Google on Saturday announced that its internal developers are using a new Android-powered phone that many Web sites have dubbed “Nexus One” from its Internet browser identification string, but which many reports say is a variant of HTC’s HD2 phone.

The nearly hysterical frothing about the “Google Phone” overlooks a whole bunch of existing facts. The T-Mobile G1, after all, was a phone whose software was dictated by Google; it was a “Google Phone.” Google has already sold two phones online, unlocked, to developers – the Android Dev Phone 1 (a G1 clone) and the Google Ion (also known as the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.)

The Motorola Droid/Milestone had its software specced out by Google as well. You can buy that phone unlocked in Europe, as most phones are available without carrier locks in Europe.

Will Google sell an updated developer device that may be called the “Nexus One?” Sure, I can see that, but it wouldn’t be a massive consumer play, and it wouldn’t “disrupt” the wireless industry. (Courtesy : pcmag.com)