Linux’s Linus loves the Nexus One

Google’s Nexus One smartphone is a “winner,” according to the founder of Linux.

Linus Torvalds raved about the new mobile device on his blog, even though he admits to loathing phones.

“[Phones] are irritating and disturb you as you work or read or whatever,” he posted, “and a cellphone to me is just an opportunity to be irritated wherever you are.”

However, the Nexus One won his praise.

“What a difference!” he added. “I no longer feel like I'm dragging a phone with me 'just in case' I would need to get in touch with somebody - now I'm having a useful (and admittedly pretty good-looking) gadget instead.”

The actual phone function itself was of little importance to Torvalds but the multi-touch screen, GPS and Google Navigation were winning factors. Of course, the Linux operating system that the Nexus One runs helped out too.

“I love the concept of having a phone that runs Linux, and I've had a number of them over the years (in addition to the G1, I had one of the early China-only Motorola Linux phones),” Torvalds added.

The handset still doesn’t have an official launch date with a provider over in the UK yet, but today Play.com is listing the SIM-free version of the phone as available from 16 February for £599.

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