Mobile phone provider Samsung Electronics and Google have unveiled Nexus S, the first Near Field Communication-enabled handset to feature the latest version of Google?s Android platform.

Powered by the Android 2.3 operating system, also known as Gingerbread, Nexus S is designed with Samsung?s Super AMOLED touch-screen technology. Nexus lets users read information off of everyday objects such as stickers and posters that are embedded with NFC chips, as well as make contactless payments.

?As a founding member of Open Handset Alliance, Samsung has cooperated with Google very closely,? said Kim Titus, director of public relations at Samsung Telecommunications America, Dallas. ?Launching Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab devices earlier in 2010, Samsung played a key role in helping Android become the fastest growing operating system in the world.

?In the United States, Samsung was the No. 1 Android device provider in the third quarter of 2010, according to Gartner,? he said. ?To deepen its partnership with Google and to accelerate innovation on the Android platform, Samsung has worked to help Google create its second phone, the Nexus S.

?We are very confident that the Nexus S will drive further innovation on the Android platform and will receive a strong, successful market acceptance.?

Specs
Powered by a 1 GHz Samsung application processor, Nexus S produces rich 3D graphics, faster upload and download times and supports HD-like multimedia content.

Nexus S is equipped with a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder, as well as a VGA front-facing camera.

In addition, Nexus S features a gyroscope sensor to provide a smooth, fluid gaming experience when the user is tilting the device up or down or panning the phone to the left or right. Nexus S also comes with 16 GB of internal memory.

Google claims that Android 2.3, Gingerbread, is the fastest version of Android yet.

?One of the key highlights of Gingerbread is support for NFC technology, which should enable contactless payments similar to many credit cards, although it will take some time for that functionality to really be exploited,? said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis and consumer technology at the NPD Group, New York.

?That is something that we?ll likely see in 2011,? he said. ?We?ve certainly seen a lot of action in the NFC from multiple cell phone vendors.?

In addition to its support for NFC, it features a new keyboard with multi-touch support, Internet calling (VoIP/SIP support) and a new user interface.

Nexus S also includes Android features such as portable Wi-Fi hotspot, multitasking, access to Google mobile services such as Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps with Navigation, Voice Actions, Google Voice and YouTube, and access to the 100,000-plys applications and widgets on Android Market.

Prospects for success
Nexus S can be purchased unlocked online and in-store from Best Buy retailers in the U.S. starting after Dec. 16 and at Carphone Warehouse retailers in Britain after Dec. 20.

Like the Nexus One, Google is primarily pursuing distribution outside of the carrier channel.

While the Nexus One was only available online, in the U.S. this phone will be available exclusively through Best Best and Best Buy Mobile, both in store and online.

Google is hoping this is a better go-to-market strategy than it used for the Nexus One.

?Absolutely this is a more successful distribution strategy,? Mr. Rubin said. ?According to NPD research, roughly 10 percent of handset sales are online, a relatively low percentage, while a much higher percentage are sold through bricks-and-mortar retailers, even excluding the carriers.

?Particularly for high-end smartphones, Best Buy has had a fair amount of success with similar products,? he said. ?Best Buy has been ramping up its efforts in the handset space, both through its in-store and standalone areas.?

The Nexus S is a GSM phone, so users will primarily be able to use it on T-Mobile USA and AT&T.

?It is certainly a competitive device, but it is optimized for the T-Mobile network, so while it can be used by AT&T subscribers as well, customers will realize its full potential on the T-Mobile network, which is smallest of the four major carriers,? Mr. Rubin said. ?T-Mobile is coming out with the strong HSPA+ handsets in the fourth quarter, including the G2 and MyTouch 4G.

?The Nexus S has many hardware similarities to the other Galaxy S devices, which are available on all four major carriers and even a regional carrier or two,? he said. ?It enters a very competitive space, with other handsets on promotion in the fourth quarter, including those using Windows Phone 7.

?That said, there are always customers who want the latest and greatest, and for some there is a lot of appeal to having a stock experience, so this may have appeal to them.?

Final Take

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