Archive for: nexus
Continuing on the free flow of Google I/O news, Google has confirmed two rather juicy rumors concerning upcoming Android hardware and software.
First and foremost, the debate revolving around Google’s choice to not open source the Honeycomb source code wasn’t done as part of some evil plan. The company deliberately witheld Honeycomb from the masses to keep people from cramming it onto phones because of Ice Cream Sandwich. While some will argue it is the end users’ and developers’ choices to cram non-phone Android versions onto phones, we understand Google wanting to keep things neat and tidy.
Also, another Nexus phone is in the works. While Android chief Andy Rubin wouldn’t say too much on the matter, he did acknowledge that the next true “Google Phone” will once again display Android in all of its (stock) glory, and that it will perfectly show off Ice Cream’s new features and abilities. Look for more details on the next Nexus phone as they become available.
- November 11, 2010 10:06 am
Samsung came out hot and heavy recently, denying a growing rumor that they were the upcoming Nexus 2/Nexus S manufacturer. For those new to the Android scene, the reason a Nexus 2/S is important is because it gives Android afionados a place to pick up a non-carrier gimped Android device that will (1) be at the top-end of the market hardware wise as well as (2) receive updates as soon as they’re available — being a “Pure Google Experience phone” and all.
But all of that denying was for nought. The screenshot above was snagged by an eagle-eyed Phandroid reader. The chances of the Nexus 2/S being a legitimate device are looking even better, especially in light of those ever persistant rumors and now a major electronics retailer apparently preparing for an upcoming launch. And let’s not forget, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) is due to be officially announced any day/week now. A new “Pure” Android phone would certainly start things off right, wouldn’t you say?
Update:
Also hearing some info that this could be the Samsung Elite. Android Central Forums. But if that’s the case — Samsung branding the device as it’s own, possibly skinning it with TouchWiz — then it won’t be a “pure google phone”. It may still launch with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). Though updates would be delayed.
Update 2:
Oh hey, a Best Buy Mobile ad showing an announced phone. Could it be…?
- February 22, 2010 1:34 pm
If you still feel that your Nexus One is the king of crop as far as smartphone displays are concerned, you may not want to read this. (Spoiler alert: N1 display isn’t so hot!) Care for more info? Right, cheerio then.
Looking at the picture above, one can easily see the difference between the top (iPhone 3GS) and bottom (N1) displays — the latter looks like junk. It looks like junk if you know what you’re looking for that is. That striping non-sense is called banding, and it’s a good indicator of screen quality and color depth. Ironically, the N1 display which is so highly regarded for it’s amazing eye popping color reproduction is actually displaying nothing more than 16-bit color. The iPhone 3GS as well as many other smartphone use 32-bit. As a result, color intensity levels (and more specifically, image quality) suffer.
Oh there’s more. (Told you not to read this if you’ve got a soft spot for the N1). Besides the missing color depth, sub-pixel rendering, and below average brightness. Above all else however, it’s worth mentioning that to most users, the added pizazz that has wowed you so far were likely chosen by Google over such things as touchscreen accuracy and outdoor performance.
Even still, the once almighty N1 just became a little less almighty. Why is it that ’till this day, no one can seem to build a quality, spec beast of a smartphone without screwing some feature(s) over?
For a much more detailed account of the exact issues with the N1 (and subsequent murdering of your so far near flawless opinion), stop on by DisplayMate and soak it all in.
Gizmodo > DisplayMate
One of the biggest complaints end users had concerning the Nexus One can officially be crossed off of the list of “reasons not to buy” today. The announcement of the first (and only) Nexus One support hotline should be the sounding horn of relief for many agitated Nexus One owners who have found the answers and pleas help go pretty much unanswered until this point.
For interested parties, dialing (888) 48NEXUS (63987) between the hours of and 7:00 am – 10:00 pm PST from here on out will result in getting to a nice warm bodied human sooner or later. It’s worth throwin’ in that normally the Goog’s isn’t too chipper in the support department for any of it’s products. That withstanding, it’s important to realize the radically different product and user market of the Nexus One and the challenges and required support that come standard with phone.
Nexus One owners: have you reached out for Google’s late yet gracious lifeline of support? If you manage to phone up the number listed above, give us some oh so interesting details like how long it took you to get through and how many phone techs you had to go through before you question was answered/solved. We’d be so appreciative, really we would.
Slashgear > Cnet
While the ink on your old credit card receipt proving you did in fact donate half a kidney for a contract free Nexus One is barely dry, a new juicy tidbit compliments of Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha paves way for a new hotness to look after. According to claims made by Mr. Jha, Motorola is working on a Google phone of their very own that will follow in the N1′s footsteps and be sold directly to customers, cutting out the middleman carrier. Fine by me. Fine by you?
Sadly, Jha isn’t very giving with any more information pertaining to this MotoGoo phone for hardware or price. Considering however that Motorola has claimed repeatedly to launching 20 to 30 new devices in 2010, a Google phone rebadged as the “Nexus 2″ doesn’t sound so far fetched now does it?
Unwired
- January 15, 2010 12:55 pm
Chief complaints nowadays regarding the G1 include slow and sluggish performance when compared to some of the other Android devices on the market, poor battery life, and of course, worries of a dead end nearing the upgrade path.
The last scare does have some merit. The OS partition on the G1′s built in memory is pretty much maxed out. How developers manage to cram more of those tiny bits inside the case is at times mind boggling, but that’s what they do.
If you’re still wielding a G1 and are looking into or already in the custom ROM scene, you may have heard about a ROM developer that goes by the name of “Manup456″. The road to righteousness of course starts out with a root user requirement and escalates from there. Even still, most users should be able to carry out the tasks fairly easily.
Check out Androidspin and/or XDA for the how-to’s and needed files. BTW, one nice cherry on top is that in this new v1.5, Live Wallpapers are now a go. Whew! Hit up those links folks!
GadgetVenue
WordPress. Android. Nexus One. Tomorrow, January 5th is the claimed announcement/release of Google’s Nexus One running Android 2.1. It’s been the talk of the town in geekdom for the last several weeks as it’s Snapdragon internals are certainly worth talking about. The first word mentioned at the start seems out of place with “Android” and “Nexus One”, but that’s only because it doesn’t exist yet in mobile Android form. Or does it?
A post today on IntoMobile highlights a link located at android.wordpress.org/ that supposedly leads to the Android support/info page at WordPress.com. This support page would obviously document an Android app of some sort. Only problem is, an Android WordPress app hasn’t been announced yet.
Since the iPhone and BlackBerry platforms already have an official WordPress app, it would only make sense for Android to join in on th e party. I for one am extremely excited seeing as how Gadgetsteria is run off of WordPress. Since picking up my Droid back in November, I’ve been using WPToGo to get all of my mobile blogging/comment moderation done while on the go. It is far from perfect and frustrating at times but there’s no doubt it’s highly useful.
With all of that said, the android.wordpress.org link may cause many to believe that an Android WordPress app is imminent. I can’t blame you. The same link style appeared right before the iPhone and BlackBerry versions went live as well. However, after skimming through the comments at IntoMobile, another blogger by the name of Andrew pointed out that he touched on this whole WordPress/Android love fest back in October at his site ChangingWay. There he highlights how even several months back, the same link was “live”, though still protected, proving something is going on behind the scenes for Android.
Further adding fuel to the speculative fire, in an older video of Sony’s Xperia X10 a WordPress App for Android can clearly be seen in the app drawer (left). Granted it could very well be a place holder and void of any real meaning. I mean, the video in which the screen grab was captured from originates way back from July of ’09. Clearly they’re either having problems with bugs/development or they are developing one hell of an application.
WordPress for Android has to be coming at some point. Do you think Google is lining up a big WordPress app/announcement to accompany the Nexus One announcement or at the very least, use CES as the birthplace? Or are all of these signs mere coincidental?
I for one am crossing my fingers. I’m finding myself spending an increasing amount of time on WPToGo on my Droid. Can WordPress make a functional and worthwhile mobile app for Android?
IntoMobile > BlogHerald
- December 29, 2009 9:18 pm
In the market for a new smartphone — an Android smartphone in particular lacking any physical keyboard? If so, the Nexus One has no doubt been on your radar. “THE” Google/Android phone to have. We’ve seen the specs over and over as well as blurry video after blurry video with a few clear ones here and there meticulously detailing the hardware and Android 2.1. Awesome. We already know about all of that. The biggest question, the question of price, has so far been elusive — until now.
In a rush? $180/2-year Tmo plan and $530/unsubsidized.
For those with a few minutes to spare…
Subsidized
- $180: 2-year T-Mo plan required. Specifically the $39.99 Even More + Text + Web plan which comes in at $79.99 when everything is said and done.
- **It’s interesting to note that you must use the plan highlighted above. You cannot receive the Nexus One subsidized and keep any current single line plan. You’ll have to stomach a new plan to get that shiny new phone.
- **Also important, users on Family plans, Flexpay, SmartAccess and KidConnect plans are completely SOL — as in you aren’t eligible for subsidized pricing no matter what you do.
- If you break contract before 120 days pass, you’ll either have to pay the remainder of the subsidy (roughly $350) or return the phone to Google. Think about it folks.
Unsubsidized
- $530: Looking to go it alone? Unsubsidized price will be a couple bucks higher…obviously
Other Stuff
- Up to 5 Nexus Ones can be purchased per Google account
So what do you think? With the all the info we already know and this almost certain pricing information now available, does Google even need to hold a press event on the 5th? And if you’re one of many that are sure to be readying their forms of payment, which option are you going with: A 2-year (or at least 121 day) love fest on T-Mobile or a single, dry shaving, unsubsidized approach?
Gizmodo
- December 23, 2009 11:48 am
Those interested in the Nexus One in even the slightest bit may be happy to know that the official specs have leaked for the masses to gaze upon. Overall, there isn’t much here that we didn’t already know. Still, seeing all the rights stuff laid out before our eyes and confirming the many things we wish for is a sight to say the least.
Still unclear is how many ways we geeks can snag one of the beauts as brick and mortar retail outlets aren’t yet confirmed. Though T-Mobile has been in the cards (and rumors) since the rumors began but a short week or so ago. Even with invite only sales, you can *probably* bet on a T-Mo store selling these at some point in the not too distant future. Stay tuned folks.
Specs below:
Android Central > Engadget
