Pocketables

GSM Samsung Galaxy Nexus with 32GB of internal storage cancelled

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is one of the best Android smartphones out on the market today. It's got the latest version of Google's operating system, great hardware, and offers an all-around fantastic experience. 

But one of the unfortunate aspects of the latest (GSM) Nexus is the somewhat limited storage: 16GB, upgradable with an SD card. There was originally going to be a 32GB model, but today, it seems that it has been cancelled. 

Expansys-USA today announced that Samsung has cancelled the bigger version of the Galaxy Nexus. Here's the exact comment, made by Corey from Expansys-USA:

"We’ve just been notified this morning that Samsung have dropped the Galaxy Nexus 32GB from production. At this time it looks like they will not be releasing it. Not good news at all."

So, if you were wanting this model, it looks like it may not ever come. That's certainly too bad, as 16GB of internal storage just isn't enough these days. There is the option to expand it with an SD card, but an extra 16GB of included storage would've given people enough storage to store anything they would ever want onto their phones. 

Is this a dealbreaker for the GSM model for you? 

[Android Community]

Samsung to update Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note to Android 4.0 on March 1st?

Although Samsung has proven its belief that older hardware shouldn't be updated to new versions of software, it has also proven it still will update the phones that are still available for purchase. 

Two of those devices that are still purchasable (and upgradable) are the Galaxy Note and the Galaxy S II line. Today, the date on which the phoneblet and line of smartphones will begin to receive the update to Android 4.0 was leaked: March 1st. 

Obviously, the exact date your device will get the update depends on a lot of different factors; the country in which you reside, your carrier, and which exact model you have will determine when your Samsung phone will be upgraded. 

One thing that's the same across all devices will be the ability to update over-the-air or manually, so you might be able to update your phone sooner with the manual method versus waiting for the carrier to push out the update itself. 

[The Next Web]

Samsung Galaxy S III to be thinner than iPhone 4S at just 7mm thick?

Phones keep getting thinner and thinner. But I, like many others, feel that there is a certain point at which "thinnest phone in the world" is too thin. I don't know what that point may be, but I think that Samsung may be pushing it if this rumor is true. Among other things, a new report says that the Samsung Galaxy S III will be just 7mm thick; or, 1.5mm smaller than the current Galaxy S series of smartphones. 

The report also details some other specs, like quad-core chips and LTE connectivity. Android 4.0 should be the OS of choice, and 8MP back- and 2MP front-facing cameras should round out the rest of the device. 

Nothing was leaked about any possible price, but there was a timeframe mentioned: the release should happen sometime in May. Hopefully, we'll see each edition of the GSIII come to market at a price under $200, but given the fact that most recent flagship phones have been floating around the $300 on-contract mark, I think my guess is a little too hopeful.

[Android Central]

Best Buy offers free case for Samsung Galaxy Note preorders that start Sunday

If your friends or family are forcing you to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, even if you really don't want to, Samsung and Best Buy have just given you a fantastic reason to sneak away from the HDTV, run to your car, and drive to the nearest big blue box: Galaxy Note preorders start on Sunday. 

Unfortunately, after your preordering is done, you'll still have to wait for the device to show up in your hands; it is just a preorder, after all. But Best Buy is spicing up the deal a bit by offering a free flip cover case to protect your Galaxy Note. And, like we learned this week, the Note will be sold for $299.99 on contract with AT&T.

If you're not quite certain that you want this device, let me just run through the specs for you and maybe you'll be convinced. Under the massive 5.3-inch 1280 x 800 display, the Note features a 1.4GHz dual-core processor; 4G LTE connectivity through AT&T's network; 8MP and 2MP back and front cameras, respectively; and the special pressure-sensitive S Pen for note-taking and picture-drawing. 

Will you be picking a Galaxy Note up? 

[PhoneDog]

Google doesn't consider the CDMA Samsung Galaxy Nexus a developer device anymore [Updated]

Well, this is a rather sad piece of news: Google has removed the CDMA Samsung Galaxy Nexus from its list of supported developer devices. 

Thousands of people had purchased the Verizon LTE variant of Google's flagship phone, but now the company that praised it so much doesn't even consider it a pure Googlephone. And really, isn't the whole point of a Nexus device to receive pure Android the way Google intended it to be? 

Google didn't stop there, either. The first line of text in that picture says, "No CDMA devices are supported." So, as you guessed, Sprint's version of the Samsung Galaxy S 4G was later pulled, followed by the Motorola XOOM (which we don't cover).

After my disappointment in Google had subsided, I realized that this is probably a more cost-effective way of helping developers make apps. The majority of cellularly-connected countries use GSM, so by getting rid of a typically American standard, Google probably will just have an easier time updating those devices in a timely and graceful manner. 

I am curious, however, how you feel about this news if you're an owner of a Verizon Galaxy Nexus? I think I would be pretty upset. 

Update: As pointed out in the comments, Google has issued a response to the news of the LTE Galaxy Nexus' removal from the list of supported developer devices. You can read the response in its entirety after the break, but essentially, CDMA devices just don't play nicely with pure Android builds. 

Samsung teases Galaxy Note Super Bowl ad

 

Normally, teasers are reserved for new television episodes or series and new movies. But the smartphone manufacturers of the world don't own studios (aside from Sony), and probably aren't interested in making the next Family Guy. Instead, they spend their media money on ads. Or, you know, teasers for those ads. 

The video you see above is a teaser for Samsung's Galaxy Note Super Bowl ad that will premiere Sunday at some point during the Super Bowl. It's very similar what all of Samsung's recent iOS-mocking ads are: poking fun at all of the limitations of Apple's devices. 

The one technology-related advertisement during the Super Bowl that comes to my mind is Apple's 1984; instead of focusing on specs, that ad was centered around the rebellious people of that era who didn't want to fall in line with the rest of society. But today's society is a little different, and I think that tying comedy together with technology will certainly make this ad a memorable one, and hopefully, a successful one. 

Samsung has a huge market to address with its ad. 111 million people watched the Super Bowl last year; just think about the support the Galaxy Note would get with all of those people being owners! And even better than that would be the potential for more phoneblets just like it.

[SlashGear]

Samsung announces Android 4.0 availability for Galaxy S II, Galaxy Note

2011 was a great year for Samsung. The South Korean company released the Galaxy S II line of Android smartphones and the Galaxy Note phoneblet, both of which are highly regarded as some of the best Android devices on the market. And Samsung today announced that they will be getting even better soon with Ice Cream Sandwich.

The official Norwegian Samsung Facebook page was the source of the news today, and the status update stated that the roll-out of Ice Cream Sandwich will be complete by the end of Q1 of 2012. That's about two months away at the moment, but at least the company has given us a timeframe in which to expect the update. 

I'm glad that Samsung is being a little more open about software updates. I think we can all remember the whole debacle over the original Galaxy S' software updates, so it looks like Samsung is trying to gain back a little respect from the tech community.

[PocketDroid]

AT&T Galaxy Note is finally official, coming February 19 for $300

We've had plenty of things lead up to this, but finally Samsung has made their official announcement on the availability of the AT&T branded US Galaxy Note. The massive phoneblet will be up for preorder next Sunday for shipping by the 15th, and out in stores on February 19th for the price of $300.

To go along with this 5.3-inch HD powerhouse, AT&T is also releasing a number of accessories, like a desktop dock, a special holder for the S Pen, and a flip case. However, most users will just be happy that the Note has finally made its way to a US carrier with the all important subsidized price. 

With a dual-core processor, huge 720p display, and the interesting S Pen technology like the HTC Flyer, the Note is definitely a good deal at $300. If it had Ice Cream Sandwich, it would be a sure buy over almost anything on the market right now, but even with Gingerbread it is one of the best devices currently available. It should be interesting to see how the US market reacts to this more MID-like smartphone, but I'm sure there are already some gadget fans lining up for the preorder.

[TechCrunch]

Samsung Galaxy S II review

With the Galaxy Note fresh off the assembly line and rumors of the Galaxy S III breathing down everyone's necks, the Samsung Galaxy S II doesn't show up in the spotlight as often as it used to. Still, it's one of the top Android phones out there, and is far from outdated. With it getting cheaper and cheaper and putting up camp in the mid-range price segment it's gaining a lot of new users, and yours truly is one of them. Read on for a review of the Samsung Galaxy S II (international version). 

Noreve Tradition C leather case for Samsung Galaxy S II review

I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy S II to replace my 2.5 year old iPhone 3GS. I've been a heavy user of always-on cases for a long time, but with the S II, I want the ability to dock it at home and not deal with the added bulk except when I actually need protection. The natural choice then is a pouch style case, which you'll normally find in either leather or imitation leather. Noreve is a brand that's practically synonymous with leather cases in my head, so not long after I had made that decision I had a brand new Tradition C leather case in my hands, provided by Noreve for review. Read on to see if it's any good.