It's not every day that you see smartphone nerdery atop some of the nation's biggest newspapers. But darting through the airport this morning, we found the Google Nexus One stripped across USA Today; as a hotbox on the Wall Street Journal, referring to Uncle Walt's review (shut up!); and as the centerpiece of the San Francisco Chronicle (natch, seeing as how the "Google Versus Apple" battle is in its backyard).

Say what you will about newspapers (and I can say plenty), but it's good to see the old establishment giving some smartphone love. How about you guys? Find the N1 in your hometown rag?

Wall Street Journal | USA Today | San Francisco Chronicle (images via Newseum.org)

Ah, the iPhone. For better or worse, the iPhone has become the starting point for many consumers looking to buy a smartphone. In a sense, it's become the standard for everyone to measure themselves against. Because of its position at the forefront of consumer's minds and the fact that it's in everyone's pocket, that's completely fair. But because of Apple's sometimes senseless decisions in dealing with all things iPhone, it leaves the rest of us a little uneasy.

Regardless, the iPhone is undoubtedly a cultural phenomenon and has been ever since it was released in 2007. Apple kicked down the door with the original iPhone, upped the ante with the iPhone 3G, and is continuing to count each and every dollar with the iPhone 3GS. To call it anything but successful is to not give it fair credit; the momentum it continues to hold is simply amazing.

So yes, the iPhone is ridiculously successful but don't think it's all peaches, ponies, and paradise--the iPhone platform is far from perfect. There are issues and shortcomings with the iPhone. Oh yes there are. We'll take a look at everything in the full review below!

Hit the jump to see the iPhone reviewed from an Android Perspective!

Not impressed with the regular sized Nexus One? Take a look at this giant sized version. Ooh..big glass. Yeah, now that's a 'superphone' for you. Since the Nexus One won't actually be available in stores, we're wondering where this gigantic demo unit is headed. Will it join the Giant Android Robot and friends? Who knows, but if Google wants to drop it off at the Android Central HQ, we'll find somewhere to put it.

Check out the gigantic sized Nexus One in a video after the jump!

[via searchengineland]

From the Forums is a great way for you, our readers, to see the hottest topics being discussed. But you must be a registered member and becoming a member is a simple process. So if you have not already already done so, head on over and register now!

• Beautiful Widgets has made its return to the market. Improved are such things as the ability to change that clock font.
• Check out our new Samsung Moment FAQ for a bunch of general information along with issues and resolutions.
• There has been a lot of hype lately surrounding the Sony Ericcson Xperia X10 but the big question remains - flop or not? Voice your opinion in this poll thread!
• Much has been said about the Moto Droid hardware keyboard. Either way, voice your opinion in this thread and let us know how it's treating you: How is your Droid keyboard experience?

See you on the forums!

Good news and bad news for those of you on Rogers with either the HTC Dream or Magic. You've already been told you're not getting an upgrade from Android 1.5, and that's not changing. (That's the bad news.)

The good news: Magic owners will see Android 2.1 later this year. As for Dream owners, well, you'll be getting an exciting new update that's still not anything other than Android 1.5. (OK, that's bad news, too. Sorry, we tried.)

Here's some of what Rogers had to say:

First, we will be implementing an update for the 1.5 OS to both the HTC Dream and HTC Magic in the upcoming weeks. These will offer a number of benefits for these devices, including bringing the HTC Sense experience to the HTC Magic, although the OS version will remain 1.5.

By mid-year, HTC will issue an upgrade to Android 2.1, including the highly acclaimed HTC Sense experience for the HTC Magic.

However, due to certain limitations on the HTC Dream, the software path for the HTC Dream will not be developed beyond the next Android 1.5 update. While we regret not being able to offer the same updates to both devices, by bringing this upgrade to the HTC Magic, we are delivering the best solution possible given the situation at hand.

We know that's not going to make you folks feel any better, but some update is better than no update, we guess. Complete statement after the break.

We've seen how the cost of the Google Nexus One stacks up against, well, itself. But  how does the Nexus One and its official T-Mobile plan stack up against the iPhone 3GS (AT&T), Palm Pre (Sprint) and its Android cousin, the Motorola Droid (Verizon)?

See the bottom line after the break, brought to you by BillShrink, which does the math so you (and we) don't have to. [via TechCrunch]

You read that right. Just as quickly as Google debuted the Nexus One, we see Adobe release a nicely produced (read: Made well in advance) demo showing the Flash 10.1 beta running on the phone. How, having a Snapdragon will solve a whole bunch of your processing problems. And it looks like things are moving along OK here. But still unknown: Battery life, and just how stable this will be in the long run. Still a lot of ifs, but nice to see things are moving along. Watch the video after the break. (Thanks to everyone who sent this in!)

Samsung today announced the Galaxy Spica, an Android 1.5 phone we've seen in Europe, will make its U.S. debut at CES this week. The specs:

• HSDPA (900/2100); EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
• 800MHZ Qualcomm processor
• Android 1.5
• 3.2-inch HVGA (320x480) touchscreen
• 3MP camera with autofocus
• Bluetooth 2.1
• WiFi b/g
• 180MB ROM
• DivX support
• 1500 mAh battery

Kinda ho-hum, especially without U.S. 3G, but definitely worth a look-see.

So how much is the Nexus One really going to cost you? If you're buying unlocked, it's a simple $530. If you're a current T-Mobile customer, it gets a little cloudy. Here's the official breakdown:

• Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for new customers: $179
• Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for qualifying existing T-Mobile customers who are adding data plans: $279
• Nexus One with new, 2-year T-Mobile US service plan for qualifying existing T-Mobile customers who are upgrading their data plans: $379

Not quite so cut and dry, huh? (Thanks, Pneumatic)

Still not crazy about an unsubsidized phone, though? Below is an interesting 24-month breakdown between the Nexus One with the T-Mobile plan that comes along with a subsidized phone. Here you plainly see that if you buy an unlocked phone and go with a T-Mobile data-only plan (39.99/month), unlimited Skype calls to mobiles and landlines ($2.95/month) and a SkypeIn number ($30/year), you still come out ahead over the two years. In fact, you're ahead of the game in Month 11. Read the full findings at nosugrefneb (via Lifehacker)

A good number of you likely will be buying the Google Nexus One unlocked for use on AT&T's network. Obviously, you'll be missing out on 3G. And some of you have asked about plans and the like. We reached out to AT&T for its official position on unlocked phones, and here's the response:

“Wireless is a fiercely competitive industry, and we aren’t at all surprised that others are responding to our leadership in smartphones. Twice as many smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other carrier. We have always allowed customers to bring any unlocked GSM-compatible device for activation on our network under a pricing plan. However, if a device has not been certified for use on the AT&T network, we can’t guarantee their performance and the customer is responsible for handling any device-related issues that may arise.”

We'll go ahead and say it so you don't have to. AT&T has plenty of problems supporting at least one phone that has been certified for use on its network. So, it's not like your Nexus One (or any other unlocked phone, for that matter) will wither and die if you use it on AT&T. Just don't go asking them for help.

Have more questions about the Nexus One? Check out our FAQ, and see what's going on in the Nexus One forums.