Do you really think google is losing money selling this phone at the lowest price of $329? How much do you think it cost to make this phone? tons in developing the phone.. maybe. They most likely bought the phone design from someone like HTC (im sure someone know on here) and then it costs maybe $40 if that to make each phone..
Well it definitely costs more than $40 to make each phone. I'm sure the parts alone add up to well more than that. The processor, memory, display, etc. Plus the labor to make it and then get it shipped here.
But the costs for testing, designing, passing the fcc, etc all has to be divided across the devices sold. And don't forget all of the marketing they paid for in display advertising on seemingly every website once the device was released.
I think they probably broke even on it. But profit was not their goal. Their goal was 1) Show other manufacturers how to build a better Android phone. 2) Promote the Android operating system. 3) Try to establish a more european way of selling phones in America (that was a flop.)
Now, they definitely lose money when people only pay $180 and they don't even collect the $150 ERF. That I'm sure of. But out of how many that they sold, how many people actually did that method? Probably not many.
The days of Nexus One sales are apparently almost over per what engadget reported yesterday. They received their final shipment and once they're out, the online store will be closing.
So if you've been on the fence about doing this, now is the time...