I was surprised when my blog was blitzed last weekend with Google Nexus1 ads. That’s their new smart phone for anyone that doesn’t know. I’ve tweeted two links recently that basically sums up where I am. One on UI here and the second on Touch Screen capabilities. So… like any good web surfer I clicked on the link.
Let’s just assume you want this phone. You click “get your phone”. This is the screen you get. I missed the demo the first time (the click an icon for a demo of each app). When I went back… it doesn’t seem to stop!. Everything is hidden. Take a 3d tour etc. this page is just poor web design. Then I went to the get this phone button.
Inspires confidence doesn’t it. Was there anywhere to learn about the product? Well yes there was… but I only saw that on the second go. What if I have questions? There is no back button, there is no more links to info. Just which carrier approach. Should I have known it all already? There’s not even a link to Android and why it is better as an operating system. I could go on… re how to fix it… what I’d really expect and how and what Google has to begin doing to win in this space. This site and approach is just poor in terms of user experience and design. So do something simple. Assume you landed on the iPhone page directly. There’s a difference and feels like a purchase will be more rewarding.
I really don’t understand. Is Google not putting some real marketing dollars behind it? Or maybe they just haven’t cracked marketing for this product. Or their “minimalist” look needs a better interpretation.
Then I believe the problem is actually bigger. Google shouldn’t be in handsets and should be acting like “Windows” and “Intel” in this regard re Android. Nexus1 may be the best Google Android phone. It also just “rubbished” Motorola’s offerings and perhaps some of the other manufacturers. I can’t see an AndroidWorld anywhere. In fact the community in general is under-developed and marketed to.
Seems David has been on similar themes.
