Google stops direct sales of Nexus One

Search giant Google has stopped selling its much hyped Android smartphone, HTC-designed Nexus One from its online store-a device that was launched just six months back to take on Apple's iPhone and RIM's Blackberry.

Although the Nexus One will still be sold by some Google partners in the UK, Italy, South Korea, Australia and a few other countries, it brings an end to the company's dream of bringing Nexus Two in the future.

Google, which expected to sell more devices through its online store www.google.com/phone and in the open market bypassing the carriers, said yesterday that it has stopped selling the devices through its online store.

n a brief note on its online store website, Google said, ''Sorry, folks... The Nexus One is no longer available for purchase directly from Google. For more information on how to purchase the Nexus One, check out our help centre.''

On 6 January 2010, Google unveiled the `Nexus One' smartphone, (See: Google unveils `Nexus One' smartphone), which analysts had said at that time that the smartphone launch had more to do with Google pushing its Android mobile operating software than getting into the mobile handset business since the internet giant has no moorings in hardware sales.

Although Google had said that by selling the Nexus One through its online store it would fundamentally change the way mobile handsets are sold, there were very few takers for it since customers wanted to feel the device and see how it worked before buying it.