Google Launches Android 4.0 on Samsung Galaxy Nexus Smartphone

Tonight at the Samsung event in Hong Kong the company unveiled the new Google flagship smartphone – Galaxy Nexus.

This is the third phone made in direct collaboration with the search giant, and the first to run a new version of its Android operating system, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich. Previously, Google has released the Nexus, made by HTC, and the Nexus S made by Samsung. Rumor has it that this event was scheduled to take place last week, but was postponed out of respect for Steve Jobs, who died earlier this month. This is a rather significant launch as Ice Cream Sandwich will be Googles first operating system to run on both tablets and phones. A unified operating is a big deal as it will make life easier on app developers.

The Galaxy Nexus is the first smartphone to be running Android 4.0 and has a ton of new features that the company believes will be give the Apple 4S a run for its money.

The Galaxy Nexus features a massive 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED display (1,280 x 720), a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 5 megapixel rear camera (with LED flash), a 1.3 megapixel front-facing cam, 1080p30 video recording and playback, a panorama mode, a 3.5mm headphone jack and Bluetooth 3.0. You’ll also find USB 2.0, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, an embedded NFC module, accelerometer, compass, gyro, proximity sensor and even a barometer. The phone also has 1GB of internal RAM, 16 or 32GB of internal storage space and a 1,750mAh battery. Samsung is offering both an HSPA+ and an LTE version, so it will be available around the world. The thickness of the smartphone is 8.39mm with a bezel that is just 4.29mm thick. With the contoured display and the thin size, the Galaxy Nexus is supposed to feel natural and comfortable.