Google has updated their Nexus One page, and the news for Verizon customers patiently awaiting their chance to own Google"s phone is, well, disappointing. On the pricing page, where we"re used to seeing a T-mobile option and a tantalizing "coming soon" message from Verizon, Google has opted for this:
"For Verizon"s network, you can buy the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful Android phone and similarly feature-packed cousin of the Nexus One."
Similarly, in the Google Nexus One announcement blog, right after the news of Vodafone UK"s release of the phone, Google makes the same statement about Verizon:
"In the US, if you’ve been waiting for the Nexus One for Verizon Wireless’ network, head over to https://phones.verizonwireless.com/htc/incredible to pre-order the Droid Incredible by HTC, a powerful new Android phone and a cousin of the Nexus One that is similarly feature-packed."
According to our own sources at Google, Verizon actually has a few CDMA Nexus one devices on hand for testing. The problem, which many who follow Verizon know, their testing is a long process that often causes delays to public releases. Sometimes this is seen publicly where Sprint is able to launch the same device well before Verizon does, even though the hardware is identical. Verizon was expected to support the Nexus One, it is not known if they would sell the device directly or support such devices sold directly from Google (much like Sprint announced in their press release). But, because the testing took much longer than expected, the initial late March launch that Neowin reported got pushed back.
Because of this delay, the HTC Incredible appeared on the stage. When this happened, Verizon suddenly had two high end devices without keyboards that both ran Android. Did Verizon really need two phones competing for the same customers? They couldn’t price the Nexus One low enough or else they would face the possibility of cannibalizing the Droid Eris sales and placing it into the same price bracket as the Incredible would result in lack luster sales; not to mention customer confusion over which phone to purchase.
So what do we have? The Nexus one hasn’t been officially ruled out on Verizon (according to our sources) but every day that goes by that it is not on sale means the likelihood of its impending offering is greatly reduced. Jumping to conclusions may be premature at this point, but when a company goes ahead and recommends that you purchase their phone from a different manufacturer, it"s not likely they"re going to be releasing their phone to you.
Verizon was due to announce their Nexus One plans last month but after the device passed FCC inspection, Verizon pulled out of the announcement due to the testing delays. If you"re holding out for the Nexus One on Verizon then now might be a good time to plan for the HTC Incredible.
Neowin Editor Brad Sams contributed to this report.