Google's first consumer phone has arrived.

You've probably read all the exhaustive coverage of Google's Nexus One phone over the last month. The Android-based device emerged at a company holiday party and has been the talk of the smartphone industry ever since. Google has now unveiled the Nexus One and announced a plan to sell it directly to consumers.

It offers an inside designed by Google and an outside designed by HTC. In a typical Google marketing twist, the Nexus One is dubbed a "super phone" where the Web meets the cell phone. The handset will be available first for GSM carriers like T-Mobile, but a Verizon version will follow.

More deets from various sources including the official Nexus One page:

• It sports a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, a 3.7-inch Active Matrix OLED screen, a 5-megapixel still/video camera with flash, dual microphones, stereo Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, GPS and 802.11n WiFi. The display has an 800x400-pixel resolution; video is captured at resolutions up to 720x480 pixels.

• The phone weighs about 4.6 oz, with its replaceable battery (yes, replaceable!). It's 2.3 inches wide, 4.7 inches long, and .45 inches thick.

• Battery life is estimated at up to 290 hours standby and 10 hours talk time. Internet use is up to 5 hours on 3G and 6.5 hours on WiFi.

WHY THIS WON'T BE AN IPHONE KILLER (AT LEAST NOT YET)

Until a company gives away phones or at least prices them under $100, it will be tough to get them into the masses' hands. Most all smartphones are priced under $200 but a two-year commitment to a wireless provider is mandated.

I like Google's initial thinking of selling an unlocked version. This means you can buy the device outright and then use it on your preferred cell service (provided it is GSM, as of now, which limits U.S. options to AT&T and T-Mobile).

It's your now for $529. Ouch, that price kills me. There is also a model on sale for $179 with that T-Mobile service contract. But as I stated above a version for Verizon Wireless is set to be released at some point.

As soon as you get one make sure to send me your thoughts or call in to my show with your reviews.