Nexus S

scuby

Anyone have any news on the Nexus being launched tomorrow ?

got a mil from VF the other day saying its going on sale 1/3/11. No prices or anything.

Easy Rider

Yeah, got the same mail. Wondering what the price will be too, still looking to upgrade and this could be the one..

scuby

same her, called int o a VF shop this evening, and they said they would not know till tomorrow... surprised there has been no info or leaks about the phone or prices etc

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Hecklar

that seems like a really good price. have been waiting for one of these since getting to play with one a few months ago. its taken its time though and im half tempted to just wait out on the galaxy s 2.

muboop1

My mate has this a few weeks now... (relation who works in google). He thinks its the best, but having played with it... Bar having 2.3.1 there is little to differentiate it from the desire...

I still prefer the Galaxy s tbh!

Hecklar

muboop1 wrote: »

My mate has this a few weeks now... (relation who works in google). He thinks its the best, but having played with it... Bar having 2.3.1 there is little to differentiate it from the desire...

I still prefer the Galaxy s tbh!

It is very similar to the galaxy in fairness, probably not as much a step up as a step to the side considering how much newer than the Galaxy it is. I still really like it though and obviously it doesn't have the baggage of Samsungs fettling the OS like the galaxy S stock FW does. The lack of SD card in this day and age is silly though.

srsly78

muboop1 wrote: »

My mate has this a few weeks now... (relation who works in google). He thinks its the best, but having played with it... Bar having 2.3.1 there is little to differentiate it from the desire...

I still prefer the Galaxy s tbh!

Until you physically put the two next to each other.

scuby

I can get it at the moment through the VF online shop for €110 as an upgrade on my current plan.

heebusjeebus

€110 is an incredible price for the lowest Vodafone tariff.

Easy Rider

I can see it but won't let me 'select this phone' at the moment, the button is there but white out and when you click it nothing happens. 109 euro is pretty good, will check again tomorrow to see if I can upgrade.

scuby

it's €109 if i upgrade online, but €149 if i buy in the shop. Im on perfect choice 150 plan, so will differ for other plans afaik

Heroditas

I'm on Perfect Choice Access Plus and can get it for €109.99.
Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery tempted.


But I really like my Galaxy S and the Nexus S is only a minor step up from it and has no radio.

Might just wait for the Galaxy S2

Gargled

Heroditas wrote: »

But I really like my Galaxy S and the Nexus S is only a minor step up from it and has no radio.

No radio is criminal

Easy Rider

If looking for radio then yes, would be a bummer, does not concern me really as I just use data radio apps. Not ideal for some, but I would be coming from a Hero which had none anyway...

robz18

it is such a nice phone...but i just couldnt buy it now knowing all these dual core processors are just around the corner

MrGarak

It looks very plasticky to me (Samsung phones tend to be like that). Thought the Nexus One was far better looking.

domoKon

Been waiting for this for a while, very surprised it was a VF exclusive, really though Meteor, the so called Android network would get it. Don't think it's worth switching from Meteor to VF cause the price plans seem like a rip off in VF + an 18 month contract

https://phones.meteor.ie/bp/choose_a_plan
http://www.vodafone.ie/df/paymonthly/porting/index.jsp?handset=NEXBK&manufacturerSelected=ALL

I'll wait until it pops up in Meteor, not really interested in the Galaxy S coz I was looking for something that's pure Google. I'll be sticking with the Hero for another while.

Abelloid

Only €49.99 to €109.99 on Vodafone :eek:

http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/nexus

They'll sell by the bucket.

Royale with Cheese

Wouldn't go near one on those plans. €35 for 1gb of data, no minutes and no texts. Pathetic.

Abelloid

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Wouldn't go near one on those plans. €35 for 1gb of data, no minutes and no texts. Pathetic.

Totally agree, very poor VFM. 18 months of it.

thomasj

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Wouldn't go near one on those plans. €35 for 1gb of data, no minutes and no texts. Pathetic.

Agree. Am on a vodafone 18 month contract of 150 mins, 150 txts and 2gb data. Given what they are offering for the new contract I won't be signing a new one or upgrading. I'm going to buy it pay as you go, when contract is over will get it unlocked and go to meteor.

Although o2 is meant to be getting it as well could you imagine what they'll be offering!

scuby

thomasj wrote: »

Agree. Am on a vodafone 18 month contract of 150 mins, 150 txts and 2gb data. Given what they are offering for the new contract I won't be signing a new one or upgrading. I'm going to buy it pay as you go, when contract is over will get it unlocked and go to meteor.

Although o2 is meant to be getting it as well could you imagine what they'll be offering!

i have the same plan, and if you upgrade you do not lose, drop down to the 1gb data allowance.. had asked in 2 different VF stores.
The perfect choice was 2gb data allowance up until Oct 2010, and then went to 1gb for new customers after that.

Does anyone know if the Nexus has a WiFi hotspot, for using through a laptop, or sharing the data connection with another phone ?

i have a desire at moment and thinking of getting this, but not sure if its worth using my upgrade, or waiting for something else to come along but i ahve been waiting a few months, so may as well use it up

Hecklar

Anyone bought one yet? Are they locked to Vodafone?

Abelloid

scuby wrote: »

Does anyone know if the Nexus has a WiFi hotspot, for using through a laptop, or sharing the data connection with another phone ?

That's a standard feature from 2.2 on I thought...

scuby

Hecklar wrote: »

Anyone bought one yet? Are they locked to Vodafone?

JustinOval wrote: »

That's a standard feature from 2.2 on I thought...

i was looking at the attached link, scroll down to the 4 video's and one has it being unlocked, and the other shows the wifi hotspot...

Easy Rider

Has wi-fi hotspot from the reviews I read.

Ordered mine and was dispatched today, hope to have it tomorrow, will let you know what I think of it...

thomasj

From nexus site google.co.uk/nexus

Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
Nexus S can function as a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to six portable devices such as laptops or tablets. Once connected, these devices will have access to the Internet.*

Heroditas

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Wouldn't go near one on those plans. €35 for 1gb of data, no minutes and no texts. Pathetic.

It's unlimited texts and minutes to other Vodafone numbers though, isn't it?
However, most of their new tariffs only offer 500MB of data .... now that's REALLY scabby!

Hecklar

I nearly bought it earlier on, but it does feel pretty cheap. Needs a metal back cover or something i reckon.

The guy in Vodafone said its locked to their network, Anyone confirm this? Its no use to me unless its simfree.

srsly78

Some people just don't like the plastic finish, I think it looks and feels better than any other phone.

There is actually a metal plate on the back, just under the cover. This is used for the NFC. Probably why they used plastic in the first place, metal case would interfere.

Hecklar

I mean a metal case to improve the feel and stiffness, It "looks" fine, but its too flexible and cheap feeling. you can actually make it creak in your hand.

That said, Ive used it as far back as last November/December so this wasn't a shock to me. Its defo in need of some after market casings of some sort to make it feel like its worth more than a packet of meanies. Maybe that company that make the iPhone4 brushed stainless back might do something if its popular enough.

mkennedy

How long before NFC is fully up and running here.

srsly78

Hecklar wrote: »

I mean a metal case to improve the feel and stiffness, It "looks" fine, but its too flexible and cheap feeling. you can actually make it creak in your hand.

That said, Ive used it as far back as last November/December so this wasn't a shock to me. Its defo in need of some after market casings of some sort to make it feel like its worth more than a packet of meanies. Maybe that company that make the iPhone4 brushed stainless back might do something if its popular enough.

I have mine in a gelcase so it hardly matters. I LOVE the plastic curved screen, it is awesome. I also love how this phone is thinner and lighter than the others. It does not feel cheap just because it's not a metal brick. Put Nexus S beside any other device and it makes the other look cheap (that's not even talking about the performance etc). Have you actually put Nexus S beside iphone4? Nexus is thinner and slicker and blacker, winner hands down.

As the recent antenna debacle has shown, having a metal body isn't necessarily a good idea.

After-market casing is not optional on any phone, no device will survive an unlucky fall. That said "screen protectors" are a waste of time. CPW sold me gelcase for tenner with the Nexus S.

srsly78

mkennedy wrote: »

How long before NFC is fully up and running here.

How long is a piece of string? Anyone can use NFC for whatever they want. You are waiting for government to set it up?

It took off in London because of the Oyster card, a unified travel ticket that _everone_ has in their pocket. Not using Oyster in London is unthinkable (save up to 75% on tube/bus). Because of this lots of small retailers are hooking into it to sell various stuff. Time will tell if using it on phone really takes off. The SDK to code for it was just updated last week, I should really get around to messing with new features.

Hecklar

srsly78 wrote: »

I have mine in a gelcase so it hardly matters. I LOVE the plastic curved screen, it is awesome. I also love how this phone is thinner and lighter than the others. It does not feel cheap just because it's not a metal brick. Put Nexus S beside any other device and it makes the other look cheap (that's not even talking about the performance etc). Have you actually put Nexus S beside iphone4? Nexus is thinner and slicker and blacker, winner hands down.

As the recent antenna debacle has shown, having a metal body isn't necessarily a good idea.

After-market casing is not optional on any phone, no device will survive an unlucky fall. That said "screen protectors" are a waste of time. CPW sold me gelcase for tenner with the Nexus S.

In fairness, I get the feeling from your posts around here that if you bought a block of shoite with an android logo you'd rate it as the best block of shoite in the world.

The screen is very subtly curved. hardly even noticable side by side with the Galaxy S. (infact i had to point it out to a friend who didnt even notice at the time)

The cheap feeling comes from its being plastic AND flexible/creaky. Not "just because its plastic". Its a complaint id have about the Galaxy S too, but to a lesser degree.

Against Iphone4 it wins hands down? c'mon man, are you having a laugh? As much as i hate supporting stevey jobs and his world domination attempts, The iPhone4 is the benchmark to aim for when it comes to a smartphone's design and build quality. No android device is quite so well made - performance aside, as you said. Claiming otherwise only makes one look like one of those snotty teenager apple/android fanboys that latch onto brands like they are a way of life.

iPhone4s antenna-gate was NOTHING to do with being a metal case, it was to do with their decision to use an External Aerial. They could just as easily have made a metal cased phone with internal aerial and no reception problems.

Like i said, Its a nice phone and im really tempted to pick one up but its not much of a step up from a Galaxy S, even lacks some of the features i like of the Galaxy. If i could get a firm yes/no on whether vodafone's ones are locked then i could already have it now. But yes, a metal back would probably do this phone worlds of good.

Canada J Soup

On the question of whether or not the Nexus S is locked to Vodafone: I dropped into the Carphone Warehouse on Grafton St last night and the sales guy I spoke with there said that they are locked. While I'm not 100% convinced (I had been under the impression that all the Google branded Android devices were supposed to be unlocked), it gave me enough pause that I'll hold off on picking one up without someone having successfully used it with a non VF SIM.

Abelloid

Shops will always say they're locked.

Hecklar

Canada J Soup wrote: »

On the question of whether or not the Nexus S is locked to Vodafone: I dropped into the Carphone Warehouse on Grafton St last night and the sales guy I spoke with there said that they are locked. While I'm not 100% convinced (I had been under the impression that all the Google branded Android devices were supposed to be unlocked), it gave me enough pause that I'll hold off on picking one up without someone having successfully used it with a non VF SIM.

JustinOval wrote: »

Shops will always say they're locked.

My experience exactly.
I asked the chap on the counter if its defo confirmed as locked, or if they just say they are and infact aren't. This was the case with the Galaxy S from carfone warehouse too when i got it.

Can anyone back up that claim that they cant lock down the google phones, that their not allowed to mess with them before sale? I've heard it a few times now, once from someone who would be very well up on all that sort of thng.

Hecklar

CONFIRMED!
The Nexus S is simfree at the carphone warehouse.

scuby

as per the highlights video on the VF site, it's unlocked
http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/nexus

Hecklar

scuby wrote: »

as per the highlights video on the VF site, it's unlocked
http://www.vodafone.ie/offers/nexus

Yeah but vodafone are claiming otherwise in store.

I don't know why though... I would have spent 480 euro with them yesterday if they cut the bull**** and gave me the phone.

blue chuzzle

i cant believe anyone would consider buying a phone that's half as powerful as phones coming out in a few weeks.

your all crazy!

scuby

blue chuzzle wrote: »

i cant believe anyone would consider buying a phone that's half as powerful as phones coming out in a few weeks.

your all crazy!

any examples of whats coming out ?

srsly78

He means dualcore processors. Just as with PC, dual core does not mean twice as fast. Noone is even making apps that use the power of current handsets, let alone the next generation.

@hecklar: Why you so mad? Iphone hasn't been the benchmark in a long time.

Hecklar

I'm not mad, I'm a realist. Fanboi'ism is for 15 year old kids. That's why they don't call them "fanmen".

thomasj

Have just switched from an iPhone 3GS to a nexus and I like what I see so far!

Smoother keyboard, quicker in my opinion and I love the web browser

Another little thing I love the new smileys on the messaging app!

Hecklar

thomasj wrote: »

Have just switched from an iPhone 3GS to a nexus and I like what I see so far!

Smoother keyboard, quicker in my opinion and I love the web browser

Another little thing I love the new smileys on the messaging app!

Same here, the battery life is streets ahead of The galaxy but after loading everything on I occasionally notice a bit of lag, particularly with live wallpaper. The browser has been a little temperamental too, especially with boards beta theme. Other than that I'm very happy though.

scuby

Hecklar wrote: »

In fairness, I get the feeling from your posts around here that if you bought a block of shoite with an android logo you'd rate it as the best block of shoite in the world.

The screen is very subtly curved. hardly even noticable side by side with the Galaxy S. (infact i had to point it out to a friend who didnt even notice at the time)

The cheap feeling comes from its being plastic AND flexible/creaky. Not "just because its plastic". Its a complaint id have about the Galaxy S too, but to a lesser degree.

Against Iphone4 it wins hands down? c'mon man, are you having a laugh? As much as i hate supporting stevey jobs and his world domination attempts, The iPhone4 is the benchmark to aim for when it comes to a smartphone's design and build quality. No android device is quite so well made - performance aside, as you said. Claiming otherwise only makes one look like one of those snotty teenager apple/android fanboys that latch onto brands like they are a way of life.

iPhone4s antenna-gate was NOTHING to do with being a metal case, it was to do with their decision to use an External Aerial. They could just as easily have made a metal cased phone with internal aerial and no reception problems.

Like i said, Its a nice phone and im really tempted to pick one up but its not much of a step up from a Galaxy S, even lacks some of the features i like of the Galaxy. If i could get a firm yes/no on whether vodafone's ones are locked then i could already have it now. But yes, a metal back would probably do this phone worlds of good.

Hecklar wrote: »

Yeah but vodafone are claiming otherwise in store.

I don't know why though... I would have spent 480 euro with them yesterday if they cut the bull**** and gave me the phone.

Hecklar wrote: »

Same here, the battery life is streets ahead of The galaxy but after loading everything on I occasionally notice a bit of lag, particularly with live wallpaper. The browser has been a little temperamental too, especially with boards beta theme. Other than that I'm very happy though.

Jeez, i thought you wre totally against it going on the first few posts, but now happy with it ?

Hecklar

No no, I said from the begining its a nice phone, and i was in the market for a phone within the next couple of weeks anyway, hence not waiting for the Galaxy S 2 so i bought it.

I never said i wouldn't buy it, as i was intending to all along. I only pointed out area's were i think its let down for those who might wanna buy one just so they know its not all great news. I've no doubt if i gave you this phone tomorrow you would find some niggly things with it that you'd like improved and without reports like that from genuine, non fanboi types a lot of people would buy these things and expect far more than they are getting, only to be dissapointed and left wondering what all the fuss was about.

A friend has this phone since the end of last year so its not new to me. ive played with it already and knew of some of its faults.
Maybe the big post i made came across as a little anti-nexus, That was unintentional but i was basically highlighting where another poster was spitting out inaccurate information based on nothing more than sentimentality for the phone/brand.

I don't have an emotional connection with my phone, nor with its maker so I call a spade a spade and point at the cons, aswell as the pro's. At the moment i am an iPhone, Galaxy S and Nexus S owner and see myself as being indenpenant of fanboi'ism.


A few other little niggles ive found with the phone since getting it yesterday,

Awaken screen -When i take it away from my ear after a call the screen doesn't re'illuminate for me to hang up, making it a pain to make sure the call is actually ended. The iPhone does this and im pretty sure the Galaxy S too, will have to confirm.

Browser -The web browser is a total piece of crap. It scrolls way too fast and if you have a text box open, (like a quick reply to this thread for instance) and you try to scroll to the "Submit Reply" button it keeps jumping way ahead and going to either end of the post instead of where the post button is.

Lag -The phone still suffers Galaxy S'esque lag, although not nearly as extreme. I dont have a whole lot of apps on it at the moment. Theres a few albums and a movie with 11.28GB still free and i get that choppy/laggyness at times on the home screen. I'm not entirely sure if its down to the widgets or whatever.

The design - A small complaint here i know, but after taking it out of your pocket its very difficult to know which end is which. lol The physical home button on the Galaxy S meant this wasnt a problem but with the touch buttons not lit up its very hard to tell. They also need to be brighter, hard to see in well lit conditions and when you chop and change between phones, you rely on them being visible.

Flexibility - Theres a lot of plastic in the making of this phone, its a bit on the soft side and you can actually torque it a little. The Galaxy was similar but not to the same extent. iPhone is as hard as rock compared.

Apps locations - Apps are arranged alphabetically with this 2.3 launcher, unlike with the older types where you could place your more frequent apps at the first few pages, and the less important or unused stuff down the end. Now you have to scroll through whatever comes first alphabetically to find what you need.

Notification Slide Down Bar - I don't like how it lacks the controls for toggling on or off Wifi, bluetooth, GPS etc etc as on the Galaxy. That was a really handy menu that i used all the time. The power widget just isnt the same, thanks to the lack of the rotation lock. Theres probably a few more little things but its late and im half asleep.

Some of the good points though,

Curved screen - Although almost completely unnoticeable to look at, it prevents the screen getting scratched if you leave it face down on a flat surface. other than that its pretty much useless in terms of the curve.

Screen itself - exactly the same as the Galaxy and thats not a bad thing. very detailed, clear screen.

Flash - (camera), This is something that drove me nuts with the galaxy S. it needs a flash and this one performs pretty well, concidering its a phone. Sometimes a little over exposed but you can compensate for that in the settings.

Battery - Battery performance seems to be well ahead of the Galaxy S battery, even when the Galaxy was stock with no custom roms. Defo a big plus for the Nexus here.


Overall its very very similar to the galaxy, if maybe a bit better looking.

TotallyEpic

Sim free?