Google wants to tie up Nexus One with telcos, plan to cease online sales

Google has announced on its blog that it will revamp the way they sell the Nexus One.  As of now,  Nexus One is generally offered online on Google’s website to 4 countries, namely UK, USA, HK and Singapore. Retail wise, it is only available in very selected operators.

We’ve tried the Google Nexus One ourselves and we admit that it is one of the better Android phones out there. However getting a Nexus One isn’t as easy as other Android offerings from Motorola, Sony Ericsson and HTC. The difference here is obviously due to lack of sales channels to distribute Nexus One especially on the retail front.

Therefore Google is looking into increasing its retail awareness by working with more telcos to bundle the device. This in return for consumers would make it more affordable with contracted telco subsidies. Plus, telcos have more muscle to promote phones together with their plans. Verizon Wireless and Sprint in the US and more recently our local telcos Maxis & DiGi too have been active in promoting Android devices.

Being available in retail also helps in customer decision making too. Most shoppers would prefer to feel and test the device themselves before deciding to buy a Nexus One. Google is aware of this and they mentioned that once Nexus One is widely available in stores, the online space would be used primarily for product demos.

Google needs to push for more awareness and availability for Nexus One globally and working alone is gonna be tough. If they want to go big in the handset market internationally, they have to work with respective telcos worldwide similar to iPhone strategy. Now this opens up possibility for our local telco boys to bring Nexus One to our shores.