[Op-Ed]What are LG and Google up to with the new Nexus?

Later this month LG and Google will release their new Nexus phone.  The leaked specs are impressive.  The LG Nexus has a 4.7" 1280x768 IPS LCD screen, a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro CPU, 2GB of RAM, on-screen buttons, an 8MP camera and a fairly large 2100mah non-removable battery. 

Compared to the Galaxy Nexus it's a nice upgrade.  The screen is better, the S4 Pro blows away the OMAP 4460, it has more RAM, a better camera and a bigger battery.  On paper, it's everything a Nexus should be.  It even looks like the Galaxy Nexus.

LG Optimus Nexus

But the LG Nexus has a serious flaw.  Reports indicate it'll launch with only 8GB or 16GB of internal memory and no SD card slot.

The standard amount of internal memory on high end smartphones is 16GB, with 32GB and 64GB as options.  HTC announced the One X+ last week with 64GB of standard memory.  The Galaxy Nexus launched with 16GB or 32GB a year ago.

Launching a flagship Nexus phone in only 8GB and 16GB variants is a serious error.  Cloud storage is readily available, but internal storage is still important and 8GB won't get the job done.

The only logical reason to cut down on internal memory is cost.  Flash memory is the highest cost component in modern smartphones.  If Google's plan is to make a low cost flagship, cutting the internal memory would be the easiest way to do it.  Since the LG Nexus is based on the Optimus G, changing out the processor, screen, or lowering the RAM really wasn't feasible.  Lowering the amount of internal memory though is relatively straight forward and doesn't hinder performance.

Maybe Google's plan is to release an inexpensive unlocked phone that works on any U.S. carrier?  After all, the Snapdragon S4 has the LTE modem embedded in the system on chip and is compatible with all major U.S. carrier's LTE frequencies.  Could Google be planning to release an 8GB Optimus Nexus through Google Play that's compatible on any carrier for $299.99 with the 16GB model priced at $399.99?  If that's the case then Google will have successfully given consumers the option of a flagship phone at a competitive price without a carrier subsidy.  That would be a major accomplishment.

Hopefully this is the scenario that plays out, because otherwise launching a modern flagship phone with only 8GB of memory is a deal breaker.

[Op-Ed] Is Apple's new iPod worth buying?

Photo courtesy of Apple.com

As most already know, I'm not a huge fan of Apple and their tech goodies.  One Apple product I am a fan of is their iPod product.  I've used many a portable music device over the years, including the Diamond Rio,the Nomad Zen Jukebox, and the Dell DJ.  All of these ended up falling before the behemoth that was the Apple iPod.  No other device has the cache and functionality of an iPod.  And now Apple has announced the release in October of the newest version of their iPod Touch line.  Is this newest iPod Touch something worth your hard earned dollars?  Let's take a closer look.

[News] Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini edition specs leaked

Samsung, not content to sit on their laurels with the incredible success of the Galaxy S3 smartphone, is moving forward with the international announcement and subsequent launch of another Galaxy S phone - the S3 Mini.  Specs for this devices aren't overwhelming, but could resonate with a certain market segment.  The leaked specs are as follows:

Specs:  

• 4″ WVGA Super AMOLED Display
• 1GHz dual-core processor
• 1GB RAM
• 5MP rear camera
• 16GB built-in storage, microSD card slot
• NFC
• 1,500mAh battery
• Android 4.1

The phone in appearance is virtually identical to the Galaxy S3 (regular?) version, but obvious a bit smaller.  Depending on pricing and whether it ever hits U.S. carriers, this could be a nice gap filler for Samsung to those folks who can't/don't want to shell out the premium pricing for the full version of the Galaxy S3, or simply don't want a 4.8" screen on their smartphone, but do like the form factor and design of the Samsung flagship line.  You've probably read the reviews of the Galaxy S3 on this site and perhaps in other places.  As someone who has seen and played with an S3, its a really nice powerful phone that is some of the best of what Samsung and Google's Android has to offer.

If you live in Germany, look for it at a Telekom near you starting tomorrow!  If you are in the U.S.A., you may have to wait a bit longer.

*Source:  Droid-Life

[Apps] Angry Birds Meet Star Wars

If you're anything like me, then you love to game on your phone or mobile device. And without a doubt Angry Birds is the most well known mobile gaming franchise. Nowadays it seems that you can't even get away from those silly birds and piggies.

Do you like Angry Birds? Yes? Do you also like Star Wars? Yes also? Well guess what? Rovio just announced their newest installment of the Angry Birds franchise. Those mischievous little birds are upgrading those dated slingshots with an incredible saber-sling-shot sort of thing.

Photo courtesy of angrybirds.tumblr.com

On November 8th Rovio will release Angry Birds Star Wars.

Check out the quick teaser.

Angry Birds tumblr page will have new content each day leading up to the date so check it at your leisure. here's the link. Angry Birds Tumblr

[News] Google announces Android JB release 4.1.2

Published just a little bit ago on the Android Building portion of Google Groups, Google's Technical Lead Jean-Baptiste Queru indicated that an update to the Android Jelly Bean version of the OS will be forthcoming to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).  Below is a copy/paste version of JBQ's post:

We're releasing Android 4.1.2 to AOSP today, which is a minor update 
on top of 4.1.1. 

As a note to maintainers of community builds running on Nexus 7: 
please update to 4.1.2 at the first opportunity. Future variants of 
the grouper hardware will have a minor change in one of the components 
(the power management chip) that will not be compatible with 4.1.1. 

The build number is JZO54K, and the tag is android-4.1.2_r1. 

Enjoy, 
Conley and JBQ -- 
Jean-Baptiste M. "JBQ" Queru 
Technical Lead, Android Open Source Project, Google. 

Normally, the GSM/LTE versions of these updates find their way into the wild first, and then the CDMA/LTE versions follow thereafter.  As a Verizon Wireless user, I'm eager to see what the changelog shows the improvements to the code will be.  But as can be seen, this update is significant for Nexus 7 users, even though it may not be so for Galaxy Nexus or other Jelly Bean custom ROM users.  I'm sure the developer community will be on top of these code changes really quick like.

*Source:  Google Goups - Android Building

[Rumor]Google working on super high resolution 10" tablet with Samsung; $99 Nexus 7 for Christmas

CNET released a report this evening indicating Google is working on a 10" tablet with Samsung.

The Nexus 10 is rumored to have a 2,560 x 1,600 screen.  This would give it a PPI (pixels per inch) of 299.  For reference the iPad 3 has a PPI of 264, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has a PPI of 267, and the iPhone 5 has a PPI of 326.  The 299 PPI would be the highest of any tablet.

No details on the processor were released, but either the Exynos 4412/Mali-400 combo from the Galaxy S III and Galaxy Note 2 or the Exynos 5 Dual would be good guesses.  The Exynos 5 Dual is a Cortex A-15 based chip that is paired with a Mali-604 GPU and would provide substantial power for the new tablet.

The report also indicated Google and ASUS would release a $99 Nexus 7 in time for Christmas.  Google could use the $99 Nexus 7 to counter the impending iPad Mini release.

Look for more potential details at the AllThingsD: Dive into Mobile conference at the end of October.

Update:
Remember this benchmark from September showing a Dual-core 1.7Ghz chip with a Mali-604 being tested?  The resolution doesn't match up with the rumored Nexus 10, but it does show Samsung has been testing the new Exynos 5 Dual for a couple months now.  Make it happen Google!

[News]Are these pictures of the LG Optimus Nexus?

A reader over at xda-developers posted pictures to his gallery of a mysterious LG phone with a model # of LG e960.  Ladies and gentleman, the LG Optimus Nexus:

You'll notice the model number shows "Full JellyBean on Mako."  Historically Google has used code names relating to fish for their flagship phones which further lends credence to the images.

Here are the specs based on what has leaked so far:

LG Optimus Nexus
Release Date: November
Carrier(s): Unknown
Price: Unknown
CPU/GPU: Quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro/Adreno 320
Screen: 4.7" IPS+ LCD (RGB) 1280x768p
Camera: 1.2MP(Fr)/13MP/1080p@30fps
Memory: 2GB RAM
Storage: 8GB/16GB
Battery: Non-Removable/2100mah
Pros: Top CPU/GPU available.  Flagship specs across the board including ram, camera, and screen. Nexus phone means non-encrypted boot loader and stock Android.  Nexus phones get updates as soon as they are available (unless you're on Verizon).
Cons: No SD card slot.  Internal battery.  Storage options are limited.
Outlook: The LG Optimus Nexus brings top notch specs, a non-encrypted boot loader and stock Android together in a tidy black package.  
Similar phones to consider: 
AT&T: Apple iPhone 5, HTC 8X, HTC One X, HTC One X+, Nokia Lumia 920, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S III
Sprint: Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III
T-Mobile: Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S III
Verizon: Apple iPhone 5, HTC Droid Incredible X, Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, Samsung Ativ S, Samsung Galaxy S III

So, is everyone ready for an LG Nexus phone?

UPDATED - More pictures of the LG Optimus Nexus:

Final case design?