Sprint Not Going to Sell Google’s Nexus One, Either
“Nexus One is a powerful device that belongs on a powerful network. This is another step in our continued partnership of innovation with Google.”
— Sprint VP of product development Fared Adib, March 17, 2010
So much for Google’s plans to bring its Android hero phone, the Nexus One, to all four major U.S. carriers. Earlier this year, Verizon bailed on the device, and now Sprint has as well.
Like Verizon (VZ), which dumped the Nexus One in favor of the Droid Incredible, Sprint (S) too is abandoning it for a device it claims is superior: the EVO 4G. Said a spokesperson for the carrier: “We are not bringing in Nexus One as EVO 4G is more robust in 3G markets and amazing in the growing number of 4G areas.”
Quite a turnabout given the “Hey, we’re getting the Google phone, too” announcement the company put out, oh…about two months ago.
Evidently, Google’s plan to disrupt the carrier-dominated mobile phone market by providing a single “superphone” that works on any U.S. wireless network isn’t quite working out the way it had hoped.
Question now is, will Google (GOOG) circle back and try again with another smartphone? Or will it reconsider it’s commitment to the hardware business entirely in light of the Nexus One’s declining carrier support, slow sales and customer support issues?