Galaxy Nexus Debuts In Canada, But Verizon Not Ready




The Galaxy Nexus has finally launched in North America, though Android fans in the U.S. are still waiting to get their hands on Samsung‘s new flagship device, which runs the newest Android 4.0.1 platform, known as Ice Cream Sandwich.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus took its inaugural bows in the United Kingdom last month, and is now available from Canadian network operators Bell and Virgin Mobile. Fellow wireless carrier Rogers also tweeted Thursday that the Galaxy Nexus would debut on its Canada-wide network in January.

“Samsung‘s ongoing collaboration with Google has resulted in a next generation smartphone that has both superior functionality and a stunning user-experience,” said Samsung Electronics Canada Vice President Paul Brannen.

Verizon Wireless announced last October that the Galaxy Nexus would be coming to its superfast 4G LTE network, and just last week said the “anxiously awaited” smartphone would be “coming soon.” The device will be the first Nexus smartphone model offered by Verizon Wireless.


Ready To Roll?

Featuring a 4.65-inch super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1280×720 pixels, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is equipped with a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, a 5-megapixel rear camera with auto focus and flash, and a 1.3-megapixel front camera for video chat sessions. It integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS and near-field communications capabilities — and can even function as a mobile hot spot.

Last weekend, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus was reportedly on display briefly in one of Verizon‘s stores in New York. Various media outlets also have obtained leaked retail packaging photos as well as an internal Verizon memo suggesting a Dec. 9 launch date.

However, one possible reason for Verizon’s delayed U.S. release is the software glitch discovered when the Samsung Galaxy Nexus launched in the U.K. last month. So it is possible that Verizon is awaiting a Google software update that fixes the handset’s audio volume problem before opening the order floodgates.

On the other hand, Verizon may merely be trying to generate a modicum of media buzz in advance of the smartphone’s release in the United States. In any event, the wireless carrier continues to field an online sign-up page urging subscribers to submit their e-mail addresses to obtain additional information about the new handset.


Boosting Speed And Memory

The high-speed packet access plus (HSPA+) versions of the Galaxy Nexus that Virgin Mobile and Bell released in Canada this week are priced around $160 if the subscriber signs up for a three-year service plan. However, industry observers expect Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus model to have a price in the $300 range.

The higher cost is due in part to the device’s more expensive 4G LTE radio components. Verizon also is rumored to have bumped the handset’s storage to 32 GB — up from the 16GB capacities of the models being sold in Canada and the U.K.

When Verizon first announced the Galaxy Nexus last October, the company said buyers could expect to realize fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within the carrier’s 4G LTE mobile broadband coverage areas. However, buyers of the new smartphone also will be required to subscribe to a minimum nationwide talk plan priced at $39.99 per month as well as a minimum 2 GB data package priced at $30 per month.

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Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/galaxy-nexus-debuts-canada-verizon-not-ready-001315092.html

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