Samsung is reportedly in discussions to offer Android 4.0 software upgrades to its Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab slates. Perhaps Samsung’s TouchWiz software is slimmed down or eliminated, which may not be a problem. Getting carriers to support such an upgrade, however, may be. Read more »
The Galaxy Nexus, a flagship phone to showcase Google Android 4.0, has finally arrived for Verizon’s LTE network. The large handset comes with a hefty $299 price tag with contract; $649 without. Although it should offer a “pure” Google experience, Google Wallet won’t be installed. Read more »
My Galaxy Nexus smartphone is now capable of receiving free voice calls and making low-cost outbound calls on a data-only mobile broadband plan. How can you send and receive calls on a smartphone without a voice plan? Android’s native SIP integration is a big help. Read more »
This week, I took delivery of a Galaxy Nexus, which may the hottest new Android handset; at least for now. Android 4.0 is elegant and refined, on par in many ways with Apple’s iOS 5. Silently running diagnostic software from Carrier IQ isn’t so elegant, however. Read more »
The Galaxy Nexus is in the house! This week, Matt and Kevin devote the audio show to share first impressions of the newest Android 4.0 smartphone. The hardware is generally excellent, but the real star of the show is the software: it’s elegant and refined. Read more »
The Galaxy Nexus smartphone I ordered on Sunday from the U.K. has arrived. I haven’t played enough yet, but the little time I’ve had with the first Android 4.0 smartphone has been most impressive. The best way to put the experience? Android has finally grown up. Read more »
Now that I have a new Galaxy Nexus on the way from the U.K., you’d think my faithful Nexus One would be sent out to pasture after 23-months of service. Nope. There’s a custom ROM that brings Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) to the old Nexus. Read more »
Resisting the lure of Google’s annual Android reference device is nearly impossible for an early adopter like me. This year, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is that device. Here’s what I think of the Nexus, Android 4.0.1, and how both stack up to the iPhone 4S. Read more »
Google’s Android 4.0 software won’t be limited to new handset models like the Galaxy Nexus; handset makers are starting to share plans on which existing smartphones will see the update. With plans for software updates to existing phones, this could finally eliminate Android fragmentation issues. Read more »
You can’t buy the Galaxy Nexus from a U.S. carrier just yet, but that’s isn’t stopping early adopters from getting their hands on Samsung’s newest phone. After reading reviews and tweets from happy owners, I decided to pull the trigger on my own. Hello Android 4.0! Read more »
We’ve seen Android 4.0, also known as the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google’s mobile platform, on a phone, but not on tablets. That changes with this video from Nvidia, showing off 1080p video and 3D gaming thanks to the Tegra 3 inside ASUS’s Transformer Prime. Read more »
Today we either saw the first effects of Adobe’s decision to stop developing Flash for mobile, or another example of why it has not gotten v… Read more at paidContent »
The HTC Rezound comes with a large 720p display, LTE radio and Beats Audio, but the $299 price doesn’t include Android 4.0 until 2012. Amazon and Barnes & Noble have created a second tablet market that looks successful while Motorola’s Xoom 2 appears marginally improved. Read more »
Motorola introduced two new Xoom-branded slates for the U.K and Ireland markets. The Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition both run on Google’s platform for tablets, but won’t ship with Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich. Didn’t Motorola learn from the first Xoom? Read more »
I knew this day would eventually be here, but it still saddens me: Google’s Hugo Barra has said that the Nexus One smartphone won’t officially gain the Android 4.0 upgrade. Sadly, I think it’s time for me to move on after 22 months with my Nexus. Read more »
Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus was finally introduced, but two hardware components have enthusiasts disappointed. Along with the new phone is Android 4.0, or Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s new platform to unify smartphones and tablets; the latter of which may not be selling as well as some think. Read more »
Asus is showing off the first Nvidia-powered quad-core tablet, which may intially run Google Android Honeycomb. I welcome advances in computer chips, but the time of “most powerful hardware” being best are long over. Today, top devices also require great apps and a solid user experience. Read more »
Google’s latest version of Android should make its way to existing handsets faster than the rollout of other milestone releases, according t… Read more at paidContent »
In an interview, Android user experience director Matias Duarte explains how Android is evolving to become something that inspires more wonder and is more usable for users. If Android with Ice Cream Sandwich can become more lovable like iOS, it could further challenge smartphone OS competitors. Read more »
Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich version of Android will natively play WebM video streams and MKV files. However, don’t expect your Android handset to support all those files you downloaded from The Pirate Bay any time soon; the new codec support largely targets developers. Read more »
At the Samsung Galaxy Nexus product launch, Google finally shared details of Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), the next version of Android. The new software removes many of the inconsistencies found in the current versions while improving and simplifying the feature set of Google’s mobile platform. Read more »
Samsung introduced the newest flagship Android phone, the Galaxy Nexus, in conjunction with Ice Cream Sandwich, the next version of Google’s mobile platform. The Galaxy Nexus launches in the U.S., Asia and Europe next month, giving developers time to code apps for the updated operating system. Read more »
Samsung’s official press event in Hong Kong to debut the Nexus Prime smartphone isn’t until Wednesday morning, but NTT DoCoMo may have outed the details and a photo a bit early. The hardware components match earlier leaked lists and still show a 5 megapixel camera. Read more »
The Samsung Unpacked event that was expected to introduce the Google Nexus Prime smartphone next week has been postponed to a future date. Meanwhile we have leaked specs and what appears to be a legitimate hands-on video with the Nexus Prime and Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Read more »
Google’s third flagship Android phone, code-named the Nexus Prime, is expected to launch next week. Thursday a list of believeable specifications surfaced. The phone could be a Verizon exclusive in the U.S., explaining why the carrier opted to pass on Samsung’s Galaxy S II: no LTE. Read more »
A AT&T Galaxy S II video shows what to expect before the phone goes on sale. Samsung is planning an event with Google that could bring the next Nexus. And Amazon’s Kindle Fire may be the best Android tablet yet, even though you won’t see Android. Read more »
The second quarter of 2011 in mobile was all about smartphones, thanks to Google’s Android, Apple’s iOS and mobile data consumption ramping up. In the tablet space, the iPad lacked any real competition, though that dominance will surely fade as more and more alternatives — from Cisco, HP and others — emerge. Elsewhere, location-based marketing finally made some headlines, and the groundwork for near-field communications looks to be finally falling into place. Additional companies in this report include Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft and Research In Motion. For a full list of companies, and to read the full report, sign up for a free trial. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Google today confirmed that the next smartphone version of Android is called Ice Cream Sandwich and is targeted for launch in the final quarter of 2011. Although most phones won’t likely see the version until 2012, Google is working with partners to improve the update process. Read more »
