There’s absolutely no doubt that there are plenty of reviews, opinions and updates inundating the ‘net regarding Google’s latest flagship Android device, the Nexus One.  Don’t think the deluge of updates will be stopping anytime soon.  Android’s a hot topic for anyone looking for the newest smartphone.  Opinions on the device itself — and even the Android platform — are always going to differ.  Some people may not like a purely touchscreen interface (so maybe a rumored “Enterprise” Nexus One with a hardware keyboard will appeal to that group), some people may even personally prefer a specific software solution that they’ve grown accustomed to using (iPhone OS, Windows Mobile, etc).  Yes, some people will certainly make their final decision based on their wireless carrier and the coverage they receive.

With all of the press and differing opinions out there a lot of people are,  rightly so, very interested in the Nexus One.  Is it the device for you?  Well, if you are planning to pick up a Nexus One, or any Android device, and expect to use it for both business and personal use,  you may want to to think twice.  Why?  If your company uses Microsoft Exchange for corporate Outlook email & appointments, then Android still isn’t a fully cooked solution.

Let me start by saying I’m not “anti” Android or Nexus One, at all.  After reading initial reviews that were so-so, I wasn’t completely “sold” on trying out the device. Then I read Thomas’s initial impressions, and the next thing I knew I’d placed my order.  Now that I have been using it for a few days, let me jump right into it to say that there is so much to like about the device that it’s hard not to want to love it. The AMOLED touchscreen display is simply beautiful.  The Nexus One is also a straight-up great looking, dare I say (I will!),  sexy device.  So much so that I am  seriously considering starting a side business to “pimp out” the phone and charge a moderate fee every time someone asks to use or touch the Nexus One.

The Qualcomm 1 GHz processor simply cooks on the Nexus One. Even though I’m currently using an unlocked device with an AT&T SIM (meaning I can only get EDGE data speed on Ma Bell’s network, whereas I could get “full” 3G using T-Mobile), I have zero complaints. Surfing on the Nexus One has been anything but cumbersome.  Your mileage will certainly vary, depending on the network coverage in your specific area. Plus, you can certainly use it with a WiFi network, or even a MiFi, if needed.

Then there’s the integration with Google’s services.  Miss Google Voice on your iPhone?  It’s right there on the Nexus One, begging you to use it.  No extra applications required.  Enter your Google Voice login credentials and Bam! you’re done.  One number to rule them all, indeed.  Gmail?  No problem.  Navigation?  Oh yeah, now we’re talking.   Throw your standalone GPS unit out the window.  Google’s navigation feature is outstanding.  Using it on the Nexus One makes it that much better.  The AMOLED display explodes with rich colors and tones, and the turn-by-turn navigation features look great — well, as great as directions can possibly look.

Then there’s Voice input. Google’s done an extremely good job implementing voice control into Android 2.1.  As Thomas previously hit on in his review, voice recognition is built into every text-entry field.  While not absolutely perfect (the feature will work as good as Google Voice’s service that transcribes a voice message to text and then sends it to you via SMS or e-mail), it’s definitely something that — especially if it is ported to other mobile platforms –  could put other Voice-to-Text application providers, like Vlingo or Dragon, out in the cold.

When Dan returns from his latest trip, he’ll likely have a Nexus One waiting for him ready to be put through all the paces.  It will be very interesting to get Dan’s take on the voice integration on the Nexus One — especially compared to Dragon Dictation on his iPhone.

OK, so that’s the Good.  The gushing is over.  Now onto what keeps the Nexus One, and Android in general, from being a star in the enterprise…

[image courtesy of IntoMobile]

If I were to use it simply for personal use — meaning everything I needed was in the “Google Cloud,”  there’s no denying that the Nexus One (and, really, any Android device) could fit the bill and be the total package.  Unfortunately, I’m one of those users. You know the kind I’m talking about.  The unhip, buttoned-down business user. Yep, cat’s out of the bag.  When I use a mobile device it has to meet both business and personal needs.  That, I’m very sorry to say, is where things begin to fall apart.

You see, most large companies don’t use Google for corporate messaging.  They don’t use Google for their employee calendars.  They don’t use Google for their company contact listing or address book.  Large companies tend to use Microsoft Exchange for all of those needs (forget Android altogether if your company uses Lotus Domino for messaging).

I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking, but you CAN EASILY set up your Exchange e-mail and contacts to sync to an Android device! You know what?  You’re right!  You CAN easily set up your e-mail and your contacts on the Nexus One.  But.  Not.  Your.  Calendar.

Strike One.

What?   Evidently, in the world of Google there’s no need for a business user using an Andoid 2.1 device to view their non-Google appointments, accept meeting invites and schedule changes, or schedule impromptu appointments on their phone.  Sorry folks, but if you are using your smartphone for work that is kind of a big deal.

So, what can you do?  Well, one suggested workaround is to sync your Outlook calendar to a Google calendar.  Will companies who have meetings with vendors, or appointments to discuss product rollouts or anything that could possibly be considered corporate intellectual property be syncing their employee calendar to Google?  Um, not likely.

Yes, I do realize there are third-party software solutions for Android — namely Touchdown — that will let you sync and manage your Exchange calendar.  Here’s the thing:  why should you need to pay $20 for a 3rd party application to do something you can do out of the box on practically any other mobile platform?  Not only are you having to purchase the device, the voice and data services, but then you have to purchase software to give you what is — in my personal opinion — basic features that are a standard expectation among business users.

Now, let’s talk about email.  I hate to belabor the point, but most companies do not use Gmail for their email needs either.  Again, many companies use Microsoft Exchange.  Now, go ahead and blast Microsoft and talk about the big guy evil corporation; but fact is fact.  We can all wax poetic about how we wish we didn’t use Microsoft products in the work place and pine over Google (who, by the way, is a corporate behemoth themselves and hardly the little guy in this scenario), but large companies do use Microsoft — especially Exchange.  That’s not changing anytime soon.

Back to the email side of things.  Setting up your company Exchange email account is easy. Unfortunately, even with Android 2.1, it’s not a stable solution.  Remember way back when we posted on an issue that cropped up quite a bit with DROID users in the enterprise?  They would be fine for days, sometimes weeks, then all of a sudden their Exchange email accounts would stop syncing altogether.  Get that urgent email about a service outage?  Nope.  Get the boss’s message about needing you to attend a meeting in his place?  Oops, Didn’t Get That One Either.

Strike Two.

[image courtesy of Indika]

In this economy, one thing you don’t need to worry about is whether that pricey smartphone you just purchased will or will not receive email.  Sure, wireless carrier can have service issues and  RIM’s BlackBerry solution has their own outages to worry about.  But neither of those scenarios point to be an inherent flaw in the device’s underlying operating system.

Again, if you don’t use or have a need for Exchange or corporate email, go Google and get an Android phone.  If you already have a Nexus One or DROID, and you’re an enterprise user needing your company messages and calendar on your device…well, unless you plan on waiting on a possible fix in a future Android release (or unless you’re gonna return your phone), you better get to forking over $20 and install Touchdown asap.

Make no mistake, there is a great deal of interest by business users wanting to go with Android and pick up a Droid or Nexus One.  What about a “Strike Three?” you may ask.  Well, we’re cautiously hopeful that these issues are addressed in the next Android release..so there is no “Strike Three” — yet. Android’s not totally out of the picture.But, until Android has stable Exchange email and calendar sync out of the box, don’t count on showing off your shiny new Nexus One at the next status meeting.

Updates:  More on the Nexus One’s missing Exchange Calendar sync (astute DROID users will note that Android 2.0 does  have an option available to sync a corporate calendar).   Additionally, what may continue to drive enterprise users away is a lack of enforcing a device PIN (you can do this using Touchdown, but not control via Exchange) or a remote device wipe if the smartphone is lost or stolen.  So, I guess those can be Strikes 3 and  4!  Yikes….hopefully Google will address these in a forthcoming Android release so business users can jump on the Android train full speed.