Google Wallet is now appearing for some in the Android Market running the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S with an AT&T SIM. Users can download, install and use the NFC-based service to make mobile payments wherever the service is accepted.
Download Link: Android Market
Source: The Verge and Droid Life
The high costs associated with cellular voice minutes are at the top of consumer complaints when it comes to monthly phone bills. The carriers know that the lowest tier, typically around 450 minutes, is not enough for the average person, so you’re forced to buy up to something with more minutes. Naturally, this next tier offers way more minutes than you actually need, so you lose unused minutes the end of your cycle. And while more cost-effective VoIP services like Skype and Truphone have been around for years, they never caught on with the mainstream consumer as a good day to day usage option. Toktumi’s Line2 service has set out to change that, with the ability to make and receive unlimited calls and texts to the US and Canada by way of a traditional phone number. Line2 lets you use your carrier’s minutes, or through VoIP with either a cellular or WiFi connection. Line2 offers a free trial, and standard plans cost $9.95 per month.
How it works
Line2 works by assigning you a phone number in the area code of your choosing, including the option to port in a number you already own. Use occurs over one of the free Line2 mobile applications, including options for the iPhone, iPad and most Android devices. Other enhanced features such as 20-person conference calls and visual voicemail also come with the service, virtually adding a second phone line to your existing hardware.
Plan Options
Line2 compared to other services
Use and Results
I’m not someone that uses a lot of voice minutes, but when I do, it’s typically on lengthy calls catching up with family and friends. Most of the time, these calls occur in an area where I’ve got a solid WiFi connection. I’ve tried various VoIP services, but have never landed on one that I’ve stuck with and used. I met Line2 CEO Peter Sission at CES, who took the time to explain the product to us in an interview for on TCPJ Unlocked Show #106, and offered us a trial of the service.
Since Line2 provides a traditional landline phone number, I was able to integrate it for both calls and texts into my Google Voice account. The applications for the iPhone, iPad and Android platforms let me install and test the service across multiple devices. While you can’t be logged in on multiple devices at the same time, this flexibility let me choose the most convenient platform for me, which surprisingly was often the iPad.
Making and receiving calls is as easy as using the built in phone app. Running on iOS 5 or Android, the app is always connected in the background, so is extremely reliable, and I never missed a call during my testing. Sound quality is great, as referenced by this test call using on the iPad 2:
It should be noticed that if you use 3G on an iPad or smartphone to make your calls, you’ll still have a decent experience, but the quality is not quite as good as over WiFi. Also, depending on your internet connection, the application does a great job of dynamically altering the quality of the call to the speed of your connection, but this could force it at times down to something that sounds worse than a call over the traditional circuit-switched cellular network.
Overall
Line2 offers plenty of of features and value for its $1o per month starting price. With unlimited calls and texts on top of a simple interface and a traditional phone number, Line2 sets itself apart from the straight VoIP services. If you have multiple devices that support the use of the apps, you can switch your account between them depending on your needs. And because Line2 gives you a phone number, the flexibility to use it with services such as Google Voice or even forward all calls to a separate number make it one of the best options out there for anyone looking to add another line to their device, or simply save money on their phone bill.
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Wilson Electronics announced the Sleek 4G-V at CES this year, the world’s first 4G LTE signal booster. The unit is specifically designed to boost the strength of Verizon Wireless’ LTE service, along with conventional 2G and 3G signals on the 700, 800 and 1900 MHz bands. The Sleek 4G-V will sell for $150 and while designed for use in a vehicle, can be used indoors with the optional accessory pack. The Wilson 4G-V will be available in the second quarter from most Wilson resellers. The device used in this review was provided by Wilson.
Manufacturer installation demonstration video
In the Box
Optional Home/Office Accessory Kit
Full Description (from Wilson)
The Sleek 4G-V – Get peak cellular performance in your vehicle for all phones including Verizon Wireless® LTE devices.
Now there’s a mobile signal booster for those using Verizon Wireless® LTE devices – the Sleek 4G-V from Wilson Electronics. This powerful signal booster helps you stay connected by providing a strong reliable signal in weak-signal areas, reducing lost connections and speeding data rates. It boosts both voice and data communication – making it perfect for phones and wireless WiFi hotspots like the Verizon JetPack™.
The Sleek 4G-V works with all devices on all conventional 2G and 3G networks,* as well as the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Wilson signal boosters feature cell site protection technologies refined over more than a decade of research and development. Optional indoor accessory kit allows use at home or in the office. FCC type accepted.
Specifications
Installation
Installing the Sleek 4G-V in a vehicle is a 3 step process.
First, install the outside magnet mount antenna. The location should be in the center of the vehicle’s roof, 12 inches away from other antennas, and at least 6 inches away from the side windows or sunroof. Route the coax cable from into the vehicle through a door, trunk or tailgate opening, running it under the door seal if possible for less wear and tear on the cable and a more professional look.
Next, choose a location inside your vehicle where you’d like to mount the cradle/signal booster. Use the included mounting bracket (or optional accessory kit) to adhere the cradle to your chosen location, using the alcohol prep pad to clean the area before installing.
Finally, attach the coax cable, and mini USB power adapter and ensure that the green light on the left side of the Sleek 4G-V is on. This light ensures that the booster is functioning properly.
Installing in a home or office is fairly similar, it just requires the use of the optional accessory kit.
First, mount the suction cup bracket to a window or some sort of structure located as close to an exterior wall as possible. I chose to use the side of my desk next to a window.
Next, place the cradle mount in a convenient location, such as on your desk or a cabinet. Hook in the Sleek 4GV cradle and connect the antenna and power cables.
Finally, place your phone, USB stick, or MiFi in the cradle, and watch as bars rise!
Use and Results
Through the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to test out a number of signal boosting products from various companies. Wilson continues to be at the top of my list of recommendations for reliable, consistent products that are fairly easy to install, but more importantly, work well. The 4G-V is no different. I’ve been using the original Sleek in my personal vehicle for the last 15 months, and without it, I wouldn’t hold phone calls or keep data streaming on my iPhone.
Now, with Verizon’s new 4G LTE network maturing throughout the Phoenix area, I have been looking for a solution to increase my data speeds on my USB modem. The Wilson Sleek 4G-V fills this need perfectly with ability to use it either in my office, or in my car. Thanks to its simple 3 part system, it can also be moved from place to place, and even comes with a travel carrying case.
In recent testing, I’ve found that the LTE signal in my office is not very strong. dBm readings on pretty much any device hover in the mid -100′s, and occasionally devices will fall back to the Verizon 3G network. Testing out the Sleek in this same area, my signal strength shot up to a very respectable -74dBm using the Sleek connected to a Cradlepoint to create a hotspot.
Plugging the USB modem directly into my laptop typically shows 2 bars. Above is an image of the VZAccess software without the 4G-V.
Immediately upon putting the USB modem into the cradle, the bars jump to 3 (as seen above).
For speedtest comparison purposes, the top 2 tests (at 7:27pm) were done without the 4G-V, and the bottom 2 tests (at 7:25pm) were with it. Note the delta between the first and last is 6Mbps on the download side, and 1.5Mbps on the upload. Yes, 10Mbps is still very good, but a 50% increase makes it great.
Overall
Like the original Wilson Sleek, I’m happy to recommend the Sleek 4G-V as an economical and effective passive signal amplifier for either in-vehicle or home/office use. The easy installation and universal nature make this a good option for most people, and the 4G amplification for Verizon LTE bands makes this the first of its kind in the market.
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Charging phones while in a vehicle is something many people do each day, but the introduction of tablets brings another factor to the mix, higher amperage requirements. Devices such as the Apple iPad and BlackBerry Playbook need 2.1AMPs to charge, and most car chargers max out at 1AMP. With the Monaco 3.1AMP Extreme Charge Car Power adapter, you plug the adapter into your vehicle’s DC power outlet, and can charge 2 devices via USB at the same time. The first port offers 2.1AMPs for fast charging for phones, and enough to top up your tablet. The second delivers 1AMP, and charges most phones, including iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices*. The product used in this review was provided by, and is available for $14.95 on WirelessGround.com.
Usage
Driving up to Las Vegas for the 2012 Consumer Electronics show was the perfect time to try out the adapter as we traversed the Arizona desert. Between two of us, we had 2 iPads, an iPhone, a Nexus S, an HTC HD7, a BlackBerry and an iPod Touch. Keeping the iPads topped up was the primary focus, and the Extreme Charge worked perfectly. Plus, we were able to swap the phones out with usb cables to keep each of them charged along the way. Charging of the iPad seemed about 20% slower than with the OEM provided charger, but this is about the same as the experience charging it with the 2.1AMP ZAGG Sparq.
Overall
The Monaco 3.1AMP Extreme Charge Car Power Adapter is perfect for someone that needs to charge more than one device at a time, including a tablet such as the iPad. Never worry again about running out of power on your iPad while on a roadtrip, or charge it back up quickly as you head from one site to another.
*The Monaco 3.1AMP Extreme Charge Car Power Adapter is compatible with the Apple iPad, iPad 2, iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, BlackBerry PlayBook and most other USB supported smartphones, tablets and handheld devices.
Walking the trade show floor all day at CES, staying connected is one of the most important things on a tech blogger’s mind. Sure, the 3G/4G connection in your smartphone is great, but what if your network is overloaded, and you’re without a plan B? This situation happened to me during CES 2011, where my iPhone 4 on AT&T was little more than a paperweight through most of Las Vegas. As it turns out, not only are there a lot of people using the AT&T’s network as subscribers here in the states, but with all the international attendees pushing their GSM roaming traffic through them as well, the network could not keep up with the demand. So this year, I’m taking the situation into my own hands, and have a homemade portable extended-life hotspot that I’ll have with me at all times. Now before you say “couldn’t you get the same results with a MiFi with multiple batteries”, the answer is yes, but I think my solution is more useful. It has the flexibility to work under a variety of circumstances, and many of the pieces to the solution are useful apart from this configuration, and will be used for 2 or 3 different duties during the week. So as we dive into CES week, here’s an in-depth look at how Joey and I plan to stay connected at CES 2012.
Hardware involved
Connection
I’ve been using the Verizon LG VL600 4G LTE modem since late summer, and am constantly impressed with Verizon’s solid LTE connection and great coverage. Last year during CES, I had along the same LG VL600 modem, but at the time, only Windows drivers were available, and I used it only in the hotel for file uploads. Initial speeds that were in the 30Mbps download range have settled down a bit, but I generally see 10+Mbps on the down side, and 3-5Mbps on the up. For my purposes, this is plenty fast for checking email, reading news feeds, and posting website content.
As a backup, I also have my Verizon BlackBerry Curve 8330 with Modem Mode Enabled. This serves as a good backup when the LTE stick is unavailable.
CradlePoint PHS300
I’ve mentioned my interest in CradlePoint products many times, as they offer a great way to share an existing 3G/4G connection with up to 32 devices. Though support for CradlePoint devices was not available at launch, a few months after the release of LTE USB modems, Mac drivers became available, and CradlePont support arrived. Using the modem in conjunction with the CradlePoint PHS300 is my ultimate mobile setup. The CradlePoint allows me the flexibility to plug in nearly any USB modem, or many different types of smartphones that allow tethering. Both the VL600 and the Curve 8330 I mentioned below are supported, so I have two choices for the connection.
Use is very simple, just plug in the device to the USB connection, and use either the battery, or a wall plug to power the unit. Battery life on the 1800mAh replaceable battery is limited to about 2 hours, so plan ahead.
ZAGGsparq 2.0
The ZAGGsparq 2.0 comes in for our power needs. With 6,000 mAh of juice, the ZAGGsparq allows for charging via a 1 or 2.1 Amp USB connection. The AC adapter for the CradlePoint puts out 2.5 Amps, but the 2.1 Amps on the ZAGGsparq works just fine in our setup. Thanks to ZAGG, I have 3 of these units, which should help me easily get through the 18 hour days with this setup and the power on to the CradlePoint constantly. I’m thinking the stress on the LTE network and the general use that we’re expecting to get out of the modem should have each one last about 6 hours. See below for more about my initial tests.
Z4 DC Power Cable with G4 5.5×2.5mm tip
One of the hardest things to find in the setup was a way to connect the CradePoint to the ZAGGsparq. The connection is a 5.5×2.5mm tip, which is not as easy to find as I would have expected. Through quite a bit of searching (and one failed “that might work” Amazon order), I found the correct cable with changeable tip through bixnet. $10 later, I was in business.
USB Patch Cable
A simple patch cable used to get the LTE stick away from the CradlePoint.
Putting it all together
Now that I have the CradlePoint, ZAGGsparq, USB modem, Z4 power cable and USB patch cable, the Neoprene iPad case with pockets comes into play. This is a lot of stuff to carry around all day, but put it all in a case, and it becomes a lot more manageable. The case I found has 2 pockets on the front, which allows me to put the CradlePoint in one side, and the LTE stick and ZAGGsparq in the other. I used the Z4 power cable and the USB patch cable to connect the 2 sides through small holes I cut in the corner of each pocket. Plug it all together, flip the CradlePoint on, and you’ve got yourself a charging, powered extended-life hotspot.
Real world use
While the setup sounds good in theory, how does it work in the real world? Hopefully, pretty well! My initial control tests for battery life saw a combination up-time for a fully charged internal CradlePoint and ZAGG battery at 10 hours and 21 minutes. While the Mediaroom WiFi at CES can’t be beat for overall speed, when on the show floor, in the hotel and just generally around Las Vegas, having my mobile hotspot with over 10 hours of battery life should allow use of a functional iPhone, iPad or Laptop anywhere we go. More to come throughout the week with this setup.
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Almost one year ago to the day, I took a look at one of Microsoft’s new Windows Phone 7 devices, the Samsung Focus. I determined that while it had a simple and friendly UI, the OS wasn’t really ready for the power mobile device user. Rather, I liked Windows Phone as a good choice for those just entering the smartphone market. Then in mid-2011, Microsoft announced new features for the platform, coming in the form of Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, a huge update for the platform that introduced over 500 new features. All of the first generation hardware is able to take advantage of the new software, which is free to everyone with a WP7 device. So what actually came in the release, and is it enough to now call Windows Phone one of the top 3 smartphone operating systems? I used the T-Mobile HD7 running late latest Windows Phone 7.5 version for my review.
Requirements for Mango
As it was with the original Windows Phone launch, all of the 2011 hardware is very similarly spec’ed with minimum requirements that creates a consistent experience. All Windows Phone 7.5 devices include a Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, DirectX graphics hardware support with hardware acceleration for Direct3D, minimum of 384MB of RAM, 4GB of flash memory or more, WVGA (800 x 480) display resolution, 3.5mm headphone jack, microUSB 2.0, WiFi b and g with n being optional, FM radio, Bluetooth and the usual four sensors.
With over 500 new features in the Mango update, many of them are under the hood, and won’t effect the user’s experience. Here are eleven of the most prominent changes worth noting:
Multitasking
The non-multitasking nature of the initial Windows Phone build has been rectified, and users can now switch apps and keep things like games, internet music or social networking apps going while they do other tasks. A long press of the back button pulls up the most recent open apps in a thumbnail view. Not all apps are compatible to multitask however, so this is still a work in progress feature that will only get better as more apps are updated.
Message Threading
Mango has updated the way messages work, allowing for threading of multiple types of messages by contact. This means that all emails, texts and instant messages can now be seen together, grouped by contact. In theory, this sounds like a useful feature, but my compartmentalized brain rarely used it, instead, jumping to the separate messaging or inbox to see find messages from a specific person.
Group Support
Grouping of family and friends together in People is a unique and excellent addition. It allows for texts or emails to be sent to a large group, along with viewing status updates and the latest photos posted by the members. The function is great for families, allowing a simple effective way to see what’s happening in that slice of your life.
Inbox Linking
Multiple inboxes can be viewed simultaneously through what is called Linked inbox. Like iOS, Android and BlackBerry, all your inboxes flow into one screen when enabled, making it much easier to manage if you’re used to seeing all accounts together. I appreciated the incorporation of this, and it changed my use of email exclusively to the one Linked inbox tile on my home screen.
Voice Actions
Voice commands and dictation are available in messaging. While nice to have, and although it works fairly quick and accurately, it’s no Siri.
Applications
Users can now see apps in search results, along with the Music, Video and Picture Hubs. Live tiles have been improved, making them more dynamic, and offering additional information to the user.
IE9
Internet Explorer 9 has been added, and offers an experience that is closer to that of iOS or Android. Pulling up web pages with graphics is fast, and when switching from the mobile version to the full site content renders nicely. There is no flash though, so embedded files or other media will not however be displayed.
Bing
Bing Vision, Voice and Music search join the standard search, which has been improved for better results. Bing Maps will continue to be the mapping solution for the OS, but Nokia Maps will used in Nokia handsets. A QR scanner is built into the search function too.
Web based Windows Phone Marketplace
Users can now shop, download and share apps with a new web based Windows Phone Marketplace. The service lets you choose to send an app directly to your device over the air from your PC. A nice way to get apps to your phone without having to connect a cable.
Internet Sharing
One of my favorite features of Android and iOS is the ability to share your internet connection with a simple swipe to turn it on. Windows Phone now offers internet sharing as well, letting you choose to share your connection with up to 5 users. The service is also smart, and will turn itself off if not used for a few minutes.
Connecting to hidden WiFi networks
One of the very first gripes I had with Windows Phone was the inability to connect to hidden WiFi networks. Many individuals and organizations choose to hide WiFi networks for security purposes, and the ability now to connect to them is a welcome addition.
Overall
Those that have used Windows Phone for the last year will appreciate what Microsoft has put into this update. Android, iOS and even BlackBerry users will still look inquisitively at the live tiles, mesmerized by the animations. For a platform that really only has a few percentage points of marketshare right now, Windows Phone 7 really is starting to get an impressive amount of third-party developers engaged in the platform. The main apps for most users are ready and waiting for you to download onto a WP7 device.
Yet, when it comes right down to it, if you’re entrenched, happy with and fluent in using your DROID or iPhone, there’s a good chance Windows Phone 7 is still not going to do it for you. As an platform agnostic device user, I can appreciate all that has gone into the new build, and am excited to see Microsoft continue to enrich and enhance the OS. But, due to enterprise adoption of BlackBerries and general angst by consumers toward the Windows brand, I believe WP7 will continue to be the number 4 smartphone platform through 2012.
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I mentioned in my recent review of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus some issues with the LTE connectivity on the device. While speed tests in good coverage areas were impressive, I noted the following:
…the upload side was a tad low…around 1Mbps or less. Further, the latency was in the 150ms range, which is higher than what I’m used to with LTE. I also noticed fewer bars, and also less signal strength compared to a DROID Charge, HTC Thunderbolt and a LTE USB stick. This also meant that I was in 3G coverage vs. 4G more when compared to these other devices. Other reviewers have had similar results with the device, and the general consensus is that the device is not as strong RF wise as other devices on the Verizon network.
After digging in this morning with an HTC Thunderbolt and a DROID Charge, I was taken aback by just how big the discrepancy was with signal strength on not one, but two comparison devices. Over 35 dBm difference for both devices. First, the DROID Charge:
Sitting side by side, the Charge shows four bars of service, and -70 dBm in Signal Strength while the Nexus has just one bar, and -107 dBm. Next, the HTC Thunderbolt:
Again, side by side, the Thunderbolt shows four bars and -71 dBm, while the Nexus is at one bar and -107 dBm.
When running speed tests, the Nexus actually performs relatively well, but is still well below what the other devices can pull. First, the Nexus:
Sure, 167ms pings, 8Mbps DL’s and 1.2Mbps UL’s are good, but not that great. When compared to the Charge, everything improves:
So, what’s going 0n here? As most have noted, there are definite RF issues with the Nexus. While it may not impact the general day to day for most people, if you’re in a fringe LTE area, there’s a good chance you’re going to run into issues. No word if this is a Nexus hardware issue, or something related to Ice Cream Sandwich. Hopefully though, it’s something that can be fixed with software.
AnandTech points out something with this, that the dBm reported on the Nexus is for 4G LTE, while the Charge and the Thunderbolt are for 3G data. Switch the Nexus over to 3G, and the dBm reported jumps up to near the reported level of the other devices. Still doesn’t explain the speed and coverage discrepancies I’ve seen, but it’s nice to have some light shed on why the dBm spread was so large.
Verizon Monday acknowledged the issue, saying:
The signal strength issue is currently being investigated. We don’t have an ETA, but a software update is being developed.
Verizon Wireless spokesperson Brenda Raney told Computerworld Wednesday that the update
“…will adjust the signal strength indicator to more closely match other Verizon Wireless devices.”
Source: VZWSupport – Twitter via Droid Life
Following a November release internationally, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus finally went on sale through its exclusive US partner Verizon on December 15th. After months of speculation, and weeks after the HSPA unlocked model was released, the 4G LTE enabled version brings some slight hardware and software differences. Like its GSM based sibling, the Nexus is the first carrier-available device with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It ushers in a new era of Android smartphones, and is the benchmark for all Android handsets in 2012. Comparing the two models, most of the specs are the same, including a 4.65-inch HD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, and 1GB of memory. Available through Verizon Wireless for $299.99 with a new two-year contract. The Galaxy Nexus used in this review was provided by Verizon Wireless.
What’s in the Box
Specifications
First impressions
After reviewing the HSPA+ version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, I didn’t expect much of a change from the Verizon model. While on the surface it seems nearly identical to the unlocked/unbranded version, the Verizon model has a few key differences.
Thickness
As we’ve known from the announcement, the LTE-enabled version is thicker than the unlocked model. Though there’s an interesting comment about this, it makes the phone more comfortable to hold and use. The thinness of the HSPA model certainly is striking, but as I mentioned multiple times during my review of it, doesn’t translate to comfort. The added depth of the Verizon model is welcomed, and I am happier with the feel.
Speed
Using the LTE network on Verizon has always been enjoyable for me, and the experience with the Galaxy Nexus is pretty much the same. During my initial tests of the LTE, the upload side was a tad low…around 1Mbps or less. Further, the latency was in the 150ms range, which is higher than what I’m used to with LTE. I also noticed fewer bars, and also less signal strength compared to a DROID Charge, HTC Thunderbolt and a LTE USB stick. This also meant that I was in 3G coverage vs. 4G more when compared to these other devices. Other reviewers have had similar results with the device, and the general consensus is that the device is not as strong RF wise as other devices on the Verizon network.
Signal concerns aside, when you are connected, speeds ultimately are very good. I ran over 50 speed tests during the course of a few days, and was easily able to bury the speedtest.net app needle above 20Mbps, even with only 2 bars of service.
Other changes to the Verizon variant include volume rocker buttons that are much more tactile than the GSM model, 32GB of internal memory vs. 16GB and a microSIM slot vs. the miniSIM used internationally.
Hardware Overview
The overall look of the Verizon model is largely the same as the international version. The color is the same, the materials are the same, and looking at the devices from the front, you’ll see no distinguishable variance. However, turn them over, and you’ll see the Verizon model has added .02 inches, and once picked up, you’ll feel the .03 of a pound weight increase. Going back to the initial impression, I am actually OK with these changes, and found the device more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. It’s like they got the extra curves in the right places with the LTE model, and between the two, I’d rather have the thickness and weight for my day to day device.
Yet even with the slight improvements in size and weight, I still had a hard time with the size of the phone. 4.65 inches just feels too big for a phone, and really boarders on tablet size territory. My primary concern when using a phone is one handed usage, and the Nexus is not an easy device to use with just one hand. I will say that during the time between my unlocked Nexus and the Verizon Nexus, I did feel cramped using the iPhone 4S again. However, once I picked it back up with the Verizon unit, I still wanted something smaller. I am starting to form some strong opinions that a 4-inch phone is the optimal size. If I really want more screen real estate, I want to have much more, not just a little. This means a tablet for me, and not just another inch on the phone.
Data Usage and Battery
Using the LTE Nexus for just a few days, and am starting to get worried about capped LTE data plans. While I was doing a ton of testing, particularly with speed tests, I hit my 1GB warning mark in less than 48 hours of use. The nice thing about having an Android 4.0 device though, is that the Data Usage menu allows for easy tracking of where your data is going, and you can plan accordingly.
After a few days of use, I can tell you that the battery is going to be fine for most people, but still on par with what you find from most LTE devices. Basically, if you’re judicious in your use, you make it from 8am to 8pm, otherwise, plan to charge it during the day. At 1850 mAh, the battery is bigger than most Android devices, but so is the screen. A glance at the battery usage in the settings shows the display using well over 50% of the battery.
WiFi Connectivity
WiFi connectivity is present in the form of dual-band WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and 802.11 a/n at 5 GHz. WiFi works fine on 2.4GHz but the 5GHz is just not good. The coverage is poor, and I wasn’t able to move more than two rooms away from my router before the signal dropped out or was unusable. This is the exact same issue I experienced on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, and the BlackBerry Bold 9930. Seems that phone WiFi power isn’t enough to make the higher frequency worth using.
Phone
The Galaxy Nexus is likely a device you’ll be using more for data than voice, but as a phone, you’ll be just fine. The device is large, so holding it to your head feels a bit strange at first. However, like the Nexus S before it, the curved glass screen feels very comfortable on your face, and I was able to quickly adapt in the few test calls I made. Sound quality was clear, and the dual-microphones work well for cancelling out noise.
Front: 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display. Speaker, light sensor and 1.3MP camera are at the top. LED is at the bottom. No buttons are on the front face, as the software buttons of the OS appear as needed.
Left side: Volume rocker keys
Top side: Blank
Right side: Power/unlock button with 3 contacts for charging or car docks.
Bottom side: 3.5mm headset jack, microphone and microUSB port
Back side: 5.1MP continuous auto-focus camera with 1080p video recording and LED flash. Speaker at the bottom.
Under the cover: SIM slot and 1850 mAh batter
Camera
Matt Miller said it best – “Have to say that the Galaxy Nexus camera impressed me…in typical photo situations.” I won’t be replacing the iPhone 4S with the Nexus for camera use anytime soon, but in most situations, you’ll be just fine. Below are a few photos taken with the Nexus, including the street sign which is zoomed in all the way. Click through on each to see them full size.
Software/Features
After three years of Android, version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich bridges the gap between the Honeycomb tablet OS, and Gingerbread on the phone. There are a number of things you’ll immediately notice, including the lack of physical capacitive buttons, and a missing applications button. Across the bottom of screens when you need them now are: Back, Home and Multitasking buttons.
The old app button has been replaced by an app icon in the middle of the 4 customizable buttons on the bottom. A nice addition too is the ability to make folders, which when in use, show small icons of the apps inside, cascading backwards from newest to oldest. Roll all this in with the new Roboto font, and the look of ICS is much different and refined. Finally, the speed of the OS is quite nice, taking full advantage of the 1.2Ghz dual-core processor inside.
Though, it’s still not perfect, and there are small things that still lack consistency. For example, the menu/settings are now represented by 3 dots. These dots either show up on the top right of the navigation bar, or sometimes at the bottom. There are multiple ways to do things too, that may not make things easier. Like, when using the notifications bar that swipes down from the top, you can either hit the “X” to clear all notifications, or swipe each one away individually. Then there’s the multitasking. It’s nice to be able to swipe apps out of the list, but I was a bit surprised to see that it doesn’t actually close the app.
I realized something after using the phone for a week that I never have before with Android. The UI layers like Sense or Motoblur can actually help with the experience of the device. I know, sounds crazy right? But here’s the thing, when you’re trying to configure or customize, you sometimes have to really dig in to do so. I got led down one such rabbit hole trying to configure SIPDroid appropriately, and ended up abandoning the proicess and deleting the app. Settings in the app, settings in the OS, and sometimes just too many options make for a confusing and frustrating experience if you don’t have a real solid understanding of the OS. And sadly, while I review a fair number of Android devices, the changes in ICS did take a while to get used to, and even after a few weeks, and 2 different Nexus’, I still am not comfortable. Bottom line, the hardware manufacturers really know that you may not be a Cell Phone Junkie, and so they’re going to make it as easy as possible to get the phone up and running with great features and functions out of the box. And you know what, I’m starting to think they’re right.
As far as differences between the LTE and international device in software, look for a few pieces of Verizon software. Verizon has added the Verizon Backup Assistant, and My Verizon Mobile to the phone. Good news though, both of these can be disabled in the app settings, and you’ll never have to see them again.
Overall
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is far and away the best Android experience on any device to date. At $300, the device is more than the iPhone 4S at the cheapest price, but the same when you bump up to the 32GB model. If you’re looking for speed, then choosing the LTE enabled model from Verizon makes this an easy choice. As a phone, the footprint is too big for my taste, but if you want the latest hardware, unmodified software, and the purest Android experience out there the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is quite possibly going to be the best Android handset for the foreseeable future.
Full Gallery
After reviewing the HSPA+ version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, I now have the Verizon model in for comparison. While nearly identical to the unlocked/unbranded version, the Verizon model has a few key differences.
Thickness
As we’ve known from the announcement, the LTE-enabled version is thicker than the unlocked model. Though there’s an interesting comment about this, it makes the phone more comfortable to hold and use. The thinness of the HSPA model certainly is striking, but as I mentioned multiple times during my review of it, doesn’t translate to comfort. The added depth of the Verizon model is welcomed, and I am happier with the feel.
Speed
Using the LTE network on Verizon has always been enjoyable for me, and the experience with the Galaxy Nexus is pretty much the same. While the speeds on the download side are around 10Mbps, the upload side was a tad low…around 1Mbps or less. Further, the latency was in the 150ms range, which is higher than what I’m used to with LTE. Granted, most of the tests were done in the same location, so I’ll need more tests to see if there’s a real issue here.
Bottom Line
After using the HSPA+ model of the Galaxy Nexus for a week, I still found it too big for my taste, and opted to sell it while I could still get a good return on my purchase price. Matt Miller of ZDNet presents a very compelling argument about why the iPhone 4S may be a better choice for some people. I tend to agree, as the size for me was the factor that pushed me back to the iPhone. However, with just a day of use with the slightly thicker Verizon model, I feel a bit different about this model, and time will tell if it is enough to sway me back.
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus has been the most hotly anticipated Android handset in late 2011. The new Nexus is also the first to ship with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and ushers in a new era of Android smartphones, poised to be the benchmark for all Android phones in 2012. Announced in October, the device features all the latest specs, including a huge 4.65-inch HD display, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, and amazingly will be an exclusive device on Verizon in the US. But does all this hype and gushing add up to a device worth buying? Is it really that much better than say an iPhone or other Android smartphone? We’ll answer these, plus many other questions. Coming soon to Verizon, and available unlocked and unbranded for around $700 through various online retailers. The Galaxy Nexus used in this review was purchased by The Cell Phone Junkie.
What’s in the Box
Specifications
First impressions
After much contemplation and searching for the best deal, I finally pulled the trigger through Negri Electronics. The price, a whopping $730. Fortunately, I was able to grab a coupon code which saved me $35, and the shipping was free. However, $700 still stings a bit when you’re talking about a world with $200 on-contract iPhone 4S’s.
On the service side, with the pentaband HSPA support, I could have easily used my active iPhone SIM in the device, but I wanted to get the full experience of using both the iPhone 4S and Galaxy Nexus side by side. So, as we’ve talked about over the past few months, I opted for the Walmart/T-Mobile $30 Monthly4G special. For $30 per month, the prepaid no-contract plan offers Unlimited web (4G speeds capped at 5GB), Unlimited texts and 100 minutes. This plan was perfect for how I was going to use the device (ie, all data). While it required me to purchase a phone to get the SIM and activation code, the $30 handset was a small price to pay to get prepaid, cancel at any time 4G service on the device.
Back to Negri Electronics, if you’re looking for a place to purchase the Nexus, I highly recommend Negri. They worked with me late into the afternoon one day to place my order, and the device was shipped free out of their location in Las Vegas, and I had it the next day. I can’t emphasize enough how important customers service is for situations like this, and Negri really came through. Kudos guys!
On to the phone – as I’ve been a longtime iPhone user, picking up Android devices whether for review purposes, or personal use is always a shock. The device is significantly larger than the iPhone, though at 4.65 inches, it doesn’t feel as big as I thought it would.
The weight is slightly less than the iPhone, but the larger footprint distributes it more. Overall, the phone feels lighter than you expect, which helps offset how big it is. The screen is gorgeous, and at 720p resolution, it is one of the best parts of the phone. On a pixel by pixel basis, it’s not quite as good as the iPhone’s retina display, but for the average user, you’re not going to notice. Some say the pentile nature of it detracts from the experience, but I’m telling you, you’re not going to notice it. Overall, I’ve never seen such a vibrant, beautiful display on a device this large, it’s wonderful.
One of the other things I checked out first with the device was the camera. It’s not as good as you want, but it’s not that bad. I’m jaded now with the iPhone 4S camera, which as a benchmark can’t be met by the Nexus. Though, some of the features like zero shutter-lag and panorama mode made the iPhone’s features look weak.
Finally, Ice Cream Sandwich was a big part of the allure of this device, and it is truly Android all grown up. I’m not here to tell you that it’s perfect, and I’m not even going to say its better than iOS. What I will say though, is that after only a few hours of use, the overall experience is much more fluid, consistent, and fun. ICS will make switching to Android from other platforms easier than ever.
Phone/Data
The Galaxy Nexus is likely a device you’ll be using more for data than voice, but as a phone, you’ll be just fine. Again, the device is large, so holding it to your head feels a bit strange at first. However, like the Nexus S before it, the curved glass screen feels very comfortable on your face, and I was able to quickly adapt in the few test calls I made. Sound quality was clear, and the dual-microphones work well for cancelling out noise.
On the data side, things worked very well. Using the T-Mobile prepaid 4G SIM was nearly flawless. When out and about, I had HSPA most of the time, and 3G during the rest. Fortunately, I am able to supplement my use at home and work with WiFi, as these two areas were EDGE only for me on T-Mobile.
Running speed tests on the device over a few days found fairly consistent download speeds, but wide ranging upload marks. The range on the download varied from 3Mbps, to just over 6Mbps, and between a pitiful 185Kbps and nearly 3Mbps up.
WiFi connectivity is present in the form of dual-band WiFi: 802.11 b/g/n at 2.4 GHz and 802.11 a/n at 5 GHz. WiFi works fine on 2.4GHz but the 5GHz is just not good. The coverage is poor, and I wasn’t able to move more than two rooms away from my router before the signal dropped out or was unusable. This is the exact same issue I experienced on the Sprint Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch, and the BlackBerry Bold 9930. Seems that phone WiFi power isn’t enough to make the higher frequency worth using.
Hardware
I’m just going to come right out and say it; I had a hard time with the size of the phone from the moment I picked it up. At 4.65 inches, some reviews have said it doesn’t feel too big due to the smaller bezel. I however, tend to disagree. My primary concern is one handed usage, and the Nexus is not an easy device to use with just one hand. During my review of the device, I spent an entire day traveling, and to me, it’s important to use the phone with one hand while schlepping through an airport, or to check in on things during the few minutes between meetings. I forced myself to keep the iPhone 4S in my pocket as much as possible, but honestly I switched back and forth quite a bit. It’s not that I can’t hold the phone without 2 hands, its just that the size makes it feel less secure, and I don’t like using the thumb on the hand I’m holding it with for anything other than device support/control. I also walk around with my phone in my hand a lot. The larger size is awkward for me to do this, and I don’t like it. Unless you’ve got larger than normal hands, plan to reposition the device often, as you can’t hold it in one position and do much with just one hand.
Here’s the best way I can compare it, the device is a lot like an SUV. The size is nice for certain tasks, but overall, it’s overkill for everyday use. Sure, you’ll get used to the size over time, but if I’m comfortable with a certain form factor, and it’s what I like, why shoehorn the bigger size into my life?
Outside of the size complaint, the Galaxy Nexus is a superb piece of hardware. If you’ve used the Nexus S in the past, you’ll see a lot of similarities, in a large, slimmer design. The overall feel of the phone is quite solid, and once you get the back cover snapped into place, it’s incredibly nice to hold.
The exterior case of the device is all plastic, which keeps the phone light, but does make it feel less like a $700 device. A metal chassis inside however gives the device strong support, and most of the time, I had no issue with the materials or general build. The thinness of the phone is only hampered by the chin on the lower 1/8 of the backside. This is where you’ll find the microphone, microUSB port, headset jack and speaker. With a device as thin as the Nexus, they needed somewhere to put all these components, so the lower portion of the backside was the answer.
Using the Nexus for a week, and have a very good idea of how the battery will stand up. Basically, like many other smartphones today, if you’re judicious in your use, you make it from 8am to 8pm, otherwise, plan to charge it during the day. At 1,750 mAh, the battery is bigger than most Android devices, but so is the screen. A glance at the battery usage in the settings shows the display using a full 50% of the battery.
Maybe I just haven’t spent much time typing on Android devices, or maybe it’s just Samsung devices, but the haptic feedback nearly had me sending the phone back within the first 24 hours. It’s hard to describe, but it feels cheap, and childlike even. The Galaxy Nexus is such an elegant phone, and I’m not a fan of the cheesy feeling vibrations. Plus, it can’t keep up with my typing and just feels like a hot vibrating mess.
Front: 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display. Speaker, light sensor and 1.3MP camera are at the top. LED is at the bottom. No buttons are on the front face, as the software buttons of the OS appear as needed.
Left side: Volume rocker keys
Top side: Blank
Right side: Power/unlock button with 3 contacts for charging or car docks.
Bottom side: 3.5mm headset jack, microphone and microUSB port
Back side: 5.1MP continuous auto-focus camera with 1080p video recording and LED flash. Speaker at the bottom.
Under the cover: SIM slot and 1750 mAh batter
Camera
Matt Miller said it best – “Have to say that the Galaxy Nexus camera impressed me…in typical photo situations.” I won’t be replacing the iPhone 4S with the Nexus for camera use anytime soon, but in most situations, you’ll be just fine. Below are a few photos taken with the Nexus, including the street sign which is zoomed in all the way. Click through on each to see them full size.
Software/Features
After three years of Android, version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich bridges the gap between the Honeycomb tablet OS, and Gingerbread on the phone. There are a number of things you’ll immediately notice, including the lack of physical capacitive buttons, and a missing applications button. Across the bottom of screens when you need them now are: Back, Home and Multitasking buttons.
The old app button has been replaced by an app icon in the middle of the 4 customizable buttons on the bottom. A nice addition too is the ability to make folders, which when in use, show small icons of the apps inside, cascading backwards from newest to oldest. Roll all this in with the new Roboto font, and the look of ICS is much different and refined. Finally, the speed of the OS is quite nice, taking full advantage of the 1.2Ghz dual-core processor inside.
Though, it’s still not perfect, and there are small things that still lack consistency. For example, the menu/settings are now represented by 3 dots. These dots either show up on the top right of the navigation bar, or sometimes at the bottom. There are multiple ways to do things too, that may not make things easier. Like, when using the notifications bar that swipes down from the top, you can either hit the “X” to clear all notifications, or swipe each one away individually. Then there’s the multitasking. It’s nice to be able to swipe apps out of the list, but I was a bit surprised to see that it doesn’t actually close the app.
I realized something after using the phone for a week that I never have before with Android. The UI layers like Sense or Motoblur can actually help with the experience of the device. I know, sounds crazy right? But here’s the thing, when you’re trying to configure or customize, you sometimes have to really dig in to do so. I got led down one such rabbit hole trying to configure SIPDroid appropriately, and ended up abandoning the proicess and deleting the app. Settings in the app, settings in the OS, and sometimes just too many options make for a confusing and frustrating experience if you don’t have a real solid understanding of the OS. And sadly, while I review a fair number of Android devices, the changes in ICS did take a while to get used to, and even after a week, I still wasn’t comfortable. Bottom line, the hardware manufacturers really know that you may not be a Cell Phone Junkie, and so they’re going to make it as easy as possible to get the phone up and running with great features and functions out of the box. And you know what, I’m starting to think they’re right.
Overall
The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is far and away the best Android experience on any device to date. The difficult thing about choosing the device for HSPA is that currently, you have to shell out over $700 to make it happen. Verizon will be selling the device very soon, but at $300, it’s a hard sell for some when the iPhone starts at $200.
But lets be real, if you’re interested in the Galaxy Nexus, you’re not looking for a “deal”, you’re looking for the most pure Google Android experience out there, and you want to know that your device is going to get the first updates moving forward. The software isn’t perfect, and the screen is too big for my taste, but if you’ve got the money, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is quite possibly going to be the best Android handset for the foreseeable future.
Full Gallery
Mickey Papillon
Joey Koppes