[34] Updates were issued for the operating system, including the addition of multi-touch abilities in the Android web browser and Google Maps functions.

A class action lawsuit is pending against Google on the matter, as the phone has problems connecting to 3G networks in areas with less than ideal coverage.

As of January 15, 2011, or earlier, all Nexus One's available via Brightstar, Google's worldwide distribution partner for Android development phones, shipped with Super LCD instead of AMOLED.

A voice processor developed by Audience uses a second microphone (on the back) to suppress background noise during phone conversations.

[2] The phone features a 5.0-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash and digital zoom, GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.0, and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi abilities.

[46] There is built in hardware decoding for H.263, H.264 and MPEG-4 video, and can play MP3, AAC+, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, and MIDI audio, and display JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP image formats.

The integrated Media Gallery, developed by Cooliris, provides several new features allowing the user to browse, edit, and share photos and videos on the phone.

Later, an OTA update of Android 2.2 Froyo was released, which introduced a number of highlights:[49] a new Home screen, support for Adobe Flash 10.1, better Microsoft Exchange support, Wi-Fi tethering, SD-card installable applications, cloud to device messaging for two-way push sync functionality and an overall 2-5x performance improvement.

[56] Google has stated it will not update the Nexus One to Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich saying the hardware is “too old”;[57] however, third party ROMs were made.

[61] The Nexus One bootloader can be unlocked and various partitions on the device can be flashed with the fastboot utility which is part of the Android Open Source Project.

Additionally, obtaining root privileges enables a user to override protected operating system features, and install arbitrary software.

David Pogue of The New York Times praised the Nexus One for its "gleaming, attractive features; it’s hard to choose which is more gratifying: the speed — instant, smooth response when you’re opening programs and scrolling – or the huge, 3.7-inch touch screen, which has much finer resolution than the iPhone," however criticized its dictation, multitouch screen gestures, and animated wallpapers.

It's a particularly good one, don't get us wrong – certainly up there with the best of its breed -- but it's not in any way the Earth-shattering, paradigm-skewing device the media and community cheerleaders have built it up to be.

[71] Kent German of CNET praised the Nexus One's display, processor, and voice functions, however criticized the media player and the requirement to store applications on the phone's internal storage.

[72] Goldman Sachs slashed their estimates for sales of the phone in 2010 by 70% due to the half-hearted marketing efforts by carriers.

[74] At this time [citation needed], Google has stopped all support for the phone and customers are directed to contact HTC.

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.