Comments on: Google: Recruiting Volunteers to Provide Nexus Support with Free Phones

By: A Reason Not to Move to Canada? | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:01:23 +0000

[...] The other benefit (?) is that I occasionally receive unsolicited gifts in the mail. Google sent me very cool Nexus Phone and a coffee mug. Once I even got a box of 40 count potatoes (the source of all potato jokes… [...]

By: Nexus One: The Second Coming but Not An iPhone Killer – Part 1 | Understanding Google Maps & Local Search

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:01:48 +0000

[...] Matt McGee’s Most Important Developments in Local Search for 2009Jimmy (4 comments) on Google: Recruiting Volunteers to Provide Nexus Support with Free PhonesNexus One: The Second Coming but Not An iPhone Killer – Part 1 | Understanding Google Maps [...]

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 23:15:42 +0000

Its a bit like relying on an open source software community to run a business or for support, very risky at best

By: @hartzz

@hartzz — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:27:09 +0000

Interesting observation – a bit like IKEA getting us to do the assembly for them for free.
Just came across this UK mobile service provider, GiffGaff, which offers cheap “pay-as-you-go” rates for unlocked phones based on “people-power” encouraging users to do the support and marketing in return for the low-cost rates. http://giffgaff.com/index/summary

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:55:56 +0000

@Ksenia

Earl knows better than most that Google has no phone number….but he keeps dialing it anyways. His real hope (as I think he wants to change careers) is to become host of this new “reality” show. He will say that David Mihm is cuter than he, and perhaps a better choice for this spot but secretly we all know that he craves this high profile spotlight.

Google’s is taking a very fragmented approach to support…when you go the support page, they offer up HTC’s phone number for hardware problems…

Given the complexity of the device & Apple’s tremendous success, I really don’t think that Google thinks that this is the phone to dethrone the iPhone. But if they can be compared to the iPhone their chance of gaining market share by providing other carriers at least viable alternatives (this stealing Palm, Rim & Pre sales) it is a win for both the carrier and Google.

By: Ksenia coffman

Ksenia coffman — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:29:55 +0000

@ Earlpearl

Were you serious when you said “simultaneously while calling Google customer service” – no phone number for Google support exists!

If it did it would probably be 1-800-GET-LOST

That said, it’s an interesting approach by Google of “croudsourcing” the support for NexusOne. But it does not quite work if there are HW issues or order problems, which volunteers cannot solve.

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:50:41 +0000

Me, again, Mike.
My latest post challenges you to figure out how to leave a review via the Maps icon built into the phone:

http://www.solaswebdesign.net/wordpress/?p=724

I couldn’t find a way to do this. Can you?

By: MiriamEllis

MiriamEllis — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:55:55 +0000

Woo hoo! You got your phone. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this, Mike, and can’t wait until you start writing about it. I spent time last night exploring how to use the built-in Maps and was really starting to get the hang of it. Neat features I want to write about! Congratulations on getting your phone!
Miriam

By: Morning Search Digest: January 22, 2010 | Andy McIlwain @ andymci.com

Morning Search Digest: January 22, 2010 | Andy McIlwain @ andymci.com — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:51:14 +0000

[...] Google gives out free Nexus One phones to top support forum contributors. [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:55:09 +0000

@EarlPearl

The quote that made me think of the similarities was this: “We don’t look any different than Google,” he said. “We can begin to look at eliminating central offices, call centers and garages.” That implies to me that is more than just the network that makes them look like Google but the changing support structure

Great idea for a reality show…

You should be the host.