Nexus One Vs. iPhone

A newer rivalry is shaping up in the mobile market: Google vs. Apple. These companies are waging battle for smartphone supremacy with the Nexus One pitted against the iPhone.

The Nexus One sold 20,000 sets on its Jan. 5, 2010 release date. By contrast, the iPhone 3GS sold 1.6 million – a clear win for Apple. So what distinguishes them apart, if any.

Nexus One
Runs on the open source Android platform. Improving each time.

Camera
The camera on the Nexus One boasts 5-megapixels with a flash whereas the iPhone has a 3.2-megapixel camera and no flash. This has been a great feature for Nexus One, and the smartphone also allows you to control the flash, white balance, color effect, geolocation, picture size, image quality, and focus.

Compatibility with AT&T’s Network
While simply speculation for the moment, there are reports that Nexus One will be available on other 3G networks other than T-mobile by this spring. This could give Google the push they need to get more people buying their product. With AT&T customers able to choose between the two phones, it’s hard to say who will come out the winner.

Multi-touch
A big complaint for Android users in general is the lack of multi-touch capabilities. Google has announced that, “multi-touch support is part of the Android 2.0 framework and that its integrated support on the Browser, gallery, and Maps applications will be part of the next Android update.”

iPhone
iPhone 4G is on the way. With Apple being tight-lipped about new features, there are rumors of what might be in the offing.

Upgraded Camera
The upgrade is said to be a 5-megapixel camera with a LED flash. Apple might be stepping up to the plate against the Nexus One’s already 5-megapixel camera. No rumors yet on the editing and settings capability for the camera.

Forward Facing Camera
In addition to the camera that is located on the back of the phone, the 4th generation iPhone may possibly have a forward facing camera as well. This could be used for anyone who would like to use the phone for video conferencing. This could be useful for business owners who already have phone systems in place, but might need an associate to conference in who is out in the field.

Graphics
CoreGraphics to PDF API and USB Host support or expand current Bluetooth support.

Different modes
An “event-based mode” that “automatically adapts to different locations and life events and reconfigure it’s settings – e.g. switch the sound off and turn on voicemail when calendar shows that you are in the meeting.” This could be a great benefit for those who use their iPhone for business purposes.

Conclusion
Right now the iPhone has a big lead on Android, but continued dominance is far from assured. According to a study from Android and Me, sales for Android phones could outsell the iPhone earlier than the popular 2012 prediction. It reports, “In December, iPhone OS accounted for 46% of requests while Android jumped to 36%. Based on the current trend, we could see Android overtake iPhone as early as Q2 2010.”

Who will win this smartphone showdown remains to be seen, but with Google and Apple vying to trump one another users will benefit.In the end what will remain is that there be better smartphones for all of us.