Nexus One loses Verizon Wireless, Vodafone launch on for April 30

Google Inc.’s Nexus One smartphone lost a carrier partner before it even had a chance to launch as this morning Google announced that Verizon Wireless would not be carrying the Android-powered device.

In an update on its Nexus One site, Google noted that customers interested in acquiring the Nexus One should instead go to Verizon Wireless’ Web site and pre-order the recently announced HTC Corp. Droid Incredible. (HTC also makes the Nexus One.)

The Incredible sports the same Android 2.1 operating systems as the Nexus One, but one-ups it in many of its features, including a more powerful camera. When the Nexus One was originally announced earlier this year, the device was initially available domestically at T-Mobile USA Inc., though Google said it would also make a CDMA version available for Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. for launch this spring. Now it appears the Verizon Wireless model is off, while the Sprint Nextel version is up in the air.

Verizon Wireless’ parent company Vodafone Group plc is still on with its plans to launch the Nexus One in a handful of international markets and according to Google will start selling the device on April 30 to its customers in the United Kingdom. The device is then set to expand to France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Spain.

The Nexus One has been a controversial device for Google as any device makers that have thrown their support behind the Android operating system see the device as a competitor to their own offerings. Analysts have noted that the Nexus One is merely a way for Google to make sure that a device sporting the latest iteration of its Android OS is available in the market.