prime

Might this be the Nexus Prime?

With but one week to go till Samsung's October 11 event and most likely the unveiling of the Nexus Prime, it makes sense that we'd be seeing more images and details leaking onto the Internet.

Such is the case today as GSMArena has posted what appears to be the first in-the-wild image of the rumored Samsung smartphone.

According to the information listed on the handset's display, the much-anticipated "Pure Google" device will offer a 1,280x720-pixel-resolution HD display. The size of the screen has been calculated to be 4.6 inches--bigger than anything offered in the United States thus far. It's not immediately known whether the screen technology is PenTile matrix; however, the 320dpi pixel density should calm the most savage Android beast.

Looking closely at the bottom row of buttons, we can see that there are no hard keys in sight. This matches up nicely with longtime rumors that the first Ice Cream Sandwich devices would not have any physical buttons, relying on soft keys instead.

As we said, though, we're only a week away from finding out and CNET will be at the event, so be sure to check back next Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. PT for all the juicy details. … Read more

Samsung to show off Nexus Prime at Oct. 11 event?

The CTIA 2011 fall show is a couple of weeks away, but Samsung has already created a buzz with an invite it sent out last night for an October 11 event in San Diego.

The invitation notes that we'll get to see "what's new from Android," which certainly isn't anything out of the ordinary. Samsung is no stranger to pumping out Android devices. What's interesting to note, however, is that Samsung dubbed the event the "Google Episode," which might lead one to believe that we'll see a pure Google experience phone. … Read more

Amazon adds Fox content to instant video streaming

Thanks to a new licensing deal Amazon has made with 20th Century Fox, later this fall Amazon Prime members will be able to instantly stream such TV shows as "24," "The X-Files," and "Arrested Development" and such movies as "Office Space" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

The deal will bring the total number of "free" Prime instant videos to more than 11,000 movies and TV shows as Amazon continues its efforts to match up with Netflix in the digital streaming arena.

Amazon Prime currently costs $79 a year and allows members to get free two-day shipping on many products Amazon sells. Amazon is heavily pushing the program with enticements like video streaming because it stands to reason that Prime members are Amazon's most loyal shoppers. … Read more

No Samsung Galaxy S II on Verizon? No problem (Ask Maggie)

Verizon Wireless may not be getting Samsung's flagship Galaxy S II Android phone. But does it really matter? Word on the street is that the carrier may end up with something better.

Late last month, Verizon disappointed many of its customers when it confirmed it would not get the much anticipated Samsung Galaxy S II. The carrier didn't offer much explanation for why it was taking a pass on Samsung's hottest selling smartphone. Meanwhile, Verizon competitors AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint Nextel will each be offering the device.

But Verizon smartphone subscribers shouldn't fret … Read more

Report: Verizon to launch Samsung Droid Prime in October

We may have the name of the Samsung phone Verizon has scorned the Galaxy S II in favor of.

Boy Genius Report says the carrier will exclusively launch the Droid Prime in October instead. Apparently, Verizon worries that the Galaxy S II won't be able to compete with the iPhone 5 when it finally drops, and is opting to throw its weight behind a new Android flagship phone, likely to be one of the first running Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich."

If all rumors are true, it could set up a holiday shopping season showdown between the latest, most updated devices running both iOS and Android.

Samsung is also launching its own new instant-messaging service, available not only on Samsung Android phones like the Prime--or whichever model is tapped to go head-to-head with the new iPhone--but also as a download for iOS and Blackberry.

Verizon did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNET.… Read more

Latest Samsung leak confirms earlier rumors and fills in a few blanks

A second leaked Samsung road map surfaced today that seemingly confirms the manufacturer's handset plans for the next few months.

Italian tech blog telefonino has obtained multiple model numbers plus their related specs and launch dates. While Sammy was quick to acknowledge the first round of leaks as being inaccurate, those original details match up quite nicely with today's information.

Assuming that these new specs prove to be true, there are at least eight Android smartphones expected over the coming months. What's more, Samsung should refresh the 7-inch Galaxy Tab and also introduce a new Windows Phone … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1535: HP: WebOS? What WebOS? (Podcast)

If you stood by believing all of HP's grand proclamations about standing by WebOS and supporting it to the end, you're finding out the hard way that love really does hurt. A lot. Plus, we discuss whether HP really can make it in the post-PC world, and whether this was or wasn't the best week Microsoft has had in a long time. Also, we invent the Mail Truck Alternative to waiting 8 days for online TV, dish out some love advice on Computer Love, and find out why "kids" is apparently a dirty word.

Ice Cream Sandwich-powered Nexus Prime could come in October

New rumors and anonymous details have surfaced this week that point to a third "Pure Google" phone arriving in October with the latest build of Android, Ice Cream Sandwich.

According to information out of Korea's Electronic Times, the handset is expected to come from Samsung, run Android 4.0 and feature a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and 720p Super AMOLED HD display. These details confirm reports initially leaked by Boy Genius Report nearly two months ago.

Samsung has long been rumored to be the handset maker of choice for the Nexus Prime and this recent news appears to substantiate the claims. Just this week, a pair of sources separately confirmed with OLED-Info that Samsung is readying mobile displays with a 720p resolution.

Samsung is expected to unveil new devices with these HD screens in September, presumably at IFA. What's more, an unannounced Samsung Celox recently arrived on the scene, carrying nearly identical specifications in a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, 16GB storage, an 8-megapixel camera, and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. … Read more

Ice Cream Sandwich details, screenshots leaked

The folks at Android Police have taken the wrapper off Google's Ice Cream Sandwich.

The tech news site yesterday revealed several new details and a couple of screenshots of the upcoming edition of Android.

Showing Ice Cream Sandwich running on a Nexus S, the screenshots seen here are a bit dark but do point to changes in the user interface. As noted by Android Police, blue seems to be the theme color of the new OS, while the notification bar has gone through a major revamp.

Other screenshots published by tech site RootzWiki, as seen here, also show several … Read more

Is Google rushing to unwrap Ice Cream Sandwich?

Google is reportedly in a hurry to unfreeze Ice Cream Sandwich.

The company is hoping to take away a little heat from Apple by trying to roll out its next of version Android before the iPhone 5 debuts, says AppleInsider.

Dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich, the next flavor of Android was initially slated to appear toward the end of the year. But Google has apparently been working hard to push up the launch date, with the first devices aiming to reach consumers as early as October, according to Boy Genius Report.

Citing information from a "source with knowledge of Google'… Read more