The estate of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick is not happy with Google’s decision to call its phone Nexus One. Their beef is in using the word “nexus” which the famous writer used in its novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” which was later adapted for the screen as Blade Runner. Dick used the word “Nexus-6” to talk about rogue androids trying to prolong their lives.
Dick’s daughter Isa Dick Hackett told The New York Times that she was “shocked and dismayed.” “We were never consulted, no requests were made, and we didn’t grant any sort of permissions,” she added.
The problem with the claim is that “nexus” means “link” or “connection” and its meaning long predates “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.” As a matter of fact, Concise Oxford English Dictionary tracks the word back to the 17th century, and comes from the Latin “nex-, nectere”, a binding together.
I doubt Google will stop using Nexus One as a name for its first phone. Quite the contrary, I would expect to see the search giant releasing the Nexus Two in the foreseeable future. We’ll certainly be watching “all things Nexus,” so stay tuned…
[Via: PocketGamer.co.uk]