The Mobile research firm Flurry this week estimated that the Nexus One,  failed to have a strong debut, despite all the buzz that surrounded its announcement. The 20,000 week one sales fell far behind Apples iPhone which sold an estimated 1.6 million 3GS handsets in June.  However, Apple’s iPhone handset was a third-generation product selling in eight countries, while the Nexus One was a first-generation handset on sale in just the U.S.

With that said, the Android myTouch 3G and Motorola Droid were also first-generation hadsets with U.S.-only launches, and both had sales much stronger than the Nexus One.  The myTouch 3G sold over 60,000 in its first week, while the Motorola Droid sold over 250,000 units.

Nexus One was outsold three times by the myTouch 3G, 12 times by the Droid, and 80 times by the iPhone 3GS, Flurry noted there are key differences.  The Motorola Droid debuted with a $100 million marketing campaign, and even the myTouch 3G was heavily promoted on television by carrier T-Mobile.  By comparison, Google’s device launched after the holiday season and is marketing and selling the device through its own ‘Monster’ Web site.

Analysis noted that “While Google, avoided channel conflict with T-Mobile, it appears to have set the direct-to-consumer price for the handset at over $500 dollars, the high price combined with the fact that the device is only considered an ‘evolutionary’ improvement over previous Android devices, indicates that Google did not take the neccesary steps to maximize first week sales,”.
“Perhaps one would consider that among the most expensive costs associated with the launch -enough marketing- has not been incurred, and could have been applied to lowering the direct-to-consumer price.”

The Korea Times reports that a source at Korean carrier KT told them about the 4G iPhone.  KT is currently selling the iPhone 3G in Korea.  According to the report the new Apple iPhone 4G would have an OLED (organic light emitting diode) screen and video conferencing (iChat).  And finally a removable battery is supposed to be highly likely.

The report continues to say that the new iPhone 4G in 2010 would have a dual core CPU and a more powerful GPU.  The new iPhone 4G would come in April at the earliest.  It would be a nice surprise if Apple released the new iPhone in April.  A OLED screen is long over-due.  More and more phones have one, like the new Nexus One.

Synaptics, Inc. has just announced that the Nexus One contains one of their ClearPad 2000 capacitive touchscreen sensors.  The touchscreen of the Nexus One is one of the most responsive touchscreens of its kind. 

Tom Tiernan, Synaptics CEO says “Synaptics’ proven touchscreen experience not to mention incredable track record in premier mobile phone design wins reflect our strong portfolio of touchscreen solutions.  As one of the founding member of the Open Handheld Alliance™ (OHA), we look forward to continuing partnerships with other Open Handset Alliance members as we execute on our innovative product roadmap supporting compelling human interface design.”

A big part of any touchscreen’s performance is the processor behind it.  Synaptics is lucky that the Nexus One also packs a 1GHz Qualcomm chip.  Even with a better processor behind it, the Nexus One can’t beat the iPhone in screen quality. The Nexus One did very well in the test, but Apple’s opus is still undefeated.

Qualcomm’s awesome Snapdragon, the most powerful mobile processor, powers many new smartphones like the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 and the Google Nexus will soon see an update in the form of faster versions.  We would be seeing faster, more powerful updates of the Snapdragon processors running at 1.3GHz and 1.5GHz. The current Snapdragon processor has a clocking speed of 1GHz.

Qualcomm’s SVP of product management has confirmed that these should be out there before we celebrate the 2011 New Year.

The 1.3GHZ variant will be called the Snapdragon 8X50A.  This is a 45nm version, of the current 1GHZ processor.  Manufacturers will get to see the chips by the end of January and the first devices run on it should be here by early next year or even in later 2010.

Next in line, the 8X72, the biggie!  This will be a dual core chip with TWO 1.5GHZ cores inside! The 8X72 will be capable of processing full high definition content and the first products based on it should be seen during the time of the CES 2011.

Look familiar or should I say similiar [iPhone]?  It’s the new user interrface for Nexus One, aka Google Phone, store pages. These confirm that “Google will sell it unlocked and unsubsidized for $530, and that Google will sell it by themselves.” Like most smartphones you’ll have to sign a 2-year contract with T-Mobile to get it for $180.

There’s only one rate plan: $39.99 Even More + Text + Web for $79.99 total, [Sound familiar?] Family plans, Flexpay, SmartAccess and KidConnect subscribers must buy the phone unlocked and unsubsidized for $530.

Like all new smartphones released to date, they will sooner or later go through the traditional ‘which is better’ comparison against the god of the smartphone world, the iPhone.  The Apple iPhone has dominated the smartphone/mobile world for years and hasn’t slowed down for any of it’s competition.  Although there are many who dislike the iPhone you’ve got to give it to Apple.  They changed the game in the smartphone world.

Now, Google is getting into the smartphone business with their Nexus One, a smartphone that has been tipped may be a game changer if Google goes the unlocked route and sells the unit themselves.  Can Nexus One take down the iPhone giant and capture the smartphone market for itself?  There have been many who have tried and haven’t come close.  We shall see in the coming months, though I seriously doubt it.