Look out Phone Manufacturers - Google is coming

Technology giant Google has announced the launch of its own "superphone" - the Nexus One, which can be purchased by internet marketing consultants and other parties through the company’s new hosted web store.

Google's vice-president of product management Mario Queiroz noted in a post on the official search engine blog that this handset is "an examplar of what's possible on mobile devices through Android".

He went on to say that the Nexus One comes with a 3.7 inch screen that allows for excellent colour display with contrast and has a voice-activated keyboard, 3D photo options and inbuilt Google applications, such as Maps Navigation, Google Voice and Gmail.

This development, Mr Queiroz added, is the first in a series of moves that will see new products brought onto the market and sold through the internet-based shop.

Those who are interested in purchasing the device will be able to do so with or without operator service and, in the near future, further networks will be made available, such as Vodafone in Europe and Verizon Wireless in the US.

According to Brand Republic, the phone will be on sale initially in Hong Kong, Singapore and the US but will come to the UK later in the year, costing $179 (£111) on a contract or £529 on its own.