In the wake of our recent Nexus One review, it became obvious that comparisons to other models, including one unmentionable godphone, are raising some ire.
The common view: review the phone for its actual features, not what it lacks! And yet, using the Nexus One does inspire these comparisons – like driving an automobile that is almost astounding and therefore reminds you of what the vehicle lacks.
Could Google somehow create a better phone in the Nexus 2? Yes, and here's how.
1. Fix the accelerometer
We complained about how the Nexus One would not recognise a tilt as quickly as other phones that have an accelerometer. We won't mention the godphone, but even the BlackBerry Storm 2 and the Palm Pre respond faster.
Now, we'll need to explain how the tilt works. Modern smartphones use a micro-electromechanical system that recognises orientation. However, these tiny springs (only about 3 microns in size) which sense movement work directly with software routines.
It's possible the Nexus One has the hardware chops and Android is to blame, since the HTC hero suffers a similar ailment (at least the model we tested). The Nextus (ahem) should recognise tilt faster – rotating the device should cause the keyboard to rotate instantly.
BETTER TILT: The BlackBerry Storm 2 also responds faster to tilt, although still not quite as fast as the unmentionable phone
2. Keyboard sensitivity
OK, the tilt function is the most grievous problem. However, reports of the soft keyboard on the Nexus One have indicated it might have problems as well.
As we mentioned in our review, we did not experience any outright failures. However, the successor needs to address key sensitivity – you do need to sometimes press once or twice to register a key press, and that is just not going to work for our email happy society unless Google re-imagines the Nexus One with a flip-open keyboard. This is one major advantage the Motorola Milestone has over the Nexus.
3. Address some Android deficiencies
We're big fans of the Android OS, especially its portability to other hardware platforms including a recent Acer Aspire netbook that uses Android. There's no question that Android has a loyal following, plenty of apps, and a bright future.
However, there are some headscratchers with this OS, namely that it tends to be overly technical for simple tasks, such as deleting an email. Google, put common functions on the screen where they are obvious, such as Google Maps nav options, email functions for forwarding and deleting (for messages in a list so you do not need to open each one to find these buttons), and a few key camera settings.
Interestingly, the Nexus One could learn some lessons from Nokia, who tends to favour more obvious on-screen functions in the Symbian rather than sub-menus.
EASIER OPTIONS: Nokia phones such as the N97 tend to be less technical with on-screen options and put them right on the screen rather than buried in a menu
4. Add a screen coating
Complaining about screen grime seems like a bit, we know. After all, most smartphones do not use a protective coating like the unmentionable device, and you can always use a screen protector.
The problem is that the Nexus One screen seems to attract grease and grime, and if the successor used a protective coating, we would not need to use a screen protector. It's a minor complaint, but one that still fits our vehicle comparison where you just can't help but notice the grime.
5. Storage for app downloads
One perplexing problem with the Nexus One is that you can only download apps to a storage allocation of about 190MB. That fills up quickly with games and business utilities, not to mention media apps.
We asked Google about this one and it would not go on record to explain why this is the allotment or how it will fix the problem, but the Nexus One supports flash cards up to 32GB, so we think the successor will address this problem and free up more space for downloads.
Your comments (9) Click to add a new comment
nitrofan
February 21st 2010
9. @nicolasmerritt
Typical Journalist! Denounces criticism of shoddy work as anger.
Remember without an audience YOU don't work! You would do well not to dismiss customers as fools so readily.
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chickenwing
February 19th 2010
8. I just want to say what a pointless article.
You can easily make a much less trivial list than this for any phone, especially the one you are calling a "godphone".
Like someone has already pointed out, it is the first generation. Of course google are going to make improvements to it and any successor.
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nicolasmerritt
February 19th 2010
7. @nitrofan
Such anger! Relax. Apple don't do freebies. And we wouldn't accept them, even if they did.
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d4lien
February 19th 2010
6. I pretty much feel that everything on this planet could be improved. And I do mean everything. Which is why as a species we have done so over our time on the planet and are still doing so. So the fact that imprvements are being noticed by people is good lets just hope Google see it that way too.
But what really gets me is people moaning about things and basically yelling across the school playground "Mines better than yours!"...
Use what suits you, if that's an iPhone or WinMo or Android then do it. But please stop yelling at everyone else that yours is better.
You know what one day it wont because all hardware and software vendors technologies go up and down in quality and innovation.
For me I reckon next month I will give up my G1 for a Storm 2 essentially because I do not feel the need to be stuck to brand and shout it from the rooftops like others.
Don't get me wrong, I wish open source would take over. I also wish the entire world became a Utopia for us all but it isn't going to happen.
Instead we have to live in a world where marketing brainwashes people and shiney sufraces distract them even further.
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jbrandonbb
February 18th 2010
5. Ray, let me just respond to your points here.
1)I have not noticed this, but this is hardware specific, so if you had a problem with it, fine.
By hardware specific I think you mean -- it is a problem with the Nexus One.
2)There are better keyboard options out there anyway. And that stock keyboard is on EVERY Android device, not just the N1. Try Swype (the best) or BetterCut for a different keyboard. Not to mention the whole speech-to-text thing that is going to eventually make keyboards a thing of the past. This is definitely not an N1 specific issue.
But as the leading Android phone, it is something that needs to be fixed. You can't really say "all Android phones have this problem so the Nexus gets a free pass".
3)Once again, not a Nexus One issue. Learn to long press or hit the menu button. That is the way the OS works. If you have a problem with that, then your beef is with the OS and not the phone.
But the OS is what drives the phone -- your logic here is like saying "every Windows computer has a problem with BSOD so I can live with it on my HP".
4)I agree with this one. This was a slight over sight. Although I'll take cleaning my screen over putting a big case (thus ruining the slim sexy form factor) on it to keep the back from getting easily scratched up and looking like garbage like the "godphone".
5)Google has already said this fix is coming. Once again this is NOT a Nexus One issue but an Android issue. Further, they have said it will be implemented, they just need to finish the code that encrypts things properly when they are stored on the SD card...do your homework.
By "homework" I assume you mean "overlook a problem because the company said they are working on the fix" right?
6)I turn the haptic feedback off. That is what I have eyes for. Plus I speak many of my commands/text input. But yet again, this is an Android OS thing and not a fault with the N1.
I disagree with you here. For starters, not every Android phone has haptics. And haptics is implemented in hardware by how the phone senses a button press and buzzes.
7)This isn't Google's vision, so arguing this point seems silly to me. Either way, this is no reason to bash the hardware itself. This does not make the phone operate any better or worse.
But it is Google's vision. The platform is set up as a "see it on the Web, buy it, use it" at least in the US. They want to make the phone as simple to buy as a fruit basket. And hardware is tied to carrier, that is a reality of smartphones today. All the iPhone haters are in some sense bashing the idea that the hardware is tied to a carrier and they can't break current contract.
8)I totally agree, but YET AGAIN, this has NOTHING to do with the Nexus One and everything to do with Android. I agree this should get done, and I believe it will eventually, but to put down the N1 for this reason is silly. This is a problem with the OS, not the phone.
Once again, excusing this as an Android problem does not follow good logic. A good example: e-books. Why do we say the Kindle is a better reader than the Sony? (By "we" I mean "me" of course.) Because you can buy books over the air. That idea makes the hardware look better.
9)I use g and n. a is a waste of time in my opinion. I thought the N1 was actually suppose to support n, and I am unsure if it didn't or if it is the OS itself that doesnt have the support built in yet. Either way the phone has WiFi and this seems awfully nitpicky...almost like you needed another worthless "point" to make a nice round ten.
This is actually a huge issue, esp. since at the time I wrote the piece the specs were still wrong. (They have since been fixed.) Tossing around "A" and "N" is not trivial -- what if someone saw that and said, now is the time to upgrade to a dual-band or N router?
10)You push a button to mount the phone, otherwise it charges automatically. I prefer it work this way. Usually I hook my phone up for a quick shot of juice. However, in the event I am copying something over, all I do is click the mount button and it is done. Super nitpicky yet again.
I disagree -- for the average smartphone user, having to mount a phone is a flashback to the stone age.
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nitrofan
February 18th 2010
4. "GodPhone" are you for real are you trying to tell us your articles are now censored to avoid upsetting Apple and their blind faith Zeds?
What exactly are you afraid of? Is it that if you tell the truth the freebies from Apple will stop?
The iPhone is an OK unit but it hardly qualifies for the title "Godphone" and a reverence usually reserved for Maffia Dons.
the Nexus is still trying to fulfil its initial promise it’s a good unit and of course it can do with improving but lets not forget the iPhone is currently in its third or fourth incarnation! So anyone with any intelligence will realise that it is less likely to have as many issues but to not dare to mention its short comings is plain stupid.
Grow up or lose what little credibility you still possess, or the brighter ones amongst us will go elsewhere.
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raykinstl
February 17th 2010
3. Is this article for real? It calls out the Nexus One, yet most of the issues mentioned are nowhere near specific to the phone. I own a Nexus One and will respond...
1)I have not noticed this, but this is hardware specific, so if you had a problem with it, fine.
2)There are better keyboard options out there anyway. And that stock keyboard is on EVERY Android device, not just the N1. Try Swype (the best) or BetterCut for a different keyboard. Not to mention the whole speech-to-text thing that is going to eventually make keyboards a thing of the past. This is definitely not an N1 specific issue.
3)Once again, not a Nexus One issue. Learn to long press or hit the menu button. That is the way the OS works. If you have a problem with that, then your beef is with the OS and not the phone.
4)I agree with this one. This was a slight over sight. Although I'll take cleaning my screen over putting a big case (thus ruining the slim sexy form factor) on it to keep the back from getting easily scratched up and looking like garbage like the "godphone".
5)Google has already said this fix is coming. Once again this is NOT a Nexus One issue but an Android issue. Further, they have said it will be implemented, they just need to finish the code that encrypts things properly when they are stored on the SD card...do your homework.
6)I turn the haptic feedback off. That is what I have eyes for. Plus I speak many of my commands/text input. But yet again, this is an Android OS thing and not a fault with the N1.
7)This isn't Google's vision, so arguing this point seems silly to me. Either way, this is no reason to bash the hardware itself. This does not make the phone operate any better or worse.
8)I totally agree, but YET AGAIN, this has NOTHING to do with the Nexus One and everything to do with Android. I agree this should get done, and I believe it will eventually, but to put down the N1 for this reason is silly. This is a problem with the OS, not the phone.
9)I use g and n. a is a waste of time in my opinion. I thought the N1 was actually suppose to support n, and I am unsure if it didn't or if it is the OS itself that doesnt have the support built in yet. Either way the phone has WiFi and this seems awfully nitpicky...almost like you needed another worthless "point" to make a nice round ten.
10)You push a button to mount the phone, otherwise it charges automatically. I prefer it work this way. Usually I hook my phone up for a quick shot of juice. However, in the event I am copying something over, all I do is click the mount button and it is done. Super nitpicky yet again.
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tom65536
February 17th 2010
2. I think that this article is a response to the nasty criticisms we wrote on the review of the nexus phone, effectively justifying the poor review the nexus phone got by focusing on everything that is wrong with it. It's true all these things could improve the nexus phone and make it even better but it doesn't justify why techradar rates the iphone as better than the nexus phone.
For a geek like me, the ability to upgrade the memory, install game console emulators, install modifications without invalidating the warranty, choose which browser i want, choose which music player I want, use voice control etc etc far outweighs the dis-advantages outlined here.
I can't help thinking that this phone is at least as good as the iphone, especially for geeks.
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lewchenko
February 16th 2010
1. Good list. Most of those apply to the HTC Hero as well. Im fed up of the Hero's keyboard onscreen (lack of sensitivity). Recently tried a friend's iPhone.. much better.
Also know exactly what you mean about the rotational delay.. highly annoying.
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