14 DAY TRIAL // At the beginning of the ongoing year, Internet giant Google launched the first device powered by the Android 2.1 operating system, the Nexus One by HTC, and proposed a new marketing approach, by selling the handset via its own web store, and not by carriers or other retail channels. However, it seems that the idea was not the most fortunate one, and the company announced plans to change the manner in which it sells the phone, making it available in stores and halting the online sales.
“We launched Nexus One in January with two goals in mind: to introduce a beacon of innovation among Android handsets, and to make it quick and easy for people to buy an Android phone. […] While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not. It’s remained a niche channel for early adopters, but it’s clear that many customers like a hands-on experience before buying a phone, and they also want a wide range of service plans to chose from,” a recent post on the Official Google Blog states.
Since the web store didn't prove such a great idea, the company says that it plans on making the device available in more markets the same way it made it available in Europe via Vodafone. According to Google, Nexus One will be put on sale in additional countries via existing retail channels, and the company is already working with partners to make this happen as soon as possible. Moreover, it seems that the same model will soon be adopted in the United States and globally.
Moreover, as soon as the Nexus One becomes available in stores, the online sales via Google's web store will be halted. Even so, the online store will remain open, but only to showcase more Android-based mobile phones that are available all around the world. “Innovation requires constant iteration. We believe that the changes we're announcing today will help get more phones to more people quicker, which is good for the entire Android ecosystem: users, partners and also Google,” the blog post concludes.