Google Nexus tablet leaked?

Pocketnow has posted an image of mystery Android tablet. Is this the rumoured Google Nexus tablet we’ve been hearing so much about?

According to reports, the tablet is set for launch somewhere between May and June. If the reports are true, then this would mean that the Nexus tablet will be unveiled either in CTIA Wireless, which will be held early in May, or at the Google I/O conference, which will be held late in June. If the tablet will make its first appearance at Google I/O conference, it’s possible Google will be giving away a tablet to all of the conference’s attendees like it did last year when it gave each attendee a free Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

Pocketnow mentions something strange about the render. The image seems to show a tablet sporting a 10.1 inch display, when previous reports say that the new tablet will sport a 7 inch display. However, the number of icons seen on the screen suggests that the device will sport a 7 inch display.

ASUS is said to have been chosen to manufacture the Google Nexus tablet. Google is also rumoured to be taking a page out of Amazon’s book, cutting down the tablet’s price tag similar to that of the Kindle Fire, which may be the only way to compete with the dominating force in the tablet market, the new iPad (successor of the iPad 2).

Other than the render, there’s not much known about the mystery tablet. We’ll just have to wait until May or June to confirm if this is the Google Nexus tablet or not.

Tags: Android, Google, google nexus tablet, Nexus tablet, Tablets
Category Tablet News |

Google Nexus S, Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and Motorola Xoom getting Android 4.0.4 update

Just recently, the search giant announced on Google+ that the latest version of Ice Cream Sandwich (Android version 4.0.4) would be rolling out to three devices.

The latest version of Ice Cream Sandwich will be rolling out to two smartphones and a tablet. The first device is the first smartphone to run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), the Google Nexus S. The Second device is the first Android device to run Ice Cream Sandwich, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The third device is the first tablet to ship running Android 3.0 (Honeycomb), the Motorola Xoom. All three will be updated to Android 4.0.4.

The post reads, “We’ve started rolling out Android 4.0.4, Ice Cream Sandwich, to UMTS/GSM Nexus S, Xoom Wi-Fi, and HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus devices, and we’ll be rolling it out to more devices in the coming weeks. Some of you will be receiving Ice Cream Sandwich for the first time, while others will be receiving an update to your existing Ice Cream Sandwich experience with stability improvements, better camera performance, smoother screen rotation, improved phone number recognition and more.

Aside from the three devices mentioned, Google is planning to roll out Ice Cream Sandwich to more Android devices soon. We’ll keep you posted once we know more.

Tags: Android 4.0, Android 4.0.4, Galaxy Nexus, Google, Ice Cream Sandwich, Motorola, Nexus S, samsung, Xoom
Category OS News |

Ice Cream Sandwich rolling out to Nexus S in the “next few weeks”

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) was first seen in action on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus back in November of last year. Since the Galaxy Nexus is the successor of the previous Android flagship the Nexus S, many Nexus S owners wondered when the update would be rolling out to their smartphones. Word on the street, the ICS update will be rolling out to the Nexus S in the “next few weeks”.

The news comes to us via Engadget. According to their “trusted source”, Google will be rolling out the Ice Cream Sandwich update to the Nexus S in the next few weeks. Since the update will be rolling out soon, you no longer have to make use of an unofficial ICS ROM to enjoy the latest iteration of Android on your Nexus S.

There are a number of features that ICS brings to the picture. This includes enhanced multi-tasking, a new Roboto font, visual improvements, and Face Unlock (a new feature which allows users to use facial recognition technology to unlock their phones). Another feature to be added is Android Beam. This feature allows users to share files via the phone’s NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities.

So how many weeks exactly? The ICS update is expected to roll out to the Nexus S within 12 weeks. However, since network operators do take their time to test Android updates, expect unlocked phones to get the update sooner than phones on a contract.

Tags: Android 4.0, Google, Ice Cream Sandwich, ICS, Nexus S, update
Category OS News |