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Google and Samsung delay Android 4.0, Galaxy Nexus event out of respect for Steve Jobs

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

In what can be described only as a truly classy move, Google and Samsung have decided to delay the launch event for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus smartphone. The event was originally scheduled to happen on October 11 at CTIA, three days before the launch of the iPhone 4S, and one day before the launch of iOS 5 and iCloud:

"Samsung and Google have decided to postpone the Samsung Mobile Unpacked event during the CTIA in San Diego, previously scheduled for Oct. 11. Under the current circumstances, both parties have agreed that this is not the appropriate time for the announcement of a new product. We would ask for the understanding of our clients and media for any inconvenience caused. We will announce a new date and venue in due course."

"We believe this is not the right time to announce a new product as the world expresses tribute to Steve Jobs's passing."

Nice job, guys.


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Samsung Galaxy S II is their fastest selling smartphone ever

Galaxy S II Epic touch 4g

Samsung has announced the latest batch of sales figures for its Galaxy S II Android smartphone, and the device remains the company's fastest-growing smartphone yet.

According to Samsung, the Galaxy S2 has officially hit 10 million in sales all of five months after the device's worldwide launch this past April. Sales in South Korea take the lion's share of the total at 3.6 million, with European markets close behind at 3.4 million. Sales of the smartphone in Asia hit a total of 2.3 million.

"In just five months the Galaxy S II has seen tremendous growth, reflecting its tremendous popularity with customers around the world, who in selecting the Galaxy S2 as their device of choice have driven the device's strong market position globally," said J.K. Shin, president of Samsung's mobile communications division, in a statement.

Previous sales figures put the Galaxy S2 at three million units sold after a mere 55 days on the market, shattering the company's sales records at the time. In fact, the Galaxy S2 hit the three-million figure all of 30 days faster than its predecessor device, Samsung's Galaxy S smartphone. Total Galaxy S2 sales then ballooned up to five million at the 85 day-mark.

Click to continue reading Samsung Galaxy S II is their fastest selling smartphone ever


Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ set for October or November arrival

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Software,

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Last Friday, Google chairman Eric Schmidt slipped that Android 4.0, the next major overhaul to the mobile operating system, will be released in "October or November."

Speaking to Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff at the Dreamforce conference, Schmidt said, "We have a new operating system, internally known as Ice Cream Sandwich for some reason, which is being released in October, November." Scroll down to watch the entire keynote; Schmidt slips at 30:28 mark, as reported by AndroidandMe.com.

Up to now, Google hasn't provided a release date for Ice Cream Sandwich, but perhaps Schmidt thought it was an obvious point given unconfirmed reports of Verizon possibly launching the Droid Prime, the first Android 4.0 device and believed to be the third Google Nexus smartphone, this October.

Click to continue reading Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich’ set for October or November arrival


Nexus Prime with Android 4.0 to launch exclusively on Verizon

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

Verizon Nexus PrimeThose waiting on the next big Android Nexus device won't have to wait that much longer, as we've just learned that the Nexus Prime--which will be the first phone to rock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich--will be launching in October exclusively on Verizon Wireless. Of course, we expect the iPhone 5 to also launch in October on AT&T, Verizon, and possible Sprint and T-Mobile as well. Verizon wants to be the only carrier selling both the next-gen iPhone and the next-gen Android smartphone at the same time.

Read More | BGR

Google looking to bring simplicity to Android with Nexus Prime

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Rumors, Software,

Nexus Prime smartphoneFollowing up on a report from last week, Boy Genius Report has added some key new details about Google's next Nexus phone, codenamed "Nexus Prime."

On Tuesday BGR editor Jonathan Geller said Samsung will once again manufacture the next pure Android cell phone, as it did with the recent Nexus S 4G.

"Nexus Prime" will be a flagship device for Android 4.0, aka Ice Cream Sandwich. Furthermore, the screen will use Samsung's "Super AMOLED HD" glass and come with a 1.5-GHz, dual-core OMAP4460 chip from Texas Instruments.

Notably, Geller also said "Nexus Prime" will lack carrier bloatware or manufacturer customization, much like Google's first Nexus phone, the Nexus One.

Click to continue reading Google looking to bring simplicity to Android with Nexus Prime


Google Nexus 4G: 720p display, 4G LTE, Android 4.0, 1080p recording

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Rumors,

Google Nexus 4G

Whenever there's a major release of Android, Google likes to partner with a manufacturer on the release of a reference device for the platform, and it looks like the Nexus 4G may be that device for Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich when it ships later this year. We aren't totally sure that Nexus 4G will be the name of the device, but it will be the fourth-generation Nexus phone that Google fills to the brim with all sorts of goodness. What can we expect from this one? Well, how about a 720p display for starters, with a dual-core 1.2 GHz or 1.5 GHz Snapdragon processor? 4G LTE support point to this one being a Verizon Wireless device (althought it may also launch as the first AT&T 4G LTE device,) and things are rounded out by 1 GB RAM, 1080p video recording, 5 megapixel rear camera, 1 megapixel front camera, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich goodness, all in an ultra-thin package.

Yeah, we know how good this sounds. Just remember, it's a rumor for now, and if it comes to fruition, don't expect to see it until around the September timeframe, right in line with the iPhone 5.

Read More | BGR

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich set for Q4 2011 launch

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Handhelds, Software,

Android Ice Cream Sandwich

It was just announced during the Google I/O 2011 keynote that the next version of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, will be the melding of Honeycomb and Gingerbread. In other words, as Google puts it, you'll have one OS that runs everywhere instead of one for phones and another for tablets--hence, the name "sandwich." Makes sense. The universal Android 4.0 will run on both small screen and larger screen devices, and will automatically adapt based on the size of the display. It's expected to be released in Q4 of this year, which means that most devices won't be updated with Ice Cream Sandwich until 2012.


What to expect at Google I/O

Google i/O

The Google faithful have converged at San Francisco's Moscone Center this morning to dive deep into the guts of the search giant's myriad services at Google I/O 2011. Sprinkled throughout the two-day blockbuster event will surely be some very important announcements (watch those keynotes closely) plus product and technology introductions. Here is some of what I expect.

Google TV
No discussion of what Google has up its sleeves is complete without a lengthy discussion about the fate of Google's converged TV and Web technology. Logitech, Sony and others have bought into it—big time. But consumers aren't buying and it's clear that Google has yet to arrive at a winning formula. I have an Apple TV device at home and I can guarantee you that at least one key ingredient is simplicity. No external keyboard, no large, hoary box, nothing above $150 dollars. That, for the most part, does not describe the current Google TV. Apple TV also has a super-easy—if you're an iTunes/AppStore member—way of purchasing new content. Google's focus on Web-based content and letting everyone handle commerce in their own way is not helping Google TV or any of its partners.

I expect Google to introduce a significant update to the Google TV platform. One that will shrink the hardware, swap out components, and introduce a wholly new commerce strategy.

Click to continue reading What to expect at Google I/O


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