Early purchasers of Google’s new Nexus One smartphone are complaining of insufficient customer support, reports the BBC. Launched last week, the device is available SIM-free via the web. However, as the device is not supported by an operator, Google has been only able to respond to customer queries via email, leading many users to call for phone support to be set-up and filing complaints on support forums. Google has said email response will take up to two days, which has seen some frustrated users contact either T-Mobile USA (the first operator to carry the device) or HTC (the device manufacturer) without success.”This is a new way to purchase and support a mobile phone, and we’re committed to sorting out the few kinks that do exist,” said a spokesman for Google in response to the complaints.

Nexus One can be bought ‘unlocked’ from the Google web store for US$529, or for US$179 if consumers are prepared to sign up to a two-year contract with T-Mobile (though the subsidy is only available to new T-Mobile USA customers). Google is already planning a successor; in an interview with the Wall Street Journal last week, Google’s Andy Rubin said the next version of Nexus One will be targeted at enterprise users and might include a physical keyboard. Such a device is likely to be positioned as a competitor to Research In Motion’s BlackBerry, the market leader in the enterprise segment.