Google will stop selling the Nexus One smartphone online, the company confirmed this weekend.
It launched the smartphone back in January to positive reviews, but the handset was initially only available via Google's web store and sales were considered disappointing.
Andy Rubin, vice president of engineering at Google, said in a blog post: "We launched Nexus One in January with two goals in mind: to introduce a beacon of innovation among Android handsets, and to make it quick and easy for people to buy an Android phone."
"We're very happy with the adoption of Android in general, and the innovation delivered through Nexus One... but, as with every innovation, some parts worked better than others. While the global adoption of the Android platform has exceeded our expectations, the web store has not."
Rubin said early adopters may have favoured the online shopping method but conceded most customers preferred a "hands-on experience" before they bought a phone.
Despite the announcement, it will be some time before Google closes its web store.
It wants to expand its European model of selling through existing retailers such as on Vodafone in the UK to a global scale and, only once these stores are fully stocked, will the online option come to an end.
"Innovation requires constant iteration," concluded Rubin. "We believe that the changes we're announcing today will help get more phones to more people quicker, which is good for the entire Android ecosystem: users, partners and also Google."
