Engadget is reporting that Google Nexus One will be launching on January 5. However, most of you may have to wait a bit longer, since the launch event is likely to be an invite-only affair. On what basis Google plans to hand out the invites remains a mystery, but it is likely that registered developers will be among the lucky few. The good news is that T-Mobile will start selling the phone directly to customers in the near future. However, the exact date is unknown.

Engadget also managed to get their hands on the detailed specifications. Here are the highlights:

• OS: Android 2.1
• Height: 119 mm Width: 59.8 mm Thickness: 11.5 mm
• Display: 3.7-inch WVGA AMOLED
• Processor: Qualcomm QSD 8250, 1 Ghz
• Storage: 512MB RAM, 512MB ROM, 4GB microSD card included (expandable up to 32 GB)
• Camera: 5 megapixel with LED Flash
• Connectivity: HSPA 900 / 1700 / 2100, 7.2Mbps down and 2Mbps up (This means 3g would work on T-Mobile but not on AT&T)

Google certainly knows how to hype up a product. They have done it time and again by simply restricting availability; and they seem to be doing it again. Google first started the fire by handing out the phone to employees all around the world (which was a sure-fire way to guarantee leaks).And now, by making the initial launch event they are only adding fuel to the fire.