Today, Google officially announced their first Google-Branded phone, the Nexus One. It’s really a remarkably well-designed phone, and the first Android handset to do away with a hardware keyboard, entirely.

What I think is most interesting is that Google intends to release many phones on their new http://www.google.com/phone/ site. And, while the phone is sold unlocked, T-Mobile is the only US GSM carrier you can get a subsidized phone from (though Verizon, apparently, will have a CDMA version “coming soon”).

Looking forward to seeing this develop. Google controlling the hardware and software, and making the “definitive” Android device is the closest thing to an iPhone competitor there is, yet. I love the hardware design, and it’s tempting to sign up for a contract with T-Mobile, now, just to get one. I just keep thinking about that UI, and that keeps my credit card firmly in my walllet.