Google's Nexus One bait-and-switch game ($550 Termination Fee!!!)

[Renew Deal]

The spiffy Nexus One "superphone" was supposed to be the beginning of the end for business models that chained great devices to crummy carriers. But Google's sky-high termination fees, carrier lock-in, and nearly nonexistent technical support prove that it's no better than AT&T.

We probably shouldn't be surprised. When the Android device was unveiled last week, it was quickly apparent that anyone who bought the device was, for all practical purposes, chained to T-Mobile and its relatively limited network. Making matters worse,it is now clear that Google and T-Mobile are going to impose the industry's largest early termination fee -- a stunning (combined) $550 -- on anyone who cancels in less than four months.

If all that weren't bad enough, users are finding that technical support is practically nonexistent. You can't walk in to a T-Mobile store and get help because T-Mobile doesn't sell the phone. Google does -- T-Mobile is just the carrier. And Google only offers e-mail support. Good luck with that.

So users can buy a "superphone" that works on only one crummy network and has scandalously inadequate tech support. And if they don't like it, they can eat a huge termination fee. Superphone? Superscam is more like it.
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http://www.infoworld.com/t/smartphones/googles-nexus-one-bait-and-switch-game-635

[ipfilter]

1. That's only if you buy the phone at the subsidized price

of $180 and sign up for the two year contract. I could buy one at the full retail price of $530, drop in my sim card, and never worry about an ETF. My current T-Mobile plan has no contract but I have to provide my own phones and I'm totally ok with that.

[ima_sinnic]

2. I'll stick with my stone age landline w/unlimited long distance + voice mail for $39/mo

$39/mo also includes 3-way calling and call forwarding

1-time cost of phone: $30
cost to terminate: $0
number of "networks" accessed: all/infinite
number of gadgets to keep track of: 0

but I know I'm an old weirdo who likes to keep things basic and simple