Google Nexus S review

In case you're still looking for the newest-of-new Android smartphones to give as a holiday gift, there is one more new device to consider.  Google has announced the release of its second self-branded phone – and it's another terrific one.

Google’s first phone was the Nexus One, which was made for them by HTC.  It was the first device to lead they way with Android's 2.1 operating system and also the first with a LED screen.  It was also the first Android to run a completely “accurate” Android OS.  That means it ran Android as Google invented it.  No add-ons, extras or do-dads that every phone manufacturer seems to add (special home screens, themes and additional software that subtly change Android to be more of a Motorola, HTC, LG or Samsung Android device.  A Nexus phone is a pure Android phone.

This new device is called the Nexus S.  It's made for Google by Samsung (hence the “S”) and mechanically is very, very similar to Samsung's Galaxy S line of Android smartphones.  As a matter of fact, it resembles a Galaxy S phone in nearly every way imaginable, except for the addition of the updated operating system.  That's a very good thing. 

That means it has the great pedigree of Samsung's Galaxy S line of Android devices, including its amazing 4-inch Super AMOLED display (although, this time, it's a new, slightly concave “contoured” model, a 1GHz Hummingbird  processor, 16GB of internal storage (there is no microUSB slot), front and rear-facing cameras (VGA up front and 5 megapixel with a flash on the back), a 3-axis gyroscopic sensor, a 1500 mAh removable/rechargeable battery and loads more.

The biggest difference here – aside from the industry's first curved (slightly concave) screen – is that this is also the first phone to run on the next version of the Android operating system – version 2.3 – codenamed Gingerbread.

The new OS has loads of refinements and a bunch of new features.  First of all, Google has updated and refined its basic interface.  It now looks even more three-dimensional when viewed on Samsung's amazing Super AMOLED screen.  There's also an enhanced keyboard scenario with slightly re-sized keys, multi-touch support and what Google says is enhanced smart typing suggestions.  Don't forget, since this is a pure Google device there's no Swype software as standard equipment.  You can add that separately from the Android Marketplace, though.

According to Google, Gingerbread also accounts for improved application and battery use managers, a new Download Manager applet, Internet calling (VoIP/SIP), a new text selection tool along with better  copy/paste support, improved gaming and the addition of a new kind of processing chip that allows the phone to handle what is being termed as “Near Field Communications”.

Near Field Communications, or NFC, allows a device to communicate with other objects that have NFC chips allowing the two devices to “talk with each other”.  At the moment, the NFC function is only turned on in one direction with all information going to the phone.

The idea here is that by holding your Nexus S close to one of the new Google Map Places decals (which also have a NFC chip inside) you're about to notice (especially in Eugene, Oregon – Google's test city) you'll be able to download stuff.  You'll get special “links” downloaded to your phone with information, files, videos, coupons, you name it.

But, fast-forward a few months and think about what happens when Google allows NFC to be a two-way communications system.  At minimum, you'll be able to interact with the new information on your phone and, of course, use your phone as a sort of credit card to make payments, react to special new offers downloaded to your phone – and consequently make purchases – making your Android phone more valuable to you and to businesses (and possibly to someone else handling your smartphone).

So far, the Nexus S has proven itself to be fast and beautiful.  What more can you ask of a new and very exclusive device? 

Hardware-wise, there isn't much to complain about.  It has a great screen, speedy processor and very good battery life.  I've been able to get a full day's worth of use on a single charge with judicious use of the Wi-fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC radios.  That means I turn them off when I'm not using them.  The phone's shell is completely plastic.  That's so radio signals from inside the phone get out and vice-versa (unlike some recent designs which value looks over functionality).  Some might consider that cheaping-out.  I think it keeps the weight down.  I've also heard one of two complaints about the “bump” on the back – near the bottom of the phone – but it doesn't bother me at all.

As for the software, Android 2.3 is not a tremendous breakthrough in smartphone software design.  Gingerbread turns out to be a slight update of a good mobile OS.  They've made a number of small, somewhat noticeable improvements in this update.  Hence the small number change from 2.2 (Froyo) to 2.3.  Expect the really big changes to come with Android 3.0 (nicknamed Honeycomb).  However, since Nexus phones have always been many developers' hardware platform of choice, expect your Nexus S to be among the first to be able to download and run OS version 3.0 as soon as it's made available.

Because it uses Samsung's Galaxy platform and because it runs the latest/greatest version of the operating system, Google's Nexus S is the best Android smartphone on the market today.  That's today, though.  Who knows what else will be introduced in the next few months?

The Nexus S is a GSM world phone that comes unlocked, and works on T-Mobile's 3G (HSPA not HSPA+) or AT&T's (and the rest of the world's) 2.5G EDGE networks.  You can get one – beginning on the 16th -- at T-Mobile and Best Buy for $199 with a 2-year contract or $529 without a contract.