It’s official: Google’s Nexus One is on the wa

It’s official: Google is now in the cell phone business. The company announced the release of the Nexus One, which was completely designed by its own engineers, and will help it gain traction in online advertising.

I’m not sure how the Nexus One stacks up to the iPhone, but there’s no doubt it is a game-changer for the wireless industry. Those who purchase the phone can buy an unlocked version that can be used with any carrier. Of course, that will be pricey, since the initial price will be $529. For those who are a bit more frugal, there is also an option of signing up for a 2 year agreement with T-Mobile and paying just $179.

I don’t see myself paying more than $500 for a phone, but a trend toward unlocked phones is certainly a positive for consumers. As for Google, this is definitely a big step for the company. Do you remember when they were just a search engine?