to join in on th e party. I for one am extremely excited seeing as how Gadgetsteria is run off of WordPress. Since picking up my Droid back in November, I’ve been using WPToGo to get all of my mobile blogging/comment moderation done while on the go. It is far from perfect and frustrating at times but there’s no doubt it’s highly useful.

With all of that said, the android.wordpress.org link may cause many to believe that an Android WordPress app is imminent. I can’t blame you. The same link style appeared right before the iPhone and BlackBerry versions went live as well. However, after skimming through the comments at IntoMobile, another blogger by the name of Andrew pointed out that he touched on this whole WordPress/Android love fest back in October at his site ChangingWay. There he highlights how even several months back, the same link was “live”, though still protected, proving something is going on behind the scenes for Android.

Further adding fuel to the speculative fire, in an older video of Sony’s Xperia X10 a WordPress App for Android can clearly be seen in the app drawer (left). Granted it could very well be a place holder and void of any real meaning. I mean, the video in which the screen grab was captured from originates way back from July of ’09. Clearly they’re either having problems with bugs/development or they are developing one hell of an application.

WordPress for Android has to be coming at some point. Do you think Google is lining up a big WordPress app/announcement to accompany the Nexus One announcement or at the very least, use CES as the birthplace? Or are all of these signs mere coincidental?

I for one am crossing my fingers. I’m finding myself spending an increasing amount of time on WPToGo on my Droid. Can WordPress make a functional and worthwhile mobile app for Android?

IntoMobile > BlogHerald

Nexus One pricing leaked! $530 without contract. $180 with 2-year T-Mo deal.

In the market for a new smartphone — an Android smartphone in particular lacking any physical keyboard? If so, the Nexus One has no doubt been on your radar. “THE” Google/Android phone to have. We’ve seen the specs over and over as well as blurry video after blurry video with a few clear ones here and there meticulously detailing the hardware and Android 2.1. Awesome. We already know about all of that. The biggest question, the question of price, has so far been elusive — until now.

In a rush? $180/2-year Tmo plan and $530/unsubsidized.

For those with a few minutes to spare…

Subsidized

• $180: 2-year T-Mo plan required. Specifically the $39.99 Even More + Text + Web plan which comes in at $79.99 when everything is said and done.

• **It’s interesting to note that you must use the plan highlighted above. You cannot receive the Nexus One subsidized and keep any current single line plan. You’ll have to stomach a new plan to get that shiny new phone.

• **Also important, users on Family plans, Flexpay, SmartAccess and KidConnect plans are completely SOL — as in you aren’t eligible for subsidized pricing no matter what you do.

• If you break contract before 120 days pass, you’ll either have to pay the remainder of the subsidy (roughly $350) or return the phone to Google. Think about it folks.

Unsubsidized

• $530: Looking to go it alone? Unsubsidized price will be a couple bucks higher…obviously

Other Stuff

• Up to 5 Nexus Ones can be purchased per Google account

• Buyers can head to Google.com/phone to pick up their new hotness.

So what do you think? With the all the info we already know and this almost certain pricing information now available, does Google even need to hold a press event on the 5th? And if you’re one of many that are sure to be readying their forms of payment, which option are you going with: A 2-year (or at least 121 day) love fest on T-Mobile or a single, dry shaving, unsubsidized approach?

Gizmodo

Official Nexus One specs leaked. “Invite only” retail approach.

Those interested in the Nexus One in even the slightest bit may be happy to know that the official specs have leaked for the masses to gaze upon. Overall, there isn’t much here that we didn’t already know. Still, seeing all the rights stuff laid out before our eyes and confirming the many things we wish for is a sight to say the least.

Still unclear is how many ways we geeks can snag one of the beauts as brick and mortar retail outlets aren’t yet confirmed. Though T-Mobile has been in the cards (and rumors) since the rumors began but a short week or so ago. Even with invite only sales, you can *probably* bet on a T-Mo store selling these at some point in the not too distant future. Stay tuned folks.

Specs below:

Android Central > Engadget

GeeksPhone One packaging seen out and about strutting it’s stuff.

Want the ultimate geek’s phone? Then you have no other choice but to get the…GeeksPhone One. This low volume phone created by geeks for geeks is one of those rare projects by the open source community to bring something to market that is truly designed for picky few by the very people demanding such excellence. We’ve known it’s been coming for some time. With the picture above showing off the packaging, we know it is now closer than ever.

Some may discount the device because of the boring and uninspiring packaging. Such individuals don’t get the point of the GeeksPhone. Packaging means nothing. Absolutely nothing. The only thing that really matters is what’s inside. With that said, the specs are fairly common for your standard Android phone these days. Particular points of interest that stick out to me however are the custom UI, actual GPS chips, and Wolfson DAC meaning above all else, this phone should have some decent sounding audio. It’s certainly got the hardware for it. Can the software deliver?

Unfortunately I dont have the money for such a device at the moment. But, if someone who does would be so kind to flood my inbox with pictures and impressions I’d be more than happy to pass them along to the rest of us.

Lusting for more? Full rundown of specs right inside…