nexus

Is this buttonless phone the next Nexus handset?

Over the weekend, tech Web site TechHog posted, and subsequently removed, what might be the first look at the third Nexus handset.

The image showed a phone that had no carrier branding or logo, but the speaker at the top resembled recent HTC models. As BGR points out, the image has a little bit of Photoshop trickery and may not be an actual device. However, TechHog has since posted a different, albeit similar image of a phone. The difference here is that there now appears to be room for buttons across the bottom, possibly something that lights up when the phone is powered on.

If there's one thing I've learned covering Android for more than three years now it's that smoke often means fire. More often than not, Android rumors eventually pan out, and my gut tells me this could be the third Nexus handset. Toss in the fact that the tech blog was asked to take the post down, and this feels more right than wrong. … Read more

Rumor: iPhone 5 may use curved glass screen

The latest news to hit the iPhone 5 rumor mill is that Apple's next smartphone may sport a curved glass screen, similar to the one found on the iPod Nano 4G.

This latest report comes from Taiwan's DigiTimes. Citing industry sources, DigiTimes reported today that Apple has bought 200 or 300 glass-cutting machines to be used by glass makers, who are apparently hesitant to invest in the expensive equipment on their own.

To no surprise, no time frame has been released yet as to when the iPhone 5 may ramp up production, as DigiTimes says that Apple is … Read more

Android ups lead as ad network's top mobile platform

Android increased its lead over Apple's iOS in April as the top mobile platform tracked by ad network Millennial Media.

Releasing its April MobileMix report today, Millennial Media found that Android accounted for 53 percent of all ad impressions on its network last month, a gain of 10 percent from March. That marked the fifth consecutive month in which Google's mobile OS was the leader.

Android's growth in April came at the expense of both iOS and Research In Motion's BlackBerry OS.

For the month, the share of ad impressions for iOS fell to 28 percent … Read more

Intuit eyes NFC for mobile payment system

Intuit wants to give its customers a glimpse of the future of mobile payments through an adaptation of its GoPayment service that eliminates the need for credit cards.

Tapping into the growing field of NFC (near-field communication) technology, Intuit's reimagined GoPayment service would let consumers wirelessly pay for items on the go through just a touch of an NFC-enabled cell phone.

With the necessary NFC hardware and credit card information stored on a mobile phone, consumers could leave their money and credit cards at home and use their phones to buy items and services at stores, restaurants, and other … Read more

Sprint releases its Nexus S 4G smartphone

Smartphone buyers who've been waiting for the 4G version of the Nexus S can now pick up the new model.

Making its actual debut yesterday, the Samsung Nexus S 4G is available directly from Sprint for $199 with a two-year contract or for $549 without a contract. But Best Buy is offering an even better buy, selling the phone for $150 with the two-year committment.

The new Android phone builds upon the same specs found in the Nexus S offered by T-Mobile but with the faster speed kicked in by Sprint's WiMax network. However, that 4G and other cool new features will take a bite out of your wallet.

Buyers will have to sign up for Sprint's Everything Data plan, which starts at $69 per month. It's an extra $10 a month for the Premium Data Plan add-on. And if you want the mobile hot-spot feature that lets you connect up to six wireless devices, you'll have to throw in another $29 per month.… Read more

Samsung, AT&T holding event on May 5

It's shaping up to be an action-packed week in the mobile world with today's BlackBerry World announcements, and now a press conference on May 5, co-hosted by AT&T and Samsung.

The two companies just sent out invites to the event, which will take place in New York starting at 1 p.m. PT, but they revealed few details about what they will discuss. The invite does indicate that there will be product demos, so it's pretty safe to assume that we'll see a new phone or perhaps a tablet?

There are a couple of … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 46: Desire and the Cute Girl Index

Nielsen thinks that Android phones are finally more desirable than iPhones, but Antuan could have told you that based on less than scientific observations. Justin shows us a phone that he does not desire, the HTC Droid Incredible 2. The unlikely Barnes & Noble Nook Color is rapidly becoming the most desirable Android tablet thanks to a new firmware update. Meanwhile, Motorola plans to give hardcore users what they truly desire, quad-core processors and more hacker friendly Android phones. All of that plus more news and the answers to your emailed questions on this week's episode of Android Atlas … Read more

Google Nexus teases surprise via Twitter

Oh, Google Nexus, you're such a tease! Earlier today, the official Twitter account for the Google Android phone sent out a message saying that a surprise was on its way and to "Stay tuned!" We're still waiting for the news to drop, but you know that's not going to stop us or you from guessing.

Thus far, the Nexus name has only been associated with smartphones, so it's possible we could see another handset by the end of the day. However, as IntoMobile notes, it would make more sense to introduce such a device … Read more

PlayStation breach

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

Sony admits to a major security breach in the PlayStation Network

YouTube may be poised to take on Netflix in the movie rental business

The Nexus S 4G will launch on Sprint on May 8

The updated Nook Color will let authors sign your digital books

Sprint announces Nexus S 4G for May 8

Sprint today announced that the Samsung Nexus S will arrive May 8 with a $199 price tag. The handset, officially known as the Nexus S 4G, features everything we've seen on the T-Mobile-supported device, including the stock Android interface.

Features include Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a 1GHz processor, a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, a 5-megapixel camera, 16GB internal memory, a front-facing VGA camera, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth, GPS, and support for NFC. The Nexus S 4G is the fourth 4G Android smartphone from Sprint, following the Evo 4G, Epic 4G, and most recently, the Evo Shift 4G. … Read more