Google launches Android OS 2.3 - on Samsung's Nexus S

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 07 December 2010 17:57

Your IT - Mobility

Google has launched its second Nexus phone, based upon Samsung's highly successful 'Galaxy S' range of smartphones, through which it has also brought Android OS 2.3 to the world - likely months before other Android phones will get it.

Google must have been very impressed by Samsung's successful 'Galaxy S' range of Android OS 2.1 smartphones, because the second 'official' Nexus branded phone, one that is Google's own, hasn't been made by HTC, but obviously, by Samsung.

Dubbed the Nexus S, instead of the Nexus 2 as some suspected (although S reversed does look like the number 2), Android OS 2.3 'Gingerbread' doesn't just bring a face-lift to Android OS 2.1 or 2.2, but naturally adds in some new features seen in both hardware and software. 

When will it launch in Australia? A statement from Samsung - along with Nexus S info - is on page two, and full specs are on page 3. 

Headline features being promoted beyond OS 2.3 is a 4-inch 'Super AMOLED' touch screen with a curious sounding 'curved design', the addition of NFC or 'near field communication' support to enable an easy way to turn your phone into a digital wallet for 'touch and go' type of payments, front and rear facing cameras and a 1GHz processor.

The 1GHz processor is a bit of a surprise in the light of much talk about dual-core processors and 1.5GHz speeds, but these will clearly come later, in 2011 - perhaps in time for Android OS 3.0, or 'Honeycomb', something that is also being billed as the true 'tablet-optimised' version Google OS.

Naturally, Samsung's President and Head of its Mobile Commnications Business, Mr JK Shin, was pumped by the announcement, stating that: '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.'

One can only wonder what HTC's Peter Chen thinks of this, but as you'd expect Mr Chen's thoughts do not appear in Samsung's press release, although given the claim that Samsung is now the 'Number one mobile phone provider in the U.S claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q3 2010 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports', it's not surprising to see Google give Samsung at chance at what has now become the next Nexus.

Omar Khan, the 'chief strategy officer' of Samsung Telecommunications America was also excited, as you can imagine, stating that: '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.

'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', Mr Khan continued, with no sign of Star Trekkian wrath.

The original Danger man himself, and Chief Google Droid Andy Rubin, whose real title is 'Vice President of Engineering at Google' also had a few words to say, stating that: '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.'

Hmm'¦ perhaps that is why Android OS 2.3 is being launched on a device with a 1GHz processor - it certainly makes it more likely that OS 2.3 will find its way onto devices that support OS 2.1 or 2.2, even if those older smartphones don't have NFC chips built-in, although we'll just have to wait and see what Google's true 'minimum hardware requirements' really are when it comes to older phones, something you definitely won't hear anything about when a brand new handset is launched.

More Nexus S info and an Australian release time-frame are on page two, specs on page three, please read on!