Sprint and Samsung introduced the Nexus S 4G, successor of the Nexus S introduced just last December on T-Mobile. This new iteration of the Nexus is Sprint’s first unmodified Google Android phone with nothing but only basic applications from the Android Gingerbread 2.3 OS. These types of “stock Androids” are welcomed by tech-savvy people as they are easier to work with for developing apps and to hack. Furthermore, these devices are amongst the first one to receive Android software upgrades, no tweaking around custom users interfaces by manufacturers like HTC’s Sense interface.
In a way, the Nexus S 4G has almost the same features as the Nexus S, for instance, a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, with a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor, a 5-megapixel back facing camera, a front-facing camera and 16 GB of onboard storage.
What’s new is the WiMAX feature available on the Nexus S 4G, running on Sprint’s 4G, giving it potential download speeds of 3-8Mbps.
The Nexus S 4G can also act as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 6 devices.
Last but not least is the NFC capability of the Nexus S 4G or near field communications allowing it to make payments via your cellphone device.
Google and Sprint also announced the possibility for Sprint users to use their current Sprint number for Google’s famous Google Voice system. This will allow Sprint users to have one number accross multiple devices and the Web, all this without having to deal with phone number portability, service interruptions and extra related charges.
This Sprint Google Voice integration means that Google Voice will replace Sprint voicemail, thus allowing missed phone calls to be emailed to a defined mailbox. These emails, will contain audiolinks to missed phone calls.
Personally, I find the merging of Google Voice and Sprint phone service wonderful. This will allow us to stop juggling between different phone numbers and have one contact number, voicemail to handle our busy life schedule. The Nexus S 4G will be available this spring at a price of $199.99 with a two-year contract.
Related links
