Smartphones Nexus S & Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) unveiled

[bmer]

As expected Google announced Android 2.3 and the new Nexus phone, Nexus S on Monday.


Android 2.3 (a.k.a. Gingerbread)

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Highlights

New Keyboard
Improved Copy/Paste
Improved Power Management
Application Control (Task Killer)
NFC (Near Field Communication)
Internet Calling
New Download Manager
Support for Multiple Cameras
UI Improvements

Android 2.3 User Guide (PDF 6,1 MB): http://www.google.com/googlephone/AndroidUsersGuide-2.3.pdf

Screenshots

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Nexus S (a.k.a. Samsung GT-i9020)

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[Top Secret]

I really like the Vanilla Android. Shame that there aren't more phones running it.

 

[Sayyaaf]

Gizmodo reported that it feels cheap in hand compared to some older Androids (HTCs)

 

[go0gle]

^ No surprise.. samsung loves using plastic. Once you get used to a metal phone, it is hard to settle for plastic

Android 2.3 looks good.. the only thing is there are so many different versions of it on so many different devices.. it reminds me of windows mobile

 

[bmer]

Android 2.3 looks good.. the only thing is there are so many different versions of it on so many different devices.. it reminds me of windows mobile

Many versions, true, but over 80 % of Android users are using the 2.x-versions.


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[Zafiro]

I have version 2.2 in my HTC. Do you think an update is a must?

 

[bmer]

I have version 2.2 in my HTC. Do you think an update is a must?

HTC has confirmed that some of their phones will get the 2.3 update but they didn't provide any details about the timeframe or the phone models. I don't think you should expect to get it before spring though.

 

[Cashmere]

is there a link/list indicating which handsets will be capable/ receiving updates to 2.3?

 

[NarutoRamen]

This might be my new phone since my HD2's touch screen sensor is fried. The only big IF is that I have to make sure that Tegra 2 handsts aren't coming out Soon, as in within the next 2 months AND I can get it subsidized for $199.

is there a link/list indicating which handsets will be capable/ receiving updates to 2.3?

Pretty much all handsets can get the update. It's up to the manufacturer whether that will happen. If not, then there is always XDA-developers.

 

[bmer]

is there a link/list indicating which handsets will be capable/ receiving updates to 2.3?

The hardware specs needed to run Gingerbread are basically the same as for Froyo so the phones that can run 2.2 can also run 2.3. It's really up to the manufacturer/carrier as Naruto said above. So far HTC has promised it for some models (without naming those models), Samsung now says the Galaxy S series will get it while LG is still evaluating. No word from Motorola yet AFAIK.

 

[Yaz]

Disappointed since there's no HSPA+ and I'm not a big fan of the Galaxy S look.

Google finally learned their lesson and they're not selling it online only like they did with the N1, so I'll take a look at it first before deciding. Anyone know who will have them? T-Mobile stores?

 

[NarutoRamen]

...while LG is still evaluating.

LG has now confirmed that the Optimus series of phones will get it.

Disappointed since there's no HSPA+ and I'm not a big fan of the Galaxy S look.

Google finally learned their lesson and they're not selling it online only like they did with the N1, so I'll take a look at it first before deciding. Anyone know who will have them? T-Mobile stores?

HSPA+ really isn't that important for me. The only sites I browse on my phone aren't that bandwidth heavy. Plus, most of the current 3G smartphones can barely last the whole day without needing a recharge, I wonder how bad 4G will be on the battery.

And to answer your question, in the US all Best Buy stores will carry Nexus S. You can go all TSA touchy feely on them there.

 

[go0gle]

LG and Samsung yet to decide on the Gingerbread upgrade for Optimus One and Galaxy S

"It was only yesterday when LG announced on its Facebook page that Optimus One won't be updated to Gingerbread. The reported reason was its lowly 600MHz processor."

This is one of the reason I would rather stick with the old and ugly Symbian. IT runs just fine on 680mhz cpu and my N8 will get updates as they become available

 

[NarutoRamen]

"It was only yesterday when LG announced on its Facebook page that Optimus One won't be updated to Gingerbread. The reported reason was its lowly 600MHz processor."

Nope...When they put that up there, the lead Android Engineer tweeted that there are no such requirements. To which LG replied today:

"LG will upgrade all Optimus One smartphones currently using the Froyo OS to the next version of the Android OS, Gingerbread. Details of the upgrade schedule will be announced locally in due course. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and misunderstanding that was caused regarding this issue."

LG commits to upgrading optimus ones to gingerbread, angry hordes abate

Also, Samsung's India arm confirmed GalaxyS is getting Gingerbread. I can give a link of that too if ya want.

 

[bmer]

LG has now confirmed that the Optimus series of phones will get it.

Yeah, I just saw it.

Still no word from Motorola or Sony Ericsson... Though I think it's unlikely the SE X10 (or any other SE Android phone for that matter) will get Gingerbread. Someone @xda said SE jumped from 2.1 development straight to 2.3 so that they wouldn't be late again when everybody is running Gingerbread. The X10 successor 'ANZU' (possibly named X12?) will be unveiled at MWC in February and should come with Gingerbread pre-installed.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Yeah, I just saw it.

Still no word from Motorola or Sony Ericsson... Though I think it's unlikely the SE X10 (or any other SE Android phone for that matter) will get Gingerbread. Someone @xda said SE jumped from 2.1 development straight to 2.3 so that they wouldn't be late again when everybody is running Gingerbread. The X10 successor 'ANZU' (possibly named X12?) will be unveiled at MWC in February and should come with Gingerbread pre-installed.

Tell me about it. I love Sony's handsets but theres two things that piss me off about them.

1. They don't make phones with 3G band for Tmo USA.
2. They are SO f__king late with everything that they do. If SE was a chick, it would have the baby before it even knew it was pregnant...THAT late.

 

[Yaz]

Stopped by a Best Buy to TSA it (thanks Raman ) and Gizmodo is indeed right. This thing feels like those dummy phones they have on display. I was honestly looking forward to it, but for $500+ for this? No thanks.

 

[go0gle]

Nope...When they put that up there, the lead Android Engineer tweeted that there are no such requirements. To which LG replied today:

"LG will upgrade all Optimus One smartphones currently using the Froyo OS to the next version of the Android OS, Gingerbread. Details of the upgrade schedule will be announced locally in due course. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and misunderstanding that was caused regarding this issue."

LG commits to upgrading optimus ones to gingerbread, angry hordes abate

Also, Samsung's India arm confirmed GalaxyS is getting Gingerbread. I can give a link of that too if ya want.

Well,that is very good news!! If anything, the more they refine it, the easier it should be to make it run on slower phones.

Stopped by a Best Buy to TSA it (thanks Raman ) and Gizmodo is indeed right. This thing feels like those dummy phones they have on display. I was honestly looking forward to it, but for $500+ for this? No thanks.

If you want a premium feel and solid built quality, its either the iPhone 4 or the Nokia N8. The N8 has aluminum body, so it feels really good in your hand. The iPhone 4 feels very nice as well. Once you get used to metal (i had a Nokia e71 for two years) it is really hard to go back to plastic

 

[Zafiro]

If you want a premium feel and solid built quality, its either the iPhone 4 or the Nokia N8.

I have to add HTC Desire