Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Android. Show all posts

Friday, March 30, 2012

Samsung Reconsiders No Android 4.0 for Tab and Galaxy S After Outcry

By Humberto Saabedra on December 27, 2011

Following the past few days where Samsung was all but set to abandon the Galaxy S and first generation Tab with the confirmation that it would not offer Ice Cream Sandwich for the devices, now comes word straight from Korea that confirms that the conglomerate has decided to reverse its position on the matter after ongoing internal discussions and increasing consumer demand.

While the reversal is surprising, it does come with a few exceptions, mainly that the versions of ICS that would be developed for both devices would be developed taking into account the hardware limitations of each device in terms of lower RAM/ROM and slower processors compared to current devices that are more than adequate for handling Android 4.0, such as the Galaxy Nexus. This means that the versions of Android 4.0 for the Galaxy S and Tab may have select features removed to better fit the devices hardware profile, but to what extent isn’t known at this time.

The initial reason for not updating the Tab and Galaxy S centered on the inability to get its TouchWiz overlay and Android 4.0 to work together without significant performance issues. It remains to be seen exactly how they will deal with that issue as well as the update cycle for both unlocked phones and the variety of carrier variants with slightly different hardware configurations.

As the Galaxy S and Tab are almost two years old, the initial consumer outcry against Samsung for not initially offering Android 4.0 on the devices was justified, as they represented sizable investments in hardware in terms of cost and any carrier agreements at the time of release for each product.

With the trend heading towards ever more compressed release cycles for Android hardware , the downside is that forced obsolescence is becoming a bigger trend for Android manufacturers and is quickly leaving a bad taste in the mouth of those that happen to purchase flagship Android phones from select manufacturers and carriers under contract, which has the side effect of making customers wary about buying from the same manufacturer in the future, due to the insecurity regarding consistent updates.

Samsung Confirms Galaxy Player as First Google Sanctioned Android PMPSamsung Confirms No Android 4.0 on Galaxy S and TabT-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Tab Price Cut Coming WednesdaySamsung Announces Galaxy S II LTE and Galaxy Tab LTE Ahead of IFASamsung Claimng Carriers Not Being Charged for Froyo on Galaxy SPosted in Android, Samsung | Tagged Android 4.0, galaxy s, Galaxy Tab, Samsung |


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Sunday, January 22, 2012

News on Android

Sina Weibo Android phone, one click access » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+Sina Weibo Android phone, one click accessUnder: Google Android, Mobile Phones
Date: January 20th, 2012

A prototyped Android phone by the name of the new Sina Weibo, is currently being put through its paces thanks to Chinese company Sina responsible for micro blogging service Sina Weibo.

Running as reported alongside the service sometime this year, the new device is said to have been put forward to a board, of which if given the go ahead will take a team of 10 up to hundreds.

According to thenextweb.com, a budget and plan of all the in’s and out’s of the new Android phone has been given, with the Chinese company hoping for the handset to be officially launched later this year. Following in Facebook’s footsteps to devise a device that is customized towards the social network, which coincidentally is called ‘Buffy,’ Sina is hoping to achieve the same concept.

The prototype is hoped to be a custom version of Android that will give users access to the Sina Weibo service as well as apps and services with one click access.

We’ll the first to admit that the details are a little vague, but further information will of course be posted to you.

Give us your thoughts on the new prototype?

 

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Google Updates Search and Maps for Android in the Middle of CES

By Humberto Saabedra on January 11, 2012

Google Search Android UpdateGoogle has taken to stealth updating Search and Maps for Android while attention is squarely placed on CES this week. The updates for Maps for Android center on improved battery life with Latitude now featuring faster refreshes for locations and adds the ability to guess location based on vehicle speed if the GPS signal is lost during a drive and offers more public transportation route options for supported public transit systems.

Google has also updated its Search for Android to feature faster, smoother performance, with an updated and simplified user interface. Suggestions for search are now grouped by type, with web suggestions at the top as well as country-specific suggestions and search results for all countries with Google domains with long press capability added to remove history items.

Some additional tips from Google on the new Search for Android:

Tap the arrow to the right of a search suggestion or history item to add it to your search term before searching.Get suggestions from other apps on your phone – check out searchable items in Search settings.Long press on home screen to add the Google Search widget, if you don’t have it already, to access search faster.

With the latest update to Maps, Google is seeking to address the biggest issue with the application in battery life compared to previous versions as well as adding additional features for users of public transport while Search being updated for Gingerbread and earlier versions for Android is Google’s attempt to continually maintain the Search app for those versions of Android while gradually transitioning to the newly merged Ice Cream Sandwich.

Google Updates Maps for Windows Mobile, Adds Voice SearchGoogle Maps for Mobile 5.0 for Android to Add Offline Maps, Navigation, Dynamic Map DrawingGoogle Updates Maps for Mobile with Mass Transit for Windows Mobile and S60Google Adds Offline Map Caching to Maps for Android as Labs FeatureGoogle Updates Maps for MobilePosted in Google | Tagged Android, Google, Google Latitude, maps, search |


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Information about the Temple run Android

Temple Run Android February release: Discussion corner » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+Temple Run Android February release: Discussion cornerUnder: Android OS Apps, Apps
Date: January 21st, 2012

Everyone via the Android corner is waiting on the Temple Run app to release, this simple but very addictive game is already popular with iOS gamers, and now we are only a few weeks away and the waiting game will be over.

Temple run is basically has the Indiana Jones feel to it, where a man (You control) is running away from gorillas/monkeys, as you flee you have to collect coins as well as dodge, jump and slide obstacles. You control the runner by using swiping gestures on the screen, we have already played this on an iPhone 4S and got to admit, it is very addictive.

Temple Run is a hit game already by Imangi Studios, and thanks to the official Facebook page of this game details have been released that the Temple Run Android app will release in February, but we already knew this already. We already mentioned that whilst you wait why not install a couple of Android apps to keep you busy, these two apps were called “Temple Run Fan App” and “Temple Run Cheats” (both for Android devices).

So while all you Android device owners wait for Imangi Studios to release Temple Run app to release in February, we would like to ask you to join the discussion corner below. In our commenting area please do have your say about Temple Run for Android, have you got anything to say, are you bored of waiting? Anything you have to say please do let us know.

 

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Straight Talk To Launch LG Optimus 2X, First High-End Prepaid LTE Android Phone (Updated)

By Humberto Saabedra on January 17, 2012

LG Optimus 2X LTE

Prepaid virtual operator Straight Talk has announced its first high-end Android smartphone in the LG Optimus 2X. The key differentiator between this version of the phone and the T-Mobile version in the G2X will be the inclusion of an LTE radio, which will make this the first high-end prepaid Android smartphone on Straight Talk and the first to function on AT&T’s nascent LTE network.

It also marks the first time that AT&T will allow prepaid access to its LTE network, as its own GoPhone lineup is limited to 3G devices and its smartphone lineup on GoPhone does not feature access to either unlimited 3G data or LTE access.

The LG Optimus 2X is underpinned by a dual-core Nvidia Tegra 2 at 1GHz, an 800×480 resolution touch display, front-facing 1.3 megapixel VGA camera and 8.0 megapixel rear camera with 1080p video capture along with a Wi-Fi N radio, Bluetooth, microSDHC slot with pre-installed 4GB card, 3.5mm jack and mini HDMI out.

This marks a potentially disruptive development for the prepaid brand, as it simultaneously competes against its Master Service Provider in AT&T in terms of services offered for the monthly rate, since the $45 monthly rate for service includes unlimited access to voice, data and messaging while the service also undercuts its competitors in Boost Mobile, Cricket and MetroPCS in terms of value for money.

The lowest priced service plans for Android on MetroPCS with LTE access start at $50 per month and do not include unlimited data access, while Boost Mobile’s Android data plan is $5 higher per month for the first six months and is unlimited in terms of data access, but is limited to much slower EV-DO Rev. A access. For Straight Talk to offer 4G LTE data access as a part of its current $45 monthly rate is not only potentially game changing, but it opens access to even more people that normally wouldn’t be able to take advantage of such service, as LTE access is currently being limited by carriers to capped postpaid and prepaid tablet access to generate the revenue necessary to cover costs associated to network buildouts.

It’s also important to note that such service additions and newly included support for faster data access on prepaid providers are usually followed by significant increases to the monthly rate to cover the additional costs incurred by the provider.  For Straight Talk to maintain the $45 smartphone rate while offering its first high-end smartphone with LTE is a sure way to drive not only frugal customers looking to jump into its low cost and inclusive flat-rate service as well as those that will undoubtedly upgrade from older smartphones, but the hardcore Android enthusiasts will no doubt take a second look at the service as it now supports LTE, which will doubtlessly drive even more activations on the service.

However, as Straight Talk is notoriously tight-lipped about its limits on data access per month dating back to the release of the E71, what is currently not known is how LTE access will be treated in terms of any monthly caps or throttling. AT&T is especially notorious for its current monthly data caps, but at least those are clearly defined.

With Straight Talk, reports vary on exactly how much is “too much” data use for a given user, as experiences range from ~6GB of data use a month with no issues or warnings, to situations where using more than 200MB in one day has led some customers to have their service suspended until the next renewal period without being able to restore it, or worse, having service completely terminated and having to reactivate completely.

With this latest development, Straight Talk is well on its way to being the disruptive provider that so many have tried and failed to be. The phone will be launched by the end of the month as an online exclusive with pricing to match, as the phone will be priced between $249-299.99 and slot at the top of the current Android lineup, which currently features the Sprint-powered and sourced Samsung Precedent and LG Optimus Q.

What remains to be seen is just how many people will be led to the service of flat-rate service with LTE access for half of the cost of the typical postpaid monthly rate on AT&T. Will it drive new customers that normally wouldn’t have considered prepaid service, or does the allure of the $45 rate leave it open for abuse by the same people that would take full advantage of such service if given the opportunity to pay such a low rate for it?

Update: After extensive research, it has been confirmed that the model offered is not an LTE enabled version of the Optimus 2X as is being advertised by Straight Talk, rather it is in fact an unbranded version of the US G2X that will be sold by the provider with Android Gingerbread 2.3.4 pre-loaded along with a new series of T-Mobile SIM card that will allow access to the carrier’s HSPA+ network for the phone, with no possibility of swapping current SIMs used on other GSM smartphones such as the E71 and E5 since they only work with AT&T.

Update 2: Straight Talk has pulled its reservation page for the Optimus 2X and replaced it with the page for the Optimus Q. The service provider has also pulled its Google Doubleclick ad campaign for the phone and replaced it with the previous campaign for the Optimus Q. Below, a screen cap of the Optimus 2X ad.

LG O2X Google Ad

Update 3: Straight Talk has re-opened the reservation page for the LG Optimus 2X and has removed all references to 4G LTE support and is instead referring to T-Mobile’s HSPA+ data network as “4G”.

Update 4: Sibling provider Net10 has opened its own page for the phone, with a screencap of its Google DoubleClick ad below detailing the removal of 4G LTE references:

Net10 LG O2X Google Ad

Straight Talk Announces LG Optimus QStraight Talk Announces Samsung Galaxy Prevail as Precedent, Ushers in New Sprint DealStraight Talk Samsung Precedent Up for Pre-Order Tomorrow (Updated)Walmart and Straight Talk to Launch Nokia E5 on Sunday, July 17th (Updated)Straight Talk Offers ‘Black Friday’ Plan – $30/unlimited for 12 MonthsPosted in Android, AT&T, LG, LTE | Tagged Android, AT&T, LG Optimus, LTE, Straight Talk |


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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Motorola Rolling Out Android 4.0 for Xoom Wi-Fi

By Humberto Saabedra on January 18, 2012

Motorola Xoom

The second tablet to receive the long awaited Android 4.0 update will be Motorola’s Xoom Wi-Fi tablet, with the update being pushed out as an OTA update.

The update pushes the software version to IML77 and takes full advantage of the new operating system, being that the Xoom was the reference device for the previous Android version in Android Honeycomb. The update is also notable for being available pre-rooted for those looking to maintain such access for maximum customization options and functionality not yet available officially on stock Android 4.0 or as the gateway to custom ROMs. of which many are also available.

While this update does signal that life does remain in the original Motorola Xoom, what is not yet known is whether the same updates will be provided to the LTE version of the tablet.

When the tablet was initially announced last January, the hardware and sales copy indicated compatibility with Verizon’s then new LTE network, but the actual tablet was not capable of accessing the then new network at its launch in February.  The initial plan was for Verizon to launch the Xoom LTE without the LTE hardware in order to avoid lengthy delays while Motorola prepared the LTE modules for a late Spring/early Summer 2011 launch.

However, additional delays in LTE hardware production ironically forced more delays on the intended free upgrade program past the initial timeframe, to the point that Verizon was forced to relaunch the tablet in October of 2011 with the LTE hardware included in order to drive already slow sales, while the upgrade program for those that bought the Xoom LTE at launch wasn’t completed until later that month, almost six months after its original upgrade timeframe was first announced.

Now with the availability of the Droid Xyboard/Xoom 2 in Verizon’s lineup, it remains to be seen whether the carrier will bother updating the Xoom LTE, as they can be easily found on the myriad of deal-a-day websites for an average of 30-40% off of their MSRP while Verizon slowly moves away from supporting the tablet in favor of newer tablets.

Of course, this also raises the question of what kind of carrier support can be expected for tablets in general, as T-Mobile abandoned support for its version of the Dell Streak 7 due to low sales while Dell continuously updated its Wi-Fi only versions.

With carriers continuously releasing Android tablets in order to compete in the marketplace with more power and more features at the expense of low overall sales and lower consumer awareness, long-term support means the difference between having a satisfied customer base that would be willing to buy more from that carrier and having people completely skip over an entire product line.

Unfortunately, with the compressed development and release cycles that have become the norm for Android smartphones and tablets, having timely consistent updates being made available for older devices are now a much lower priority for carriers than developing and selling new devices with new features, as evidenced by the launch of the Droid Xyboard series shortly after the relaunch of the Xoom 4G, despite the Xyboard 10.1 and Xoom 4G being priced identically.

Motorola Confirms Android 3.2 Rollout for Xoom Wi-FiMotorola Announces Xoom Android Honeycomb Tablet for Q1 with 4G LTE Update in Q2Best Buy Motorola Xoom Pricing SurfacesMotorola Reboots Xoom Family with Xoom 2Verizon Announces Motorola Xoom LTE Upgrade ProgramPosted in Android, Motorola, Nerds, Verizon | Tagged Android, Motorola, Motorola Xoom, Wi-Fi |


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Thursday, December 8, 2011

News on Google Android

Androidland by Google & Telstra, open near Apple » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+Androidland by Google & Telstra, open near AppleUnder: Google Android, Phone Business & Stocks
Date: December 6th, 2011

Apple and Microsoft US retail stores may have something to worry about, with news that Android could in the future be opening up their very own bricks and mortar shop “Androidland” nearby. Collaborating with mobile telecommunications Telstra, the new shop in Melbourne as you can see via the embedded video below, will include an entire list of features tempting the new or existing customer.

Already planned since July of this year and with the help of some major vendors such as, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Samsung, HTC and LG, the new Androidland as tomsguide.com reported, will feature a massive “spaceship” hub allowing you to play games including the ever so popular Angry Birds. Google Earth will be seen allowing you to check out different countries, there’s even a smell of Gingerbread wafting through the air, to resemble the company’s very own operating system and so on.

The new Androidland which can already be seen in Australia, will give customers a new and exciting experience unlike anything else, allowing the general public to see what Android has to offer for devices as well as giving people a fun time.

As to whether the new stores(s) will venture over into America and beyond, is anybody’s guess, but maybe this is the time for Apple and Microsoft to worry.

What are your thoughts on the new Androidland? Do you think that a new retail store would have a detrimental effect on Apple if it were to be opened virtually next door?

 

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Adobe Confirms December Release for Flash on Android Ice Cream Sandwich

By Humberto Saabedra on November 30, 2011

Adobe Flash logoFollowing its announcement that it would transition from Flash development to HTML5, Adobe has released another statement confirming the release timetable for Flash support on Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

As the operating system initially launched without Flash support, speculation arose that the operating system would mark the beginning of the transition to HTML5 and would not feature Flash support, before Adobe quietly confirmed Flash support for the new operating system. Continue reading for the full statement.

We’ve received some questions regarding support for Adobe Flash Player 11.1 and AIR 3.1 on the Galaxy Nexus. To be clear, the Galaxy Nexus does not initially support Adobe Flash Player 11.1 and AIR 3.1. As we previously communicated in a blog post, devices and software updates from our partners which introduce new technologies are being developed on varied schedules that are different from our own, which means that the Adobe runtimes may not always be optimized or supported on devices until a subsequent release. We will provide a minor update to the runtimes to support the Galaxy Nexus in December.

Posted in Android, General News | Tagged Adobe, Android, Galaxy, Ice Cream Sandwich, Samsung |


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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Dell Discontinues Streak 7 Android Tablet

By Humberto Saabedra on December 5, 2011

Dell Streak 7After a conspicuous launch in January in tandem with T-Mobile, Dell has officially discontinued its Streak Android tablet line completely with the removal of the Streak 7 tablet as of last Friday from its online store, with the page redirecting to the general Dell mobility page.

The Dell Streak 7 was initially meant to signal the computer manufacturer’s entry into the competitive Android tablet market, with the Streak series featuring Nvidia Tegra processors running Android 2.2 with its own user interface, which it called Stage.

While Dell had promised updates to the more appropriate Honeycomb version of Android, T-Mobile variants of the series were denied the update after lackluster sales of the 7 inch tablet led the carrier to drop official support, while unbranded 3G and Wi-Fi versions sold directly by Dell received Honeycomb 3.2, greatly improving overall performance and adding new features. Continue reading for the official statement from Dell.

“Dell remains committed to the mobility market and continues to sell products here and in other parts of the world. Streak 7 delivered a unique experience for customers who wanted a larger screen-size yet the freedom of staying connected to their personal and professional content while on the-go. It continues to be available in many markets through retail, distributors and carrier partners such as Optus in Australia. A 10-inch version of the tablet, Streak 10 Pro, is currently offered in China, offering the ultimate digital divide between work and life. The Venue and Venue Pro devices, as well, continue to earn accolades for performance, design and functionality around the world. We also recently launched the Latitude ST, a 10-inch Windows 7-based touch-screen tablet designed for vertical markets such as education, finance and healthcare in November of this year. We remain committed to expanding our reach beyond PCs with a targeted set of open, standards-based mobility solutions and services designed for commercial and mobile professional customers.”

Posted in Android, Dell | Tagged Android, Dell, Streak 7 |


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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

HTC Flyer Honeycomb Android 3.2 Update Releasing, Gives EVO View 4G Users Hope

By Christopher Price on December 6, 2011

HTC EVO View 4G Sprint / FlyerHTC has finally confirmed and announced that it will begin releasing an Android 3.2 upgrade for the HTC Flyer, a long suspected upgrade that gave many users frustration.

The Flyer sits alongside the Dell Streak 7 as being powerful seven-inch tablets, which emerged alongside 10-inch tablets that ran on Android 3.0, aka Honeycomb. Unfortunately, Google confirmed after Android 3.0's release that the platform lacked support for smaller-screens than a 10-inch, 1024×600 pixel display could allow for. Worse, Google violated open source licenses and outright refused to release the source code; preventing others from patching Android 3.0 to run properly on seven-inch tablets.

As we saw with the Dell Streak 7, upon the release of Android 3.2, support for these small-yet-powerful tablets finally came to fruition. However, while Dell committed early to the upgrade, HTC stayed relatively quiet. Today, HTC began pushing the Flyer upgrade to European 3G variants of the Flyer, and promised to release updates for the Wi-Fi variants globally. The update will be pushed over-the-air, and will not wipe user memory.

One device remains unconfirmed however, and that is the HTC EVO View 4G, the Sprint-exclusive WiMAX-and-CDMA relative of the Flyer 3G and Flyer Wi-Fi. As we saw with Dell, the T-Mobile HSPA+ variant of the Dell Streak 7 did not get upgraded to Android 3.2, and is stuck for life at Android 2.2, Froyo. Many are concerned that the HTC EVO View 4G may suffer a similar fate. Both the Sprint EVO View 4G and T-Mobile Dell Streak 7 suffer from somewhat lackluster sales, sparked by similar constraints; high device pricing.

While T-Mobile and Dell maintained strict pricing controls on the Dell Streak 7, Sprint and HTC have been a bit more forgiving, allowing wholesalers to dump overstock of the EVO View 4G onto the market for nearly at-cost pricing, as low as $239 in fire sales, and $289 in sustained sales pricing. Sprint has also rolled out a 1 GB Tablet Data Plan which we covered and took advantage of recently.

Google recently released the source code to all versions of Honeycomb, alongside the release of source code for Android 4, Ice Cream Sandwich. Honeycomb is significantly more in-line with Android 4 than Android 2 versions, as Android 4/ICS is built off of Honeycomb. For tablet owners, Honeycomb is a major improvement over Android 2.0, which was designed strictly for cell phones, and Android 3.0 was designed strictly for tablets. Android 4 unifies this experience, with one platform designed for both smartphone and tablet. Android 4 however does this as the cost of lower-end device support; Android 4 requires much of the hardware that tablets, and powerful smartphones share, and generally will not perform properly on low-end devices without both custom designs, and major reengineering.

Posted in Android, Google, HTC | Tagged Android, android 2.2, android 3.0, Android 3.2, Android 4.0, EVO View 4G, Flyer, Froyo, Honeycomb, HTC, Ice Cream Sandwich, sprint |


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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

News on Android Apps

UK Police Crime Data via Bobbies Android App » Phone Reviews All NewsiPhoneBlackBerryAndroidHTCLGMotorolaSamsungSony EricssonNokiaVideo   Add Mark Chubb (Phones Review CEO) to your Circles on Google+UK Police Crime Data via Bobbies Android AppUnder: Android OS Apps, Apps
Date: October 24th, 2011

Crime happens all across the United Kingdom and it is hard to keep up with what happens around you, well that could be the thing of the past. You can now check all the UK Police Crime Data via Bobbies Android app.

The new Bobbies Android app allows you to keep a track on crime, such as who has been robbed, threatened, stabbed and where the offence happened. This app basically grabs open source local time data for Wales and England making it searchable, it searches with maps and contact numbers and all sorts of vaguely reassuring local descriptions.

It is what we call a police officer in your pocket, there is a downside to this application; the data is a few month behind and only works in England and Wales.

We do like the fact that you can access data about the police force in your local neighbourhood; it will find emails and contact numbers for you. You can be kept informed about events that are happening around you, meaning you can go and meet certain police officials face-to-face.

More features will be added in the future, including the ability to view historic data and see how crime rates have changed over time. Please remember that this app is NOT official, for more information about Bobbies (UK Police Crime Data) (Free) please visit the Android Market.

 

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Breaking Down Key Features of Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus

Breaking Down Key Features of Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus | PhoneNews.com Welcome to the all-new PhoneNews.com! PhoneNews.comProviding complete coverage of the wireless industry, cell phone news, and future 4G technologies. HomeDealsHackers & NerdsCarriersContact Us & Submit NewsWrite for PhoneNews.comBrowse: Home / Breaking Down Key Features of Android 4.0 and the Galaxy NexusBreaking Down Key Features of Android 4.0 and the Galaxy NexusBy Humberto Saabedra on October 19, 2011

Google has announced Android Ice Cream Sandwich along with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus after much fanfare and after postponing its initial planned debut during CTIA following the death of Steve Jobs. Android 4.0 marks a major shift in the way the operating system works as the goal is to minimize fragmentation across devices while also providing a universal approach to app development, with apps and hardware developed around 4.0 expected to seamlessly scale from the current mobile phone and tablet hardware templates into the goal of a universal platform that can allow for apps to work across devices without the need to code for specific devices.  Continue reading for the rest of the breakdown.

Starting with the flagship hardware for the release, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus features a first of its kind 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen display at 720p resolution, 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 16/32 GB versions, dual-band Wi-Fi N radio (2.4 GHz/5 GHz), NFC support, 5.0 megapixel rear-facing camera, 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera and support for HSPA+ and LTE depending on carrier. The phone also features a redesigned camera application and new hardware, which introduces panorama mode, 1080p video capture, zero-shutter lag and effects such as background replacement and distortion filters.

Among the key new features in Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus is Face Unlock, which uses facial recognition to unlock  the phone using the front facing camera, though it does need to be calibrated and can be thrown off by extreme lighting in practice, as evidenced by last night’s failed demo during the launch event in Hong Kong. Android Beam uses the built-in NFC hardware to share web pages, apps and YouTube videos with others by simply tapping phones together, provided both phones are running Ice Cream Sandwich with NFC compatible hardware.

With Ice Cream Sandwich, Google is moving away from hardware buttons, as the Galaxy Nexus does not feature the usual array of Android home buttons and instead relies completely on software based buttons for navigation. Related to that point, the usual slate of widgets for Android can now be resized to suit personal preference as well as including new panels for mobile data monitoring, contacts and the inclusion of native screenshot capabilities.

In terms of the design of the phone, Samsung’s CEO admitted that the design of the phone was explicitly created to circumvent Apple design patents, with a slightly tapered design that is unlike any iPhone model on the market, in an obvious nod to currently ongoing litigation while the size of the phone is meant to resemble a miniature tablet rather than any conventional smartphone, with an elongated teardrop shape.

To close out, the Android 4.0 SDK has also been rolled out to developers and manufacturers, with the SDK featuring all of the key components previously noted as well as a new UI toolkit; social, calendar, and Android Beam APIs; new controls for the camera, video camera, music player, image effects and face detection; hardware-accelerated 2D mapping; and new text-to-speech APIs. With the availability of the SDK after the months of stalling on Honeycomb source, Google is hoping that developers will return to take full advantage of Ice Cream Sandwich and its much improved feature set.

As for other manufacturers, Motorola has confirmed that it will roll out ICS for its recently announced DROID RAZR Android smartphone in 2012, while HTC is taking a more measured approach, as it has yet to commit to the update with the following statement:

We are excited about the latest update for Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, and are currently reviewing its features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans. Our goal for Android updates is to give every customer an improved user experience, which means balancing each phone’s unique hardware, HTC Sense experience and the Android kernel. While our goal is to upgrade as many of our recent devices as possible, we are committed to maintaining every phone’s performance and usability first. Please stay tuned for more updates on specific device upgrade plans.

The phone will be launched next month as a Verizon Wireless exclusive for $299.99 after a new 2 year agreement, with regional variants also launching in the same timeframe. Google’s Andy Rubin also confirmed that previous Nexus devices would also receive Ice Cream Sandwich but declined to elaborate on specific launch dates, only stating that they would roll out weeks after the launch of the Galaxy Nexus. Regarding Android 4.0 and tablets, Rubin also declined to specify availability for specific hardware but did note that applications developed for 4.0 would work across devices.

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