Google Nexus One may turn out to be a one-off [Updated: Confirmed]

When the Google+Nexus+One&sa=Search&siteurl=www.pocketables.com/” target=”_blank”>Google Nexus One

was first announced marking the company's first foray into the smartphone world from a hardware standpoint, it was a surprising, unexpected move that caused a whirlwind of excitement the weekend it was first unveiled and raised many questions regarding Google's intentions for the device. Since then, it has been assumed that the N1 would be the first fixture in an eventual range of Google branded Android devices, with rumors that Motorola was next in line to create the "Nexus Two," a device since revealed to be the new Motorola Droid X.

New comments made to the Telegraph newspaper in the UK by Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, indicate that the company will not be following up the N1 with a successor:

"The idea a year and a half ago was to do the Nexus One to try to move the phone platform hardware business forward. It clearly did. It was so successful, we didn’t have to do a second one. We would view that as positive but people criticized us heavily for that. I called up the board and said: ‘Ok, it worked. Congratulations – we’re stopping’."

With this latest comment, it looks like the Nexus One may only be a one-off device, with Google returning to focus on the software side and relying on its hardware partners to continue carrying the Android smartphone torch. There is speculation that Google has decided to step away from the hardware game due to the N1's fairly low sales in comparison to other major competitors (including other Android phones like the Droid). On the other hand, it's possible that Google's foray into the hardware side was always meant to be short-term, as a way to inspire and provide a direction to manufacturing partners to create the kind of Android smartphones that the company wanted to be available on the market.

From this perspective, the Nexus One has definitely been a resounding success, inspiring a whole array of exciting new devices following in its wake, from the nearly identical HTC Desire to the exciting HTC EVO 4G and Motorola Droid X. What are your opinions of Google's Android hardware plans? Has the Nexus One been a success? And should Google consider a Nexus Two?

Update 20/07/2010: Google have just confirmed that the latest shipment of Nexus One smartphones will be the final batch that will be sold unlocked through its online store before it closes as announced earlier this year. But, the device should continue to be available through retail partners in certain countries, such as Vodafone in Europe and KT in Korea for the time being. Google will also continue to make the device directly available for registered developers through the Android Market Publisher site. As for everyone else, if you've been considering getting an N1, don't miss your last chance!

[unwired view via Ubergizmo]