Google gears up for Nexus One handset launch

Google is about to launch its much anticipated Android handset

Google is widely expected to launch its own Android handset tomorrow, so far known as the Nexus One.

The handset, which is being built by HTC, is a full face touch screen phone, like Apple's iPhone, and early reviews suggest that it is considerably faster than other Android handsets thanks to a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU. It is expected to cost around $500 (£310).

The handset has a 3.7in touch screen and 5-megapixel camera, and is expected to be available with 512MB of ROM, 512MB of RAM and a 4GB microSD card.

Early reports suggest that the Nexus One has a longer battery life than the iPhone, and has a removable battery so that customers can use a spare when travelling.

The device will be the first to run Android 2.1, and will include applications such as Google Maps as standard.

The handset is expected to be sold via the T-Mobile network in the US, and Google is reportedly in negotiations with operators in the UK and Europe.

Google's timing of the launch looks designed to capture the buzz at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which starts officially on Thursday.