Google announced last week that HTC had shipped out the last batch of Nexus One smartphones, and the phone would reach the end of its lifespan once Google sells the remaining stock.
That day has come and Google has stopped selling the devices, effectively ending their “superphone” experiment.
Google had offered the device for $530 unlocked or $180 with contract through T-Mobile.
Would-be buyers visiting the Nexus One online store are now greeted with this message: “Sorry, folks. The Nexus One is no longer available for purchase directly from Google.”
The Nexus One was supposed to “fundamentally change the way phones are sold,” but it never really did. Buyers were not satisfied with the 360 degree virtual tour of the phone, preferring to feel and actually see the device before purchasing it.
Result for: store
In late June, Microsoft confirmed they were pulling the plug on the Kin One and Kin Two smartphones, after sales fell well below expectations.
Additionally, the Kin phones will not make it to Europe as promised, and the entire Kin team has been moved over to the company’s Windows Phone 7 division.
Today, the devices have seen the last nail in their respective coffins, as Verizon has opted to return all unsold devices to Microsoft, with online and in-store sales suspended as of this weekend.
Although it is still unclear how many Kin devices were sold, but nearly all estimates put units sold between 503 and 9000, an incredibly low number for a device sold on the nation’s most popular network.
Verizon is now only selling some accessories for the phones.
Result for: store
Starbucks says its free Wi-Fi program will go live tomorrow in U.S. and Canadian stores, allowing users to access free Internet from over 7500 shops in the nations.
There are about 6750 U.S. locations and 750 in Canada.
Until now, free Wi-Fi at Starbucks was limited to two hours, and you had to be part of the company’s Rewards program. The new, unlimited offering is simple one-click, removing the need for a username and password.
“Our customers were asking for a simplified Wi-Fi offering, and free Wi-Fi has been a top request on MyStarbucksIdea.com. We’re excited to turn this feedback into action and believe our customers will be delighted with the enhanced experience they’ll find in Starbucks stores,” adds Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.
In the fall, Starbucks will introduce the Starbucks Digital Network, a partnership with Yahoo! that will give consumers “free, unrestricted access to a collection of paid sites and services, exclusive content and previews, free downloads and local community news.”
