Google accepts final shipment of Nexus One smartphones

SMARTPHONE UPSTART Google announced that it took delivery of the final shipment of Nexus One devices last week.

Launched in January, the Nexus One was the device that brought Google's Linux based Android operating system into the public eye. Despite the largely positive press it received at launch, Google's direct sales strategy ensured that the Nexus One never sold to its potential.

The company had announced previously that it would be pulling out of selling the device directly, though didn't give a timeframe. It looks like once it sells out of the phones, the only way to get your hands on one will be through Vodafone in the UK. As the Nexus One represents the only surefire way to get the latest version of Android, which is vital for developers, Google said it will be holding back units and flogging them to developers.

Although the Nexus One never fulfilled its sales potential, it still remains one of the best smartphones on the market. Google has repeatedly ensured that the Nexus One receives updates to the Android operating system first, and its insistence to use it as the developer's reference device should secure the availability of future software updates.

So as Google bids farewell to the device that kick-started interest in Android, we salute the Nexus One for showing the world what can be done with an open source mobile operating system. µ