Google's Nexus One Android Phone For Realtors & Real Estate?

Today, Jan 5th, Google released the much anticipated Google Nexus One Android Phone.  Made to compete with the iPhone, the google phone is a strong contender.  Its operating system, Android, a google product has already been on the market for a while now, so we know its tried and true.  But the question you and I both have (obviously, since your reading this) is.... How is the Google Nexus One Phone (or Google Phone) for a Realtor or for a real estate business.  Below, I will go over a few key features that should help you decide.  Also, remember, that we are here to help you, should you decide to make the switch to this device or any other device....We are Real Estate Technology Experts!

• E-Mail - Of course the phone has email...what smartphone doesn't.  However The Google Nexus One has a feature non-android devices don't.  A filing system.  A filing system for both on the phone and on the computer.  If you are familiar with gmail, then you know about labels.  Labels are basically folders you make in your email.  Say you get an email from a client, you apply a LABEL to it and it goes to its specific folder.  On the Nexus One, this feature is very easy to find and use, simply click on the email, and apply the label.  The great thing about this feature (other than keeping you organized) is the fact that when you get home to your computer, and open gmail or outlook (if configured for imap) you will see all your emails properly in their right folders-labels.   If you organize them on your computer, expect them to be organized on your phone as well (take that blackberry and iPhone...and I use a blackberry)
  
  
• Web - If you haven't browsed a website on a modern smartphone..please do.  Its amazing. Check out our website www.defpc.net - it works perfectly.  It is just like browsing on your computer and the Nexus one doesn't fail you.  Browsing the web, viewing youtube, or opening pdfs or other files, over the web work great... realtor.com, remax among others work, or will be working in the near future. 
  
  
• Maps & Street View - If you haven't used google maps or used street view in your real estate business, you don't know what your missing!  Available for the computer and on most smartphones  http://maps.google.com  This is probably one of the best mapping programs available.  When researching properties with clients, pin point the house of interest, show them how quick it takes to get to work or the freeway, show where the nearest schools, parks, parking, grocery stores, retail, etc. is in relation to where the house is.  Its such a time saver for real estate (oh and it also does point to point directions as well).  However, one other feature thats fairly new, is Street View.  It allows you to virtually "drive or walk" the streets in 360 degrees.  You can see the house from street view, the neighbors, walk down the block to the park or school, virtually.  You can see how well the neighborhood looks and much more.  These features are all available on the Google Nexus One, and the fact that its Google software--running on Google software, you know it will run seamlessly.
  
  
• Voicemail - One of my favorite features on my Blackberry is visual voicemail, it lets me see all of my voicemails on one screen and play any message I want, instead of listening to a list of them in order.  Well the Google Nexus One goes a step beyond with "VOICE"  It's basically visual voicemail  but it is literally VISUAL.  It transcribes the voicemail to text, as well as letting you listen to the voicemail.  How handy is that!  I can't tell you how many times I've replayed a message so that I could write down details.
  
  
• Apps - Currently there are over 10,000 Apps available for Android devices and the number is growing daily.  You will definitely find some tools on here to help enhance your real estate business.  Just google "real estate apps android"
  
  
• Battery Life - The battery on the Nexus One quite frankily amazed me.  On a 2G network it has 10 hours of talk time, on a 3G network it has 7 hours of talk time, 250-290 hours of standby time, and 7 hours of watching videos and 20 hours of listening to music.   The blackberry in comparison has a great battery, but I would love to see you get 7-10 hours of talk time out of it!  This is a feature probably most needed for Realtors!
  
  
• The list goes on - I could go on and on about the features and apps, but you really have to make a decision yourself about whether this is the best phone for you.  I defintely think it is a good choice if you are looking to upgrade your smartphone or cell phone.  It will help you run your real estate business so much more smoothly.  The list above is basically, the key features that stick out to me.  However click the link below to check out the phone yourself.
• **Note,  It is GSM phone currently and works on T-Mobile, or you can get an unlocked one for AT&T - but it only works on EDGE not the faster 3G.  HOWEVER,  No later than spring, will the CDMA version for Verizon come out! Which means, you will want to hold on for a little longer - but hey!  at least the bugs will be worked out by then.   Thanks to John Juarez with Windermere Properties, for bringing up this point**

Take a look and play with the phone yourself, on its website http://www.google.com/phone. 

Remember, we are are here for you! 90% of DEF PC Services clientele are real estate agents and brokerages.  You don't have to be in Maryland, DC or Virginia to benefit from our services.   Call or email today to see how we can enhance your real estate business!