Google confirms release of Nexus One handset

The Nexus One uses Android 2.1

As expected, Google has announced its first foray into the smartphone market with the launch of the Nexus One handset.

Google unveiled the handset at an event today at its Mountain View headquarters, saying that the smartphone is part of an ongoing Nexus programme, although the firm declined to say when new models are planned.

"Nexus One is an exemplar of what's possible on mobile devices through Android, when cool apps meet a fast, bright and connected computer that fits in your pocket," said Mario Queiroz, vice president of product management at Google.

"The Nexus One belongs in the emerging class of devices which we call 'superphones'. It's the first in what we expect to be a series of products which we will bring to market with our operator and hardware partners and sell through our online store."

The Nexus One uses a 3.7in OLED screen and 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is 11.5mm thick and weighs less than a standard Swiss Army knife. It also comes with GPS, a 5-megapixel camera with flash, a proximity sensor, an accelerometer and removable storage via MicroSD.

On the software side, Google demonstrated the 3D graphics capability of the phone, which also has built in noise cancelling technology and software to convert speech to text so that messages can be spoken rather than typed on the phone's virtual keyboard.

The handset runs Android 2.1, codenamed Éclair, but Andy Rubin, Google's vice president of engineering, who has led the Nexus project, said that not all handsets currently using the Android will be using the new operating system.

He explained that some handsets are unable to handle the new operating system, in much the same way that his old laptop could not run Windows 7.

In the US the phone will be sold running on the T-Mobile 3G network with a two-year plan for $179 (£110) or without a contract for $579 (£360). A version using Verizon's network is expected this year.

Customers in the UK, Singapore or Hong Kong can also buy an unlocked phone now, but Vodafone will be selling the phone with a data plan in Europe once negotiations are complete.