MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google unveiled its own mobile phone Tuesday, putting the Nexus One with about 20 other mobile devices that already run on Android, the mobile operating system that Google introduced in 2007. Google designed the touch-screen phone in partnership with Taiwan’s HTC, which made the first Android-powered phone and will manufacture this one too.
Google will handle all sales online and has no plans to let consumers check out the Nexus One in retail stores. While it takes only incremental steps beyond what’s already possible on hand-held devices, its standard price tag of $529 may lessen its appeal.
But it does escalate the budding rivalry with Apple, which has sold more than 30 million iPhones in 2 1/2 years. Apple said Tuesday it will buy mobile advertising service Quattro Wireless to counter Google’s planned $750 million acquisition of Quattro rival AdMob. The Associated Press
