Google's Nexus S

The Nexus S is the latest gem from the Nexus series phone from Google. The manufacturer of the previous Nexus One, HTC, is exchanged for the Samsung Nexus S. This powerhouse 1GHz runs as the first Smartphone to the latest version of Android, 2.3 (Gingerbread). The phone since the first quarter of this year, this time to take a good Smartphone under the microscope. What makes this Smartphone into a Google phone?

The first impression you get from the device right out of the box is that the screen is enormous. Like the current competition (Optimums 2X LG, Samsung S Galaxy), it has a 4-inch capacitive touch display. Only Desire HD has a larger screen, which is 4.3 inches. The colors of the Super AMOLED screen popping out. That is surely one of the pros over Superrich. The unit is very light feel in the hand; therefore it weighs only 129 grams. This is partly due to the materials used. Compared to other smart phones like little metal used for the exterior of the device.

In front of the unit are located below the screen are four capacitive buttons. Google has one of the buttons in other devices slightly different order, with left to right: return, options, search and home. Above the screen is a VGA (640x480) front facing camera for video calling. Left of the screen is a button for volume up / down. The screen can be put on and off with a button on the right. At the bottom is a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microUSB socket it with the computer can be connected or charging. Small weakness is that for charging and to the PC a separate cable is needed, what I always find a disadvantage if you travel abroad.

The call quality of the Nexus S is fine, the reception is consistent and during testing I found no damage. Also the sound over the speakers is excellent. The rest of the communication facilities are all available. SMS uses the default message function of Android, and my email can I use the Gmail App. Of the latter I'm not very enthusiastic, but it works ok Google Talk is also standard. Since the device also supports the latest version of Android NFC communication. Although NFC is a promising technique, I can still little with it. In the U.S., Google NFC busy pushes to replace QR codes.

In terms of multimedia software standard terms is nothing special. The application "Music" will play your favorite tunes, and the "Gallery" can play videos. The widgets are very simple. In terms MP4/DivX/WMV/H.264/H.263 video is supported, and in terms of audio MP3/WAV/each + / AC3/FLAC. In contrast to the LG 2X Optimums, the Nexus with HDMI output and S is not DLNA equipped. As the call volume, media volume is very high. Also the sound on the headset is great. On the in-ear headset that is included by default, I have somewhat less enthusiastic; they remain poorly seated in my ears and are therefore impractical. The sound quality is substandard. With the 3.5 mm audio jack allows you to be happy any headset plug.

Software is the most critical point of the Nexus S. The Nexus S is not equipped with an extra skin like HTC or Samsung Touch Wiz Sense. This shows the layout of Android 2.3 is still very bare. As a tech geek I know my way in the find. Like many Android fans that incidentally just glad that no extra "junk" is installed and enjoy their own smart phones can configgen. With the right apps and widgets, I know my home screen that converts into a stylish whole. For the average user this is not play, and that is why in my opinion is a strong disadvantage of the Nexus S. An additional advantage of a bare Android version is up for a new Android version can update instantly, and you do not have to wait for the manufacturer of your phone with its Android software starts again.

New in Android 2.3 is native support for VoIP, so you need to install any additional application. It also supports NFC technology, and the battery life, the on-screen keyboard and camera application renewed. What I think less of the on-screen keyboard that I have the keys on the small side, so I often press the wrong impression. In addition, the correction standard is very annoying, because it corrects words occasionally irrelevant. After Swipe to have installed, the text entry a lot faster. The Google-phone standard includes the following Google apps: Calendar, Gmail, Google Earth, and Google Maps with navigation, Google Search, Google Talk, Google Voice, Voice Actions and YouTube. In terms of multimedia software is still slightly disappointing, but after a video player and Win amp to have installed so I'm not complaining.

The Nexus S does not participate in the dual-core trend. Instead, the device has a 1GHz A8 (Hummingbird) processor and 512 MB of RAM. Here I notice after a few weeks of little use. Apps like Angry Birds, Layer, Google Earth and Google Maps are all running very smoothly. The current position is using A-GPS frequently updated. Also watching HD video is him fine. So I cannot say I miss half core. Also animated wallpapers are running very smoothly in the background without performance deterioration. What is top of the Nexus standard S is that it has 16GB internal memory. That's different from your OS 250mb memory which is so full. With 16GB you have enough room for all your music, photos and apps to lose. If you're a real heavy user this may have a disadvantage because there is no micros slot in it for an external memory card.

Camera

The resolution of the camera (5 megapixels) may well not be very big, but I think the quality of the pictures very well. During the day, the pictures really good. In the dark, the quality of the photos is back, but this is inherent in smart phones in contrast with cameras that are more optimized. The video is recorded at a resolution of 720 x 480 with the H.264 codec. Below are some examples of photos taken with the Nexus S:

The battery life I found somewhat disappointing. The 1500 mash battery lasts for two days not filled with average use. I can also imagine, as the performance of smart phones disproportionate increase compared to the battery capacity. Denise also noted this in its review of the LG Optimums 2X. I have no problem with them, I always charge my phone at the end of the day, and so long as he passes the days I think it's fine.

Nexus One pastor was initially only be ordered via the Internet. After disappointing results, it was decided to phone it through brick-and-mortar stores to sell. Also for the Nexus S, it is available from retailers, individually or in combination with a subscription.

Remarkably, Google for the successor of the Nexus One HTC exchanged for Samsung. Could this have to do with the many teething problems where the Nexus One struggling? In addition, suggested that HTC dropped from Google's favor because of the large number of smart phones that HTC Nexus One addition to the market. Samsung in the U.S. is the largest Android vendor may also be a factor.

To promote the Nexus S Google launched its own page, bought it promoted a trend in Twitter, and spread the number of YouTube videos, including more than this viral has been viewed 1.8 million times.

Furthermore, the marketing budget of the Nexus S kept small, Google puts its reputation on word of mouth with the phone to get a wider audience. The receipt of the Nexus S varied. CNET has published "Six Things Not to Love about the Nexus S", the Tec crunch review however was just positive.

After the Nexus S a few weeks using it I am very happy. He is wonderfully fast, has plenty of memory, and is comfortable to hold. Intensive applications like Google Earth or Layer run like a charm. A drawback of the OEM version (without software) of Android is that there is no shell such as HTC Sense present. A real advantage for Android fans that extra rubbish that sits and she can adapt themselves nicely. A disadvantage for the average user because the user therefore less attractive. Google's branding is mainly because of the promotional value than the latest software version is minimal. More specifically, the latest a series of Google Apps and Android, which Google's voice search / input applications and Google Map added value compared egg phones. Other benefits include VoIP / SIP support and NFC. On the other hand, the Nexus S, as in previous Android not especially when it comes to media. Other downsides are the quality of the supplied in-ear headset and the on-screen keyboard that I'm not that excited about. All in all, the Nexus S a top Smartphone, its fast and you always have the latest software. This combined with the bare Android phone makes it very interesting for fans and Android users possible technically.