HTC and Verizon tops in speedy Android os upgrades

Since the Google android OS continues to updates through the team at Google, many manufacturers and carriers are already less than timely for their efforts to push the newest versions to numerous handsets. In the comparison of handset manufacturers and carriers, compiled by Computerworld, HTC and Verizon take top honors from the recent change to Android 2.2 Froyo.

HTC reportedly pushed Froyo updates to 1 / 2 of its eligible handsets in 2010, while Motorola only were able to upgrade 15.4 % of their devices. Samsung fell in third place with 11.1 % of eligible devices, as Dell, LG and Sony didn't push Froyo to some of their Android handsets.

When comparing the average await Froyo updates to start, Motorola and HTC showed comparable timing with 54.5 and 56 days, respectively. Samsung took over five months between Froyo's release plus the update delivered to phones.

Approaching the results from the carrier perspective, Verizon took the highest spot by updating another of their eligible devices to Froyo before the end of 2010. Sprint wasn't far behind, with 28.6 % of devices, while T-Mobile were able to update one in eight potential handsets. AT&T, however, didn't push Froyo updates to any handsets last year.

Verizon also was the quickest to update handsets, leaving customers to attend typically 58 days, while Sprint and T-Mobile pushed past 3 months.

That remains unclear when the trends continues into 2011, as numerous handsets now await the Android 2.3 Gingerbread release. The comparison offers a look at the 'fragmentation' that's been the topic of criticism over Google's mobile Operating system, because the marketplace is now filled with devices running many different versions and customized variants on the stock OS.

The Google’s ‘Nexus S’ Debuts, but Will Past Missteps be Replicated?

 

Certainly, Google makes some stunning Google android phones and thus expectations are high as the web giant releases their second version of these branded smartphone, the ‘Nexus S.’ Officially occurring sale Thursday in Best Buys nation-wide, the corporation hopes avoiding the fate of the last device, the greatly sexy ‘Nexus One’ that wowed Android fans using its design and specs, but didn't sell in sufficient volumes.

The newest Nexus S certainly looks amazing. Running Android 2.3 (a.k.a. Gingerbread) can make this the first smartphone to run the Android OS’s newest iteration. Furthermore,  the device sports a 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor, 16GB of flash memory, front- and rear-facing cameras in addition to a contoured and curved 4-inch Super AMOLED screen.

Nexus S is usually the first device to support Near Field Communication (NFC), that will allow apps to communicate along with other NFC devices in close proximity. Many mobile analysts expect pay-by-phone apps o get built for this technology, that could allow consumers to pay for physical goods through touching their phone to a compatible payment device in shops.

Unlike the prior Nexus, the newest model will likely be carried in Best Buy stores and also Best Buy Mobile shop. Google certainly learned their lesson on the last time around, as most smartphone consumers need to feel and touch different models to ascertain what works well with them.

The Google nexus one never appeared in shops, instead counting on online sales via a special Google site or via T-Mobile, Google’s carrier of preference. Speaking of T-Mobile, the new model isn't available via AT&T or Verizon, quite a disappointment but is not entirely unexpected.

The Google Nexus S right now on pre-order at Carphone Warehouse

Google Nexus S smartphone is currently for pre-order at Carphone Warehouse.You could grab it sim-free for a rather pricey ?550, or on PAYG with O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone for the similar price but with a ?10 top-up necessary too.

Numerous contracts are offered also, which start from ?35 each month over two years if you need a free phone (on all but the T-Mobile tariff). With O2, your ?35 monthly gets you 900 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB of mobile data.

With Orange, you have 600 minutes, unlimited texts and 750MB of data (however , there are other variations, such as 700 minutes with 500MB of data). Vodafone offers 600 minutes, unlimited texts, and 500MB of data.

Finally, T-Mobile is providing a chunkier package around the ?35 per month deal, with 1200 minutes, 500 texts, and unlimited net (subject to fair usage). However, unlike another networks, the handset would actually amount to on this tariff, although it’s unlikely to break the bank at ?49.

The Nexus S is planned to be unleashed a week on Monday, Dec 20th, even though Carphone Warehouse website states that delivery may be by the “end of December.”

The handset could be the first phone to sport Gingerbread, Android 2.3, along with a 4 inch super-AMOLED screen, a 5mp camera (and front-facing camera for video chatting), including a 1GHz Hummingbird processor.

Nexus S Reveals Amazing Android 2.3 Gingerbread CRT Power-Down

No questioning whether what The CEO "Eric Schmid"  had in his hands these days at the Web 2.0 summit showcasing Android 2.3 Gingerbread was in detail for Samsung Nexus S.

While the manufacturer's name was covered with a black tape, the brief display revealed a lot. For starters, it gave us a sneak peek of Android 2.3 Gingerbread, as well as the handset's carrier T-Mobile.

Eric Schmidt was clever to call the predecessor to the Google Nexus One an "unannounced phone". However thanks to the numerous leaks this week, audiences were well aware of what they were looking at.

Unfortunately we never got any hands-on time with the device but we were able to get close enough to spot a couple of details. For starters, the Samsung Nexus S is very thin, approximately as thin as the iPhone 4 if not thinner. It has a concave design, with the screen area being thinner than the edges. It also feature a glossy trim up front, volume buttons on the left and a plastic rear battery cover.

However the most awesome aspect of the device that caught our attention was not its form factor but the Android Gingerbread Operating System. 

As the CEO was about to walk off the stage, he clicked the power button on the top right corner, putting the Samsung Nexus S into standby mode. With it he revealed the cool new power down feature which resembles that of a CRT shutting off. To see what we mean, check out the video below.