Nexus One – Google's worst nightmare?

According to an estimate by analytics firm Flurry, Google has managed to sell only around 20,000 units of Nexus One in the first week of launch. Now that's a poor sales figure for a handset that's being touted as a 'superphone,' especially since Motorola Droid has sold over 250,000 units in its first week and iPhone 3GS, which Nexus One was supposed to beat, has sold over a million units within the first 72 hours of its launch.

In other words, Nexus One, despite getting the 'superphone' tag, certainly did not notch any 'super' sale.

But it's not surprising because unlike Droid and iPhone whose launch was preceded and supported by multi-million dollar ad and marketing blitz, Google's Nexus One launch event seemed subdued and procedural. Also Google's not investing much into any real advertising or promotion of Nexus One. All Google did is make a webpage (www.google.com/phone) where consumers can order the device.

But marketing aside, there could be other reasons why Nexus One has not fared as well as expected.

But it's not surprising because unlike Droid and iPhone whose launch was preceded and supported by multi-million dollar ad and marketing blitz, Google's Nexus One launch event seemed subdued and procedural. Also Google's not investing much into any real advertising or promotion of Nexus One. All Google did is make a webpage (www.google.com/phone) where consumers can order the device.

But marketing aside, there could be other reasons why Nexus One has not fared as well as expected.

For instance, many people are complaining that lack of a dedicated customer-service phone line by Google, HTC (maker of Nexus One) or T-Mobile (the only wireless carrier for Nexus One which offers a plan at the moment) has generated tremendous confusion among prospective buyers. Also not many people are keen on purchasing the $529.99 (about £330 plus shipping costs) phone off the web, without getting a good look and feel at the real thing.

Also, many people, who are on T-Mobile's existing plans, are left confused whether they are eligible for an upgrade to Nexus One. Especially those on T-Mobile's family plan have been left high and dry and wondering whether they are eligible for any discounted price on Nexus One. And, when asked to clarify eligibility rules, Google passed the buck to T-Mobile, which tried to wash its hands off by saying that pricing questions are best addressed by Google as it is marketing and selling the device.

And, that's not all. Some Nexus One users have also complained that their handsets are having problems connecting (or staying connected) to 3G network. More specifically, users claim that the phone will switch back and forth between 3G and the slower EDGE data in 3G saturated areas. The more unlucky users are reporting no 3G connectivity at all.Till now, neither T-Mobile nor Google is certain what's causing this problem but it's being hoped that an over-the-air systems update or a simple software fix can solve the problem. However, if the problem is of a more serious nature i.e. relating to a hardware issue, it'll be covered by Nexus One warranty.