Six days of this wintry December have come and gone with barely any new smartphones hitting the markets world over. However, it seems as if this day will go down in Google history as a very important one since the company’s latest Android 2.3 has finally seen the light. Samsung and Google jointly enunciate Nexus S, the first smartphone operating on Android Gingerbread.
Flaunting a wide 4-inch Super AMOLED Contour Display, the curved design of the screen proffers an ergonomic feel when handset owners hold it to their ear. An interesting new function that has been integrated in the device is the Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that allows users to read information from daily objects like stickers and posters. These everyday products need to be embedded with NFC chips.
“Google is excited to co-develop Nexus S with Samsung, ensuring solid integration of hardware and software to deliver the lead device for the latest version of Android, Gingerbread,” commented Andy Rubin, Vice President of Engineering at Google.
Running on the 1 GHz Samsung application processor, the Nexus S is capable of endowing handset owners with faster upload and download times and pristine 3D graphics and support for HD-like multimedia content. Sporting a 5 megapixel rear facing camera cum camcorder and a VGA front facing camera, novice photographers can leverage on the wide screen for optimal images. Measuring up to 63 x 123.9 x 10.9 mm, the handset is powered by a 1500 mAh battery.
JK Shin, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics, asserted, “Samsung and Google have worked together closely to deliver the best Android smart phone experience for consumers. It has been our ambition in working with Google to continue to push the Android platform forward and create a smart phone that has both superior functionality and a stunning user-experience. It is extremely satisfying to see this partnership again bear tremendous fruit.”
With 16GB of internal memory, this Google smartphone fits in a gyroscope sensor which offers a seamless gaming experience whilst players orient or pan the device. Coming to the freshest feature of the handset, the Android 2.3 subsumes some enticing features like a new and improved keyboard with multi-touch support as well as added support for Near Field Communication (NFC). It even proffers a fresh and clean user interface and renders support for Internet calling (VoIP/SIP).
“Samsung was thrilled to work with Google to create the first device featuring the much anticipated Android 2.3 OS. Nexus S is powerful proof of Samsung and Google’s commitment to bringing technology firsts to market and launching products that utilize the open and innovative Android operating system,” stated Omar Khan, chief strategy officer of Samsung Telecommunications America. “Nexus S integrates Samsung’s best-in-class hardware and technology with the exciting new features and upgrades of Android 2.3 Gingerbread to give consumers a breakthrough smartphone experience.”
Leveraging on Gingerbread’s prowess, the Nexus S includes some useful attributes such as true multitasking, portable Wi-Fi hotspot and complete access to Google mobile services. The device operates on 2.5G (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE): 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz and 3G (HSDPA 7.2Mbps, HSUPA 5.76Mbps): 900/1700/2100 MHz networks. This Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled handset is loaded with an assortment of features including A-GPS, gyroscope sensor, accelerometer, digital compass, proximity and light sensors.
The Samsung and Google Nexus S will hit U.S. Best Buy stores and the website from December 16. On the other hand, the citizens of the U.K will have to wait until December 20, 2010 to pick it up from Carphone Warehouse or Best Buy retailers. The handset retails in the UK through Vodafone and T-Mobile with a price tag of £549.95. Users will have to additionally shell out £10 for a top up on a pay-as-you-go basis. Android loyalists who can’t wait to pre-order this handset can hop onto the Carphone Warehouse website. However, the device is available on pre-order only from Vodafone.