Would you like to get the Google/HTC Nexus One Superphone for a cool $49?

What if I also threw in the unlocked version of the phone?

Now what if I also said you don't need to sign a two year contract?

And no - it's not stolen. Perfectly legit!

How is this possible? Let's do some math ...

In the days preceding the release of the Google Nexus One (a.k.a. The long awaited gPhone), the talk of the web was that Google was going to break down some sort of Berlin Wall in the way the phone was sold. Whereas most phones are sold by the wireless carriers in conjunction with a 2 Year jail sentence and are locked to that carrier, Google was (and did) sell the phone both direct to customers, unlocked to a carrier, and without the need to put handcuffs on.

Q. But did it really accomplish that result?

A. Sort of.

Q. Did it shake things up and change the way wireless phones are (and will be) sold?

A. Hopefully, but probably not.

Q. Did the company that pledges to "Do No Evil" really free customers from the tyranny of the wireless carrier oligopoly?

A. Doesn't seem that way.

Let's take a look at Google's cell phone math and see how things really turned out ...