Internet search giant Google is closing down its online store, which was set up in January this year (2010) in order to sell the Nexus One smartphone.

Google had projected the direct sales plan for what was widely known as the "Google-phone" would roll out a novel business model for the US cellphone business, by convincing customers to buy phones independently from the major carriers.

At present, most of the cell phone purchases are subsidized by the carriers in return for clients locking in to a two year contract.

In a blog, Andy Rubin, who heads Google's smartphone efforts, wrote that the plan had not worked out as thought.

Andy Rubin also wrote, "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. 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."

The Nexus One smartphone will be available for a subsidized charge through cellphone carrier T-Mobile.

Many other cellular phones running the Android OS are available from other carriers.

The internet site at google. com/phone will become a showcase for different phones running Google's Android OS. (With Inputs from Agencies)te