After a fairly sluggish initial run, Google’s Nexus One is starting to make big waves. It has been compared to the iPhone, tested against the N900 and other Android devices and is picking up many fans. So much so, in fact, that it is being heralded by some as the future of mobile phones.

So why all the hype? Simply put, the popularity of the N1 has seen a new wave of consumers realise the power of modern smartphones, from VoIP calls to free sat-nav there isn’t much they can’t do. Naturally, being a Google phone it comes pre-loaded with all the Google services you’d expect, Gmail, Google Maps, voice search and so on. Part of this newfound faith in it being the future is precisely such capabilities, not ignoring the fact that if you live somewhere with heavy wifi exposure, such as a modern city, then you could theoretically bypass a data plan and save a nice bundle of money. Alternatively, you can buy it SIM-free, pick up a pay as you go SIM card with an internet add-on and your monthly bill would be just the cost of the internet tariff – provided you don’t send texts or standard phone calls and stick to VoIP and emails.

But is this justified? Well, not really. The N1 is a great phone, from its sleek look to its processor and overall ability, it is something of a marvel. But the truth is, phones have been hooking up to wifi for years which means they had the same potential as the N1 to overthrow the tyranny of the network operators. Google has had its services available to non-Android devices for years too, from Mail to Maps and Search. Apps like Nimbuzz and Fring have made live-chat or internet calls easy and at no cost beyond the internet tariff included in your contract. As far as maps go, it could be argued that Nokia’s Ovi Maps is superior: firstly, it doesn’t require an internet connection as it stores the maps on the phone itself, so no more worrying about losing the signal or even finding one on a cloudy day; secondly, Nokia is providing free turn-by-turn navigation with its map service, which has been added to many of its phones already and is being unrolled in an OTA update for the rest.

So we must view the N1 as we do every other mobile device: fantastic, but with its downsides. The latest high-end smartphones are all very similar to each other now and there is very little point of arguing otherwise. So the N1, like the Milestone, iPhone and N900 all represent the future of mobile technology.

by Rich White