When Google [GOOG] launched the Nexus One back in January, the company took a unique path to selling the smartphone. Instead of selling it through the various networks, Google decided to create their own online store at google.com/phone where you could pick up a handset and theoretically choose the network you wanted your phone to be on although not many networks actually accepted it.
This method led to a low amount of sales which probably came due to the lack of marketing that Google did vs what the networks would do if they could sell the phone direct.
We now hear direct from Google that they are now going to be selling the Nexus One through the carriers retail channels…
as with every innovation, some parts worked better than others. While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not. It’s remained a niche channel for early adopters, but it’s clear that many customers like a hands-on experience before buying a phone, and they also want a wide range of service plans to chose from.
More retail availability. As we make Nexus One available in more countries we’ll follow the same model we’ve adopted in Europe, where we’re working with partners to offer Nexus One to consumers through existing retail channels. We’ll shift to a similar model globally.
Google will be still using their online store, but rather than being specifically for their own phone, the company will showcase a variety of Android based phones with details of where to pick them up globally.
Via: Google
What I have learnt from this is that “Personal touch still matters!”. Even in this high tech world nothing can replace the need of touch, see and feel anything before buying. Surely I buy books online directly without even looking at it in the store. But for things like clothes everybody would really like to feel and see how it looks on him. For all electronics, nobody would love to buy anything before playing with it at a store.