From All Things Digital, January 5, 2010:

First, the search giant is bringing out a beautiful, sleek new Android phone, the Nexus One, built to its specifications. Second, it has decided to offer the new phone—and future models—to consumers directly, unlocked, via the Web, and then invite multiple carriers to compete to sell service plans and subsidized versions of the hardware.

Verizon Wireless (VZ) in the U.S. and Vodafone (VOD) in Europe will sell the Nexus One eventually at subsidized prices that haven’t yet been announced. All of this will take place on a Google-hosted Web site, a much easier way to buy a phone and service than is typical today, and one that promises to further weaken the power of the carriers.

The company also plans to sell the costlier, unsubsidized version to consumers in the U.K., Hong Kong and Singapore immediately. Like Americans who buy this unlocked version, these customers will have to purchase carrier service separately, something they should be able to obtain right away by just buying and inserting a SIM card from a carrier with compatible technology. (This initial unlocked phone won’t work with Verizon or Sprint in the U.S., nor on AT&T’s 3G network, only the latter’s slower network.)

I’ve been testing the Nexus One for a couple of weeks...

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Write to Walter S. Mossberg at walt.mossberg@wsj.com

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From The Business Insider, January 5, 2009:

Google's "superphone," the Nexus One, will be available on Verizon Wireless this spring.

You can go to its store right now and order one.

Unlocked, the phone is $529. With a 2 year T-Mobile plan, the phone is $179.

There's no price on the Verizon phone yet. But its distribution through Verizon is especially important because it's a much bigger carrier than T-Mobile, with tens of millions more potential buyers.

To purchase a phone you use your Google login and proceed through the typical steps to pick up the device.

More coverage from The Business Insider.

Live: Google Nexus One launch

From paidContent.org, January 5, 2009:

Apple is expected to ship its well-fabled multimedia tablet in March, after unveiling the device later this month at an event in San Francisco. The latest information was reported by the WSJ, which quotes people who were briefed by Apple. Earlier today, AllThingsD reported that Apple was expected to host an event on Jan. 27 in San Francisco.

The tablet has been a subject of much debate. While it has been well written about by a wide variety of media, it has not yet been confirmed by Apple, which has even stated its disdain for the growing mini-laptop category.

Still, the level of tablet noise is reaching all-new highs. in addition to the timing, the WSJ also dug up a few more new details about the actual device. Based on its sources, which say anything could change at any time, the new tablet device could have a 10- to 11-inch touchscreen and will potentially be made out of two material finishes. Apple is also saying it could redefine the way consumers interact with a content, ranging from textbooks to newspapers. It has also been speculated that a tablet could be at the heart of a new TV subscription service that Apple is working on with major TV stations.

Analysts are guessing that the tablet may cost as much as $1,000, which could include a subscription to a nationwide Wi-Fi wireless service. That would be a bit of a disappointment as consumers have started to rely on always-on wireless internet access from devices, like their iPhone. The Tablet would then remind people more of the iPod Touch, than a truly mobile device, like the iPhone, or even Amazon’s Kindle, which connects without the knowledge of most users.

More coverage from paidContent.org:

Is a tablet at the heart of Apple's upcoming TV subscription?

From paidContent.org, Jan. 4, 2009:

The rumored Apple tablet will cost under $1,000, according to a second hand account given to ex-Google China President and former Apple exec Kaifu Lee. He also hears that Apple will ship 10 million units of the tablet in 2010 and that the device features a 10.1-inch multi-touch screen, 3D technology, a virtual keyboard and video conferencing capabilities.

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From The Business Insider, Dec. 17, 2009:

iPhoneWho?

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion just crushed Street expectations for Q3 -- the quarter ending in November -- and issued strong guidance for Q4. Shares are up 9% after hours.

RIM shipped its 75 millionth BlackBerry during the quarter.

The real test will be December, where RIM will have to increasingly compete with Google Android devices at Verizon. But in general, it looks like RIM is surviving despite increased competition in the smartphone industry.

Key stats:

• Revenue: $3.92 billion vs. $3.78 billion consensus.
• EPS: $1.10 vs. $1.04 consensus.
• Subscriber additions: 4.4 million, vs. 4.1 million RBC est.
• Devices: 10.1 million shipped, including 75 millionth BlackBerry

Guidance:

• Revenue: $4.3 billion midpoint vs. $4.11 billion consensus
• EPS: $1.27 vs. $1.12 consensus
• Subscriber additions: 4.55 million midpoint vs. 4.45 million midpoint RBC est.

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Google and Apple are locked in a battle to become the "platform" upon which most future mobile applications are built.

So far, Apple has a big lead in this market--the integrated software and hardware iPhone dominates third-party mobile apps--but Google's strategy of giving software away for free to handset makers could allow the company to provide some serious competition.  The latter strategy, after all, is the one Microsoft used in the late 80s and early 90s to take share away from Apple, which then, as ever, was building integrated hardware and software devices.

But now Google appears to have changed its strategy, trying to have it both ways.

Over the weekend, Google confirmed that it is producing integrated hardware and software phones.  Specifically, it confirmed that it has distributed an Android-based phone to employees for them to provide feedback, presumably before selling the phone to actual consumers.

Plenty of questions remain...

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But the financial news wasn't all bad in 2009 and we also have a list of top-searched "market darlings," including Facebook, Twitter and the iPhone.

Henry and Aaron discuss these and other top financial search terms of 2009 in the accompanying video

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Retail analyst Howard Davidowitz debuted on our show in February and declared the American consumer is toast, and that the U.S. standard of living is permanently changed. One of Tech Ticker's most popular guests ever, Davidowitz lit up our message boards.

With unemployment at 10.2% -- a 26-year high -- and Americans saving more and spending less, Howard, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, remains bearish on the consumer. But not all retailers are created equal. In a fierce game of survival of the fittest, the most cost-effective, creative and nimble retailers are actually gaining market share in a weakened economy. Among the "gold standard" retail winners:

Kohl's (KSS): A low cost-to-run leader that's able to offer quality merchandise at lower prices.

Dollar Tree (DLTR): With $1 goods, the chain is so profitable new stores operate in the black right out of the gate.

Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY): With competitor Linens N Things out of business, the retailer of home merchandise is gaining strength.

Wal-Mart (WMT): You know the story here. But now the behemoth is putting traditional food retailers out of business, too.

Amazon.com (AMZN): Shares of the online retailer hit an all-time high Monday as consumers turn to online shopping for bargain hunting and price-comparison shopping. Plus with no costs associated with running physicals stores, Amazon can compete with giant Wal-Mart.

And the retail losers? Sales trends so far aren't looking good for the luxury sector such as jewelry stores. While Tiffany's (TIF) recently topped analysts' profit forecasts for the third quarter, some-store sales fell 6%. (Quarterly profits were helped by overseas sales and cost cutting.) Longer term, Tiffany's needs to reassess its revenue model, Davidowitz says.

Other retail executives may not share her optimism (at least not so openly) but Irvine spoke to Tech Ticker after Blue Nile notched the best Thanksgiving weekend in the company's 10-year history. The online diamond and fine jewelry retailer is predicting double-digit growth this holiday season, something few retailers can dare dream about.

I spoke with Irvine earlier today about Blue Nile's prospects for the rest of the year and her perspective on related issues, including:

• The renewed activity among affluent consumers, although even the rich are value conscious these days, she says.
• Blue Nile's special Cyber Monday promotions, including free shipping (today only) and daily specials between now and Dec. 23.
• The growing online presence and potential competitive threat from traditional "brick and mortar" retailers like J.C. Penney, Target and Best Buy.

American shoppers hit the stores and Web sites as expected over the Thanksgiving weekend. But while malls were more crowded, consumers spent less -- sticking instead to their budgets and hunting for deals.

Average spending over the weekend fell to $343.31 a person, from $372.57 a year ago, according to the National Retail Federation, a trade group that reported sales results Sunday afternoon. Total spending was flat at $41.2 billion, while about 195 million consumers shopped, up from 172 million last year.

Sure, Black Friday is just the beginning of the holiday shopping season. But results so far don't signal a V-shaped recovery, as Henry and Aaron discuss here...

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