Could the Nexus One rival the iPhone?

The Google Nexus One could be set to shake up the entire smartphone market and emerge as a big rival to the Apple iPhone, an expert has suggested.

Google announced at the start of January that the device is now available through its web store in the US, with network Vodafone bringing it to people in Europe in the near future.

And stock analysis service Trefis recently reported that, following its launch in Europe, the firm could end up selling approximately five million handsets in 2010 alone.

James Atkinson, editor of Mobile magazine, commented that the device may well stir up the whole smartphone market, just like Apple did with its iPhone.

"Who knows with Google?" he said.

"They always have that ability to suddenly change direction and come up with a surprise like the iPhone. You wouldn’t want to bet against Google trying to do something like that," he continued.

However, Mr Atkinson did suggest that the internet giant was only releasing the gadget to try and increase their advertising revenues.

But I have to say I don’t agree with that at all.

While it may boost their profits – which will obviously be one of the firm’s main priorities – I personally reckon the company is far too big to settle for second best.

It wants to be the leader at whatever it does and now could be the time for it to shine in the smartphone market.

What do you think? Could the Nexus One rival the iPhone?