The latest Android smartphone, the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus, went on sale this morning on Verizon’s website. As we reported this morning, the phone is running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. Remarkably, however, the phone will be due a software update right out of the box. Within two hours of activation users will be receiving an operating system upgrade to Android 4.0.2, an update that will mainly consist of a few tweaks and bug fixes.
Features of the update include data traffic and mobile hotspot optimizations, camera tweaks, a bug with email attachments, and a handful of other oddments. On the whole it appears to be a relatively minor update, though it does deal with some fairly important features of the phone. The fact that the update is coming out almost immediately is rather unusual, however.
Meanwhile, Google has posted about the phone on their mobile blog. They include a link to their official product page, and direct users to a number of stores where they can purchase the phone. Retailers include Verizon stores (obviously), as well as Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Costco. In addition to the US, the phone is also available in the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, and Canada, and will be launching “soon” in several other countries, including Australia, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong (where Samsung, the phone’s manufacturer is based). The post also includes a video, embedded below, demonstrating the phone’s remarkable Face Unlock feature, which combines the front-facing camera with facial recognition software to make sure that only certain people can unlock the phone.
As amazing as the Face Unlock feature seems to be, though, one Twitter user may already have found a flaw:
@flyosity
Mike RundleFace-unlocked my friend’s Galaxy Nexus by showing it a photo. Awesome feature!
2 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
The Galaxy Nexus has already proven to be a hot ticket item. In a scene more reminiscent of an iPhone or iPad launch, the new device has actually had people lining up outside Verizon stores. The reaction has drawn the attention of a number of iPhone bloggers, prompting Grant Paul, a well-known figure in the iOS jailbreak community, to respond on Twitter.
@chpwn
Grant Paul (chpwn)Oh c’mon Apple bloggers. People actually want the Galaxy Nexus and are lining up for it. Accept it, get over it, and move on. 1 hour ago via Tweetbot for iPhone · powered by @socialditto
[Hat Tip: Droid Life]