Like I said before, until Google releases an iTunes-like sync- and media-management tool, Android can’t really compete with the iPhone – much less the iPod Touch. On top of which, as this reviewer makes clear, the Android apps, aside from a couple of decent core programs, really blow. So, as a phone and web browser, the Nexus One is up to par. But once you dig much deeper than that … meh.

Also, while everybody seems to think it has a good design, I have to say that I think it is extremely boring. There is absolutely nothing about the industrial design of this machine that feels advanced. It is no better, aesthetically, than the Palm Pre, which was first shown about a year ago. The track ball has been universally panned. The lack of a ‘silent’ switch is absurd. But also, the enclosure is pure vanilla; the icons are simplistic and generic. Aside from the obviously terrific screen and the general lack of logos on the shell, physically this phone is highly conservative and a very forgettable effort.