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Engadget Primed: What is NFC, and why do we care?
Primed goes in-depth on the technobabble you hear on Engadget every day -- we dig deep into each topic's history and how it benefits our lives. Looking to suggest a piece of technology for us to break down? Drop us a line at primed *at* engadget *dawt* com. The introduction of Google Wallet felt a little too good to be true, didn't it? It's magical, like the tech equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat. In reality, the tech behind mobile payments has been around since 2003 on a much smaller scale using near-field communications, more commonly known as NFC. The idea behind Wallet (amongst other services, like ISIS) is contactless pay -- using your phone as a credit card -- and is just one of the many ways NFC can be useful in our everyday lives. In fact, we're only scraping the surface of what's theoretically possible. Google is definitely not the first company to dabble in NFC, but it appears to be poised and ready to push the tech's adoption forward at a rapid pace with the advent of Wallet and Offers. Until now the coals have been hot; but if a fire's going to start, someone monolithic has to throw a few newspapers in as kindling -- and Google volunteered. But what good is NFC if it's just an acronym that causes our eyes to glaze over? Is El Goog the only instigator? After the break we'll focus on what NFC is capable of, and why we want it on our phones as soon as yesterday.
Engadget Investigates: Samsung Nexus S 4G WiMAX performance issues
In Engadget Investigates, we explore major issues, working with tech manufacturers and service providers to improve your experience with the gadgets we've all come to depend on. If you'd like us to look into an issue, please send us a tip, including "Investigate" in the subject line. Samsung's highly-anticipated Nexus S 4G joined the WiMAX family this month, pairing Google's popular Nexus handset with Sprint's 4G network. But with the honeymoon over, customers have noticed that the Gingerbread device isn't living up to Sprint's former flagship mates, such as the Epic 4G, with last year's model besting the new guy on both speed and network reception tests. Customers also noticed issues with battery life, though so far we've found it to be consistent with other WiMAX smartphones. We took both out for a stroll around New York City, and on a quick weekend getaway to Miami Beach, and we're sorry to report that we've confirmed your fears about performance. Sprint and Google have confirmed that they're looking into the performance issues, and we hope they can patch things up with some over-the-air update therapy, but in the meantime, jump past the break to see what we found.
Confirmed: T-Mobile blocking GTalk video chat over 3G on Nexus S
Many Nexus S owners received a rude surprise when attempting to initiate an Android 2.3.4 video chat on T-Mobile's 3G network. Rather than being greeted by a smiling friend on the screen, a terse message explained "You must be connected to a WiFi network to start a video chat." Ouch. Doing the responsible thing, we tested the issue and were able to confirm that T-Mo is blocking this headline feature -- which worked just dandily over Sprint's 3G network on the Nexus S 4G. While the latest Gingerbread update includes built-in support for 3G video chat, Google has left the decision to mobile carriers whether to implement the functionality. We know choice is great, but when it ultimately hinders consumers, we'd really prefer an iron-fisted display of strength from Mountain View.
Nexus S 4G on sale today: $200 at Sprint, $150 at Best Buy
It looks the same, it works the same, and though it's three-tenths of a millimeter thicker than the original, Sprint's Nexus S 4G has one major difference: it sports a WiMAX radio. Today, the freshest Gingerbread smartphone goes on sale, just as planned, bringing the same 4-inch curved Super AMOLED screen, 1GHz Hummingbird chip and NFC capabilities your T-Mobile counterparts have enjoyed for months plus the promise of Google Talk video chat. Find it for $200 on-contract directly at Sprint, or shave $50 off the sticker price if you're a brand-new customer by trying Best Buy instead. [Thanks, Robert and Nick]
Nexus S 4G launch on Sprint now official: May 8th for $200
You've been able to pre-order the Sprint-ified version of the Nexus S for a good while now, but it's always good to add a concrete date for the end of the anticipation and the beginning of the Android 2.3 fun. That date has now been officially marked as May 8th. That's when your Pure Google device will be ready for use and abuse, though you'll have to accept the usual two-year commitment with Sprint and pay up the typical $200 entry fee. Intriguingly, the Nexus S 4G's release date matches up with a roadmap leak we saw recently, which also featured the Motorola Xoom launching on Sprint in "early May." Can't be long before that goes official as well now. Jump past the break for Sprint's PR regarding today's news.
Sprint Nexus S 4G available for pre-order at Best Buy
The Nexus S 4G is available for pre-order from Best Buy's website, meaning it can be yours without encountering a single smurf-shirted employee. Sprint's version of the Nexus S, now with WiMAX support, features a pure Gingerbread OS that's a perfect match for Google Voice. This Sammy sells for $199 with a two-year agreement, and while you're welcome to try your luck at a retail outlet, just be sure they don't give you T-Mobile's version. Of course we know the difference, but do they?
Motorola Xoom, Nexus S 4G hitting Sprint in early May?
Sprint service the only thing standing between you and a Motorola Xoom? Good news -- a tipster passed along an internal calendar showing an April 25th employee training date for the Honeycomb tablet, and while we're still taking it with a grain of salt, it seems like the real deal. If past products are any indication, it should hit Sprint stores a fortnight later, in early May, lining up nicely with those Xoom cases that were spotted a week back. The Nexus S 4G also looks to be slotted for employee training the same day, foreshadowing busy times ahead for the Now Network cashiers. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Samsung Nexus S 4G hits the FCC
Sprint still isn't offering anything more specific than "this spring" for a Nexus S 4G launch date, but it looks like we may now at least be one step closer to a release. The Google-approved phone just turned up at the FCC this weekend under the guise of "SPH-D720," which we've already had some indication was indeed Nexus S 4G's model number, and which has also turned up on Samsung's own site for the phone before being removed for one reason or another (see an image of the cached site after the break). As you can see above, the illustration also cuts a familiar outline, and the FCC tests reveal the presence of a Sprint-friendly WiMAX radio, which folks will hopefully be able to put to use sooner rather than later.
Google Nexus S 4G for Sprint hands-on (video)
We finally got our hands on the elusive Samsung Nexus S 4G for Sprint at CTIA here today and it's pretty much what you'd expect: a Nexus S with its GSM / HSPA radio swapped for a set of Sprint-compatible CDMA / EV-DO and WiMAX radios. While the Nexus S 4G lacks a SIM slot, it's actually 0.3mm thicker than the Nexus S -- that's the thickness of a business card, and is meaningless for all practical purposes. The phone also features a 4G signal indicator in the status bar, along with a 4G sub-menu in the wireless settings. Our demo unit was running Android 2.3.4 (!) -- a version we have not yet come across -- but we were told that neither the hardware nor the software are final at this point. So don't be surprised if the production model receives a few tweaks before launch. Perhaps a Sprint logo? Enjoy the gallery below, and hop past the break for our hands-on video. %Gallery-119694%
Google Nexus S 4G with WiMAX announced for Sprint: coming this spring for $200
For a while, it seemed like the 850 / 1900MHz 3G version of the Nexus S that'd work on AT&T, Bell, Telus, and Rogers would be the next one to show up, but Sprint ended up emerging as the frontrunner more recently -- and now it's official. The Nexus S 4G stays true to the T-Mobile-flavored original, offering an unfettered stock Gingerbread experience; it's fractions of a millimeter thicker and a couple grams heavier, but the real change is inside where you'll find both CDMA / EV-DO and WiMAX radios -- hence the "4G" in the name. There'll be a menu option for turning WiMAX on and off -- good for those times when you value battery life over breakneck browsing speeds -- and considering Sammy's prior experience rolling the Epic 4G for Sprint, we're cautiously optimistic that the Nexus S hardware will make the transition from GSM with minimum pain. The new version will be available "this spring" for $199.99; follow the break for Samsung's full press release.
Nexus S 4G confirmed by Sprint's own website, first 'fully integrated' Google Voice smartphone
in case we didn't leak this thoroughly enough for your tastes, here's Sprint spoiling its own surprise: the Nexus S is coming to the Now Network in a 4G flavor. Touted as "Pure Google," this WiMAX-toting device will be the very first to feature "fully integrated" Google Voice -- which we're told means using only one number for all your calls and permits for things like web calling and voicemail transcription. Pretty snazzy, if you ask us, and potentially even more important than the mere addition of 4G networking. All it took to discover this bit of intel was a casual search for "nexus" on Sprint's web portal, not exactly the hardest snooping job ever, but we appreciate our eagle-eyed tipster for doing it all the same. Now it's just a matter of waiting a few more hours until Sprint's CTIA event to hear the full details of its collaboration with Google. [Thanks, MTW] Update: What do you know, Sprint must read Engadget. The offending search topic has now disappeared from its public servers. Update 2: And now it's official. $200 on a two-year contract, arriving this spring.
Motorola Xoom with Sprint insignia, Nexus S 4G logo leak out
If you've been following these here pages closely, you'll know that a little device named the Nexus S 4G is coming to Sprint's network, with the expectation being that it'll be announced at CTIA early next week. Fueling our previous info on the matter, we've now gotten ahold of an image purporting to be the logo that Sprint and Google will be using to represent their new WiMAX-equipped collaboration. That can be found after the break, but what you're really eager to learn more about is that image of a Motorola Xoom with a Now Network logo on it, right? Well, it comes from the same source, whose record of revealing Sprint pre-release hardware (and not getting fired) is quite exemplary, so we're willing to credit it as the real deal. We've no launch dates or pricing details to share as yet, but it's not unreasonable to expect Sprint will be disclosing all that juicy info during its extra-long CTIA presser. And if not, we'll keep tracking down these leaks and get it to you anyway! [Thanks, r0fl]
Sprint's Nexus website is 'coming soon'
Just to throw a little more fuel on the fire, it turns out that directing your browser to now.sprint.com/nexus takes you to a landing site where you're told that "this page will be ready soon." Certainly sounds more likely than ever that Sprint's preparing to launch its own variant of the Nexus S -- and if our sources are correct, it'll be called the Nexus S 4G, likely with both CDMA and WiMAX on board. Interestingly, both now.sprint.com/evoview and now.sprint.com/evo3d -- the other two devices in our rumor three-pack from earlier today -- redirect to Sprint's home page rather than giving you an HTTP 404 error, suggesting they're also real. CTIA kicks off in just over two weeks' time where these things are likely to be revealed, but who knows? Maybe they'll give us a little tease ahead of the show. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sprint announcing Nexus S 4G, EVO 3D, and EVO View tablet at CTIA?
The media -- yours truly included -- has been trying to figure out why Sprint has booked an insane two-and-a-half hour slot at CTIA later this month. That's not the kind of event you throw together just to rehash the devices you've introduced over the last half year -- something's up, and if our source is correct, they're up to something big. First, we're hearing that the carrier will launch the Nexus S 4G from Samsung, and judging from the name, the phone should be something akin to a Nexus S with WiMAX. It seems this one could be either the SPH-D600 or SPH-D720, both of which have recently received certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance, though the SPH-D720 is more likely; the D600 shows WPS support, which is available in TouchWiz-skinned devices but not in stock Gingerbread. You might recall that Sprint came very, very close to launching its own version of the Nexus One before dropping it in favor of the EVO 4G last year, so maybe they're ready to do the deed this time. Next, a couple that we don't have much detail on: the EVO 3D, which is... well, a 3D-capable EVO of some sort. 2011 is certainly shaping up to be the year of 3D phones and tablets, so that wouldn't be much of a surprise. The other unit in the mix is the EVO View, a tablet that we're guessing will shape up to be something of a CDMA-powered Flyer. If this all pans out, it's looking like Sprint could own this show. CES was a bit of a dud for them, you might recall -- the EVO Shift 4G was the only handset announcement there -- so they're overdue. [Thanks, anonymous tipster]