nexus

Nexus 5: The likely price, specs, camera tech (video)

When it was first glimpsed, the Nexus 4 looked pretty similar to other smartphones -- quad-core, with a high-res display and a decent camera, and the latest version of Android chucked in for good measure.

What we weren't counting on however was the simply astonishing $299 price, which let smartphone owners working on a budget acquire a phone that was every bit as capable as the Samsung Galaxy S3, but cost half as much. A lack of LTE was painful to bear, but at this cost, who could complain?

Now we're standing on the prow of the good … Read more

Get the redesigned Google Play store app right now

Today Google announced a redesigned Play store app for Android users running Android 2.2 and above.

The redesign will begin showing up for users over the coming weeks, but if you're the type who doesn't like to wait, you can download and install the update yourself.

We knew it would only be a matter of time before the update was posted for all to enjoy, and thanks to Droid Life, you're a few seconds away from looking at the new Play store on your Android device.

Head on over to this post and follow one of … Read more

Google's next Nexus 7 could arrive in July, report says

Google's next-generation Nexus 7 tablet may be ready to hit the market by July.

The tech giant's latest offering will host a high-screen resolution and a thinner design, and will replace Nvidia's Tegra 3 processor with Qualcomm's Snapdragon chip, according to Reuters.

Both processors were considered, but Qualcomm's offering was selected due to "power reasons."

DisplaySearch analyst Paul Semenza has told CNET that although the 7-inch Nexus tablet currently supports a pixel density of 216 pixels per inch, the Asian supply chain indicates the next model may reach 323 pixels per inch. In … Read more

Prizefight: iOS 6 vs. Android Jelly Bean

It's a first time face-off between Apple and Google for smartphone operating system supremacy. New phones are being released every month, but one of the things that remains pretty constant are the operating systems they are running.

It's Apple's extremely popular iOS 6 taking on Android in its purest form with an unmodified Jelly Bean 4.2.2

iOS 6 brings its pick-up-and-play operating system, and the biggest and baddest ecosystem of content on a phone. Android brings its unmatched customization and more features than Panda Express has menu combinations

This one will always come down to … Read more

Behind-the-scenes: NASA's Nexus-powered drones

You could call them drones, or satellites -- NASA prefers the latter -- but these small flying robots that are being used on the International Space Station are powered by Nexus S smartphones.

Ars Technica has a lengthy writeup on how the space agency hacked smartphones to power its SPHERE (Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites) satellites after their original CPUs had become too slow for their needs. Modern handsets made sense since they have integrated cameras, sensors, Wi-Fi connectivity, and of course, a capable processor. … Read more

Rumor Has It: Will the iPhone 5S be a killer?

This week, it's all about the specs.

The next iPad Mini and Nexus 7 get release dates, but they'll apparently get something even more awesome: high-res screens. The next Google phone is rumored to do something so crazy that makes both of us go into a frenzy of punning. Oh, and Panasonic is bleeding money. Poor Panasonic.

And rounding out this week's rumors: one Apple analyst is sure that the next iPhone will have a killer feature that will put it ahead of the smartphone pack. What could this killer feature be? Leave us a comment and … Read more

Verizon's Samsung Galaxy Nexus gets Android 4.2.2

Verizon announced today that it's making the Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean software update available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Verizon says it'll push the update in "phases," which means that you may need to exercise a bit of patience if your phone doesn't receive the update in the first round.

At long last, Verizon's "pure Google" Samsung Galaxy Nexus has finally caught up with its Sprint counterpart in running the latest version of Android. Launched as the first Android device to run version 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the Galaxy … Read more

Google airs Nexus 10 ad focusing on how it's 'shareable'

In a new ad, Google aims to show just how "shareable" its Nexus 10 tablet is. The ad (see below) features a couple expecting a baby and has scenes bouncing back and forth between the two who each use the tablet to make calendar notes, share on Google+, and read up on pregnancy books.

It seems that Google's goal with the Nexus 10 ad is emphasize that more than one user can use the tablet, each with their own user login credentials. The ad ends with the line, "The shareable 10" tablet from Google." … Read more

Is this LG Nexus 5 leak the future? Or fantasy?

So, there's a few reasons that some insanely awesome specs for what's purported to be Google's next Nexus phone by LG just popped up less than 48 hours after the introduction of Samsung's new Android flagship, the Galaxy S4.

It could be that someone associated with Google or LG thought it might be a good idea to leak the details in order to take some wind out of Samsung's sails and give us a glimpse at some sweet next-generation hardware that's just a few months off. OR, we're just getting hella-trolled.

So I recommend grabbing Gandhi and heading to the sea to find enough grains of salt to take with this one, but it's still compelling enough to pass on.… Read more

Episode 30: A Chromebook Pixel drinking game!

I feel like I might be the only person in the world who loves the poor Chromebook Pixel. It's just so misunderstood, with its ridiculously high price, its tiny 32GB hard drive, and its odd 3:2 screen resolution. But the design is just so gorgeous (drink), and the touch screen is so exciting, and the Chrome OS is so simple and Web-based! Perhaps you'll fall in love like I did ... or be wildly skeptical like Jeff Cannata. Check out this week's Unboxing, and find out.

On the other hand, Jeff is delighted by the idea of … Read more