The gPhone is finally a reality!

Okay, so we'll have to call it by its actual name -- Nexus One -- but it's the first Android-powered smartphone directly sold and marketed by Google (Nasdaq: GOOG).

The first wave of reviews has been generally favorable. However, Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) and Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM) have already cornered this market on the consumer and corporate sides, respectively.

That won't stop Google from trying. It was actually promoting the phone on the typically barren landing page of its popular search engine the day it was introduced. Business-school case studies will ultimately chronicle whether Google blundered by waiting too long to enter the market, or found creative ways to swipe market share from its two behemoth rivals. 

Briefly in the news
Now let's take a quick look at some of the other stories that shaped our week:

  • The Institute for Supply Management issued a favorable report on Monday, suggesting a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) jumped on the report, issuing upgrades in the steel and plastics industries.
  • Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) agreed to begin offering Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) DVDs to its subscribers four weeks after they hit the market, in exchange for more copies at lower prices. Netflix will also be able to stream more licensed content from the Warner Bros. studio. It's probably the first of many similar deals.

Until next week, I remain,
Rick Munarriz