A "Google phone" does not destroy the ecosystem. Google is trying to raise the bar for how Android devices are made. Usually when phones hit carriers, they get piecemeal-ed. Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T has a say in what stays in and what goes out (hardware and software). Google is trying to present a device that would hopefully set a standard for what an Android phone should be. And as others have mentioned this is an HTC phone that Google helped make. A closer tie of software and hardware has worked for Apple -- borrowing from that book is actually a good idea.

"Selling unlocked devices sans carrier is a lousy business model in the States, however."

Google's goal isn't to make money off this phone (not implying they are trying to lose money). Google is promoting their devices and their marketplace by trying to create a more perfect Android experience. Leaving that experience at the hands of carriers or device makers would otherwise hurt their business. Look at Windows Mobile... the experience is inconsistent. I don't think WM is so horrible, it's just not that good and it is super inconsistent.

No one says, "I love windows mobile!" When people consider windows mobile devices they consider them separate devices. I'm not sure how people will eventually think of the Google mobile movement. But right now, we do talk about it in singularity -- the Android. Sure there is The Droid from Verizon, etc, but Google's name is on the line when Android is uttered. So a Google device aka Nexus One only ups their game. To make a more complete device, to provide a more complete experience... on the ANDROID platform.

I think most people here are missing the point. It isn't meant to replace your computer (at least for now).

I don't expect a netbook to replace my computer. I don't expect an iPod touch/iPhone to replace my computer. Think about the OS on the netbook or iPhone. Would you expect it to do all your video/audio/gaming/intensive-use tasks? I wouldn't.

There is a trend though. Why are netbooks and iPhone popular? It's the interface. What you can get to without getting the other crap. It's portability and the leanness. Google Chrome is sort of banking on that trend. As tablets get released next year and people want a simple interface to just get to their "stuff" -- Google Chrome OS will attempt to fill that gap.

I have a desktop (windows) and a notebook (mac). I don't think it's crazy to think I may get a netbook/tablet one day. The first thing I thought about when I saw the Google Chrome OS was dual boot. I would always have this somewhere ready to dual boot in to. If someone wanted to use my computer, I'd boot into Google Chrome for them. If I was traveling (and I didn't want to deal with the virus/privacy issue of using a random computer) I would have Google Chrome on a disk. One more personal use. My grandmother and parents... something no fuss and easy to use would make using the internet more accessible to them (we actually recently had a conversation about a device they might use).

I personally can think of more people an OS like this would help vs. not help. C'mon! i know the geek population is on the rise, but the majority is still far from converted!

But the biggest hurdle I see here is the one everyone else is mentioning... hardware compatibility/support.

Haha, but c'mon people... this will come out late next year? That's a long ways to go with a grip of more rumors and screenshots and speculations to follow. I thought it was a good editorial. Thanks.

Why not respond to wifi claim?

Because wifi isn't a substitute for one's network.
Wifi is spot coverage. They added Wifi coverage BECAUSE their EDGE coverage was so bad.
That's like getting a free dessert after a crappy meal. It doesn't change the fact that you had a crappy meal.

The main issue is I have with AT&T is that they had a chance and they BLEW IT!
When they got the exclusive on the iPhone. I thought -- what a smart move? this will give AT&T a chance to build their network (and play catchup) while retaining/attracting customers.
EPIC FAIL
YES, they attracted customers.
NO, they did not make their network competitive.

iPhone was their bailout. They blew it.
I remember when AT&T used to be ahead of the curve. A company always pushing the limits... Bell Labs? Lucent? Now it is BIG... and a failure... BIG FAILURE!

It's sad. They have become the Los Angeles Clippers of the Mobile Industry.

From Wikipedia: (i wasn't sure what it meant)

Capacitive

A capacitive touchscreen panel is coated with a material, typically indium tin oxide that conducts a continuous electrical current across the sensor. The sensor therefore exhibits a precisely controlled field of stored electrons in both the horizontal and vertical axes - it achieves capacitance. The human body is also an electrical device which has stored electrons and therefore also exhibits capacitance. When the sensor's 'normal' capacitance field (its reference state) is altered by another capacitance field, i.e., someone's finger, electronic circuits located at each corner of the panel measure the resultant 'distortion' in the sine wave characteristics of the reference field and send the information about the event to the controller for mathematical processing. Capacitive sensors can either be touched with a bare finger or with a conductive device being held by a bare hand. Capacitive touchscreens are not affected by outside elements and have high clarity. The Apple iPhone is an example of a product that uses capacitance touchscreen technology.

Capacitive sensors work based on proximity, and do not have to be directly touched to be triggered. In most cases, direct contact to a conductive metal surface does not occur and the conductive sensor is separated from the user's body by an insulating glass or plastic layer. Devices with capacitive buttons intended to be touched by a finger can often be triggered by quickly waving the palm of the hand close to the surface without touching.

pick me pick me... yay!

sorry, test

wishful thinking for a n75!

wishful thinking =)

did i win yet? =P thanks.

would be nice to bluetooth-ified!