Google Had to Know About T-Mobile and AT&T

[Mapex]

We all know how Google only sells their Nexus devices on T-Mobile, although they tried to make a carrier-neutral device last year for the N1 to mimic what everyone else do outside of America. The first Android was also on T-Mobile. There is a lot of evidence that Google prefers T-Mobile to all of the other US carriers because the telecom company seems to be much more consumer-oriented than big blue/red.

Well, we've known about this Nexus S 4G for a while and of course the device had to have been already in production for many months prior to the leak. On paper, Google seems to have pulled an Apple - create a version of a many month-old device for another carrier.

However, I highly doubt that is it - why not build a Nexus S 4G LTE for Verizon (and MetroPCS/AT&T down the line) instead?

It is very telling that Google knew well in advance about the AT&T-Mobile (see what I did there?) deal and decided to jump ship from its former ally to the next best consumer-oriented option, the last one in America.

What does this mean for us? It may mean that all Nexuses will be released only on Sprint from now on. It almost definitely means that Google will be pushing hard as hell to ensure Sprint stays competitive in a land dominated by two very old school, draconian telecom behemoths.

I hope my Sprint friends enjoy their Nexus devices from now on, but I hope your network also stands strong amidst the turmoil that will ensue when this terrible buyout happens. Sprint is most likely either going to turn into Big Yellow or get bought up by another company if this deal is successful, but I still have a little hope that Sprint will be able to expand their coverage and move to LTE efficiently such that it forces Big Blue and Big Red to change the way they operate.

 

[god_trentonj]

I disagree. I doubt Google knew. Att or Tmobile wouldn't disclose this to them... why would they? Even the previous Nexus phone was slated for an all carrier release.... they had models for Sprint and Verizion that were announced as well although Tmobile did get it first and ATT offered it as well. The carriers are the ones who decided to not go with the first Nexus. Sprint went with the Evo and cancelled the Nexus One (which was a good choice for them) and Verizion went with the Droid Incredible instead.

The carriers are the one that are deciding which phones to pick up. I don't think Google really cares which picks up their phones, so long as the carriers don't put any bloat ware on the phone.

You can check out the info about Google's Nexus One here: Nexus One - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[wcdove24]

I agree that they may not have known about AT&T's and T-Mobiles merge, but I think that Google does see Sprint as a valuable company. This hasn't been the only Sprint/Google news. They have also earlier today merge the efforts of Google Voice and your Sprint number. This not only allows you to have a company with the cheapest rates on an unlimited plan, but you can also port your number for free and make even cheaper international calls. With this partnership, Sprint as the possibility of actually becoming the largest seller of the Android Platform. I don't think this will be the last of the Google/Sprint partnership that seems to be in the work.

 

[spectator52]

hopefully this will enable sprint to become "the" premier android carrier.

 

[jnl813]

Sprint is becoming the Google carrier this is good news for me and us!!

 

[BlackHawkA4]

Sprint is becoming the Google carrier this is good news for me and us!!

My thought exaclty. I'm very happy with the partnership with sprint and Google as of late. Adopt the fastest growing OS as your #1 phones and what do you get: exactly.

My favorite part is the Google voice. Being able to have my sprint number ring my comouter. Genius. Especially when my house is a dead zone for every carrier.

 

[TuxDotKing]

I was thinking the exact same thing when I heard about the Nexus S 4G. Congrats Sprint people. Black_man_x says that Verizon will be getting a 'better' stock Android device... But any phone can have stock Android on it. It doesn't make it a Nexus.

Looking forward to welcoming you guys to the Nexus S community, and wishing that Google will throw us people stuck with Big Red (rural area and all that) a Nexus device next time around.

 

[tomy2001]

It will be a good idea if Google invests in Sprint. Let's face it right now Sprint Network can not compete with VZN. Sprint needs a good investor such us Google with a lot of money $. You see the opportunity is right now get the now network in good shape( excellent signal, excellent costumer service great phones). Today is the opportunity Sprint was waiting for because a lot of people will be leaving t.mobile (att soon). Because of their outrageous prices. These people won't go to Verizon. They will go to Sprint. It will good to see "Sprint now with Google"

 

[krische]

It goes along with the grand theory that Google is going to try and buy/take over Sprint to be an ISP. Google has already shown interest by doing their fiber-optic service for Kansas City. And not surprisingly, Sprint is a big Internet backbone provider. Sprint also has some decent wireless spectrum (old Nextel network) that could be used for an all data wireless network.