Database Info

What will the next big Google phone be?

I know that typically a few "Google Experience" devices come out each year. But, has there been any speculation on what the next major Google phone will be... as in the Nexus S sequel. (I am aware this hasn't been out that long, but it isn't in the cards to upgrade now, so I'm looking to the future )

I'm hoping it's a Nexus device either from HTC or Motorola - however with this 'own Motorola OS' rumour swirling around, that's looking unlikely, currently. But if the HTC Pyramid is a Nexus device, that'll be my next phone. Period. It'll be my next phone even if it isn't

Ya, I'm using an Atrix right now, and while I know it gets a lot of hate, I love the power. It's a great phone in terms of speed and potential. And, in spite of the restrictions it can do a lot. But, I want the freedom of a full on Google phone. I can't wait to hear what the Nexus 3 will be.

The Nexus One was clearly designed to rival anything else at the time in terms of specs, to be a development platform that would stay relevant for as long as possible.
This was a handset designed to make a serious splash and show Google's vision and determination for the platform.
The Nexus S on the other hand is a single-sore handset in a soon-to-be dual-core world. It's the complete opposite of the Nexus One in terms of making a splash, the only news features it brought to the table were gimmicks, like the concave screen; or features that are some time away from having any mainstream significance, like NFC.
The only thing I can think of is that there's some sort reason why Google have chosen to stick with single-sores CPUs for now - lack of proper dual-core utilisation by the OS maybe? I mean, it's not much of a development platform if you start introducing new features/hardware that the OS can't make proper use of...
The next Nexus handset will be a dual-core CPU, we can be sure of that. And I personally reckon it will be launched to accompany an Android update that introduces proper dual-core optimisation.
But that's just me.

Step666 said:
The Nexus One was clearly designed to rival anything else at the time in terms of specs, to be a development platform that would stay relevant for as long as possible.
This was a handset designed to make a serious splash and show Google's vision and determination for the platform.
The Nexus S on the other hand is a single-sore handset in a soon-to-be dual-core world. It's the complete opposite of the Nexus One in terms of making a splash, the only news features it brought to the table were gimmicks, like the concave screen; or features that are some time away from having any mainstream significance, like NFC.
The only thing I can think of is that there's some sort reason why Google have chosen to stick with single-sores CPUs for now - lack of proper dual-core utilisation by the OS maybe? I mean, it's not much of a development platform if you start introducing new features/hardware that the OS can't make proper use of...
The next Nexus handset will be a dual-core CPU, we can be sure of that. And I personally reckon it will be launched to accompany an Android update that introduces proper dual-core optimisation.
But that's just me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy S was one of the best selling Android phones. Most likely the most sales for a similar models of this generation and there's even more variations just coming out. A Nexus S device made sense. Create a platform phone that has the broadest reach in terms of compatibility. Devs can then base their apps on that consistency. The Nexus One was simliar - (how many phones had the first gen Snapdragon? Tons.). They picked right for the time frame. Dual cores came out soon after but I don't see that level of hardware consistency coming until later this year.

I disagree - if they wanted a dev platform using the Hummingbird CPU, the time to release it was the same sort of time as the original Galaxy S, get it out there ASAP so that the people who needed it could start using it immediately.
They were late.
Which is not to say too late, it will still be of some use but plenty of developers will already have a Galaxy S is they want a Hummingbird-based test-bed, especially given how easy it is to get stock Android on it.
Also, whilst some manufacturers like Samsung are developing their own dual-core CPUs and HTC seem woefully tied to Qualcomm, nVidia's Tegra2 SoC does seem to have reached some level of wide-spread adoption - certainly amongst tablets and also with some of the dual-core handsets that are coming to the market. Heck, even Samsung are using it to bolster their low Exynos supplies.
It wouldn't've been too much of a gamble on Google's part to have released a Tegra2-based dev handset IMO - not really that much less consistency than there has been the past 12 months.

No idea.... please post if come to know about it.

The Nexus is a showcase phone so the next one will showcase Ice-Cream when it comes...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...h-new-Ice-Cream-Android-operating-system.html

I hope it's a Verizon phone, every other carrier has or will be getting a Nexus phone.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.

I Am Marino said:
I hope it's a Verizon phone, every other carrier has or will be getting a Nexus phone.
Sent from my Incredible with the XDA Premium App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making it useless for a majority of the world... not sure I can see that happen while there are now radio chips that allow both GSM and CDMA.

DirkGently1 said:
The Nexus is a showcase phone so the next one will showcase Ice-Cream when it comes...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. It will definitely be using IceCream I think, and I'd definitely imagine it being HTC considering Motorola has dev's working on their own OS supposedly. Samsung and Sony pretty much do their own thing yeah?

buxtahuda said:
I'd definitely imagine it being HTC considering Motorola has dev's working on their own OS supposedly. Samsung and Sony pretty much do their own thing yeah?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would Samsung be any less likely to get the nod for the next Nexus handset than HTC? Both manufacturers have produced a Nexus-branded handset each, with Google choosing to move from HTC to Samsung for the last one.
If anything, I'd say Samsung are more likely to be selected, especially given they're actually improving on their previous handsets while HTC have stagnated.
As for SE, their entire survival revolves round Android, so I would hardly describe them as 'doing their own thing'.

I haven't particularly kept up with it all, only started the Android craze when I got this phone. I just remember the last time I looked at a SE phone it was using its own OS. And I definitely haven't worried with Droids or Nexus's, I didn't realize that the last Nexus was Samsung, I thought they were rolling heavy just on the Galaxy series.
We all start somewhere yeah
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Should partner with HTC ... should set a standard like what N1 did.

I would choose HTC again also. I do not agree that HTC is stagnated.
The build quality of the HTC´s phones is way better than Sammy. Sammy phones all look and feel like cheep plastic.
Just my 2 cents..

viperblast said:
I would choose HTC again also. I do not agree that HTC is stagnated.
The build quality of the HTC´s phones is way better than Sammy. Sammy phones all look and feel like cheep plastic.
Just my 2 cents..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True. I feel the same, any smartphone Samsung I've put in my hand feels like I'd lose or crush it easily. However I have noticed their screens seem a bit better in sunlight, and they do seem to try and innovate a bit. But HTC (they didn't used to be though) has finally gotten to a consistent point on quality.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA Premium

I guess there's still no rumors yet on what the ice cream showcase phone will be... I've been scouring the internet.

Hopefully google has learned to just sell their software and stay away from selling their own devices.

[Q] With ICS OTA will we loose everything?

Hi all,
After ICS OTA upgrade, will I have to reconfigure and reinstall all the apps?? Also, what about the media data?
TiA
- E.

It dosen't matter. Just backup with Titanium Backup and restore when it comes.

ElMango said:
Hi all,
After ICS OTA upgrade, will I have to reconfigure and reinstall all the apps?? Also, what about the media data?
TiA
- E.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll want to wait for a rooted version of the OTA anyway. It'll be out hours after the source is released. Then you can just use your favorite backup app to get your stuff back.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

Do we know approximately when the ICS is set to come. Since I got the 3D I haven't really kept up with Nexus news but I'm looking to come back to the flagship.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium

Samfirmware stated on twitter two days ago that it was close.
Twitter.com/samfirmware
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

Don't see why it would take Google sooooo long to release the OTA ? I mean, The community has had it built for Weeks. I guess I'm just a bit too impatient and don't really feel like rooting my phone.
Sent from my Nexus S HAM using XDA App

I'm the same. I've rooted by all the ICS ROM's still have bugs. I'd already have a Galaxy Nexus if they did not delay and delay then have volume bugs! If they released all the drivers from day one, we'd have a million decent custom ROM's...

the nexus s is supposed to be an android flagship phone. Its built with vanilla android so its the first and easiest phone to update, yet for weeks now people are walking around with 4.0 on their galaxy nexus and nexus s users are still left in the dark. say what you will about apple but when an update comes out all compatible devices receive the update that day. obviously im not saying every android should get this update in a timely manner, but a phone by google made for this situation certainly should

I have a question when they said that nexus s should receive ice cream sandwich within " weeks" after galaxy nexus release. Do you guys think the clock has started or are did they mean release in the united states?
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App

fightingroost12 said:
the nexus s is supposed to be an android flagship phone. Its built with vanilla android so its the first and easiest phone to update, yet for weeks now people are walking around with 4.0 on their galaxy nexus and nexus s users are still left in the dark.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you may want to recall how us Nexus One users were treated with Gingerbread when the NS came out. ICS was probably developed primarily on the GN, so NS development slips on the totem pole. At least you are getting official ICS...

Rod3 said:
Yeah, you may want to recall how us Nexus One users were treated with Gingerbread when the NS came out. ICS was probably developed primarily on the GN, so NS development slips on the totem pole. At least you are getting official ICS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea your right, im very happy just to be on gingerbread (anyone with an x10 or intercept will agree with me) and i wouldnt even mind waiting for the update, its mostly the lack of any information from google thats killing me

hamiltus said:
Don't see why it would take Google sooooo long to release the OTA ? I mean, The community has had it built for Weeks. I guess I'm just a bit too impatient and don't really feel like rooting my phone.
Sent from my Nexus S HAM using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because unlike the Community, Google has certain standards it must meet before releasing an OTA. I mean no respect towards the community but no company could ever release partially working builds.

fightingroost12 said:
the nexus s is supposed to be an android flagship phone. Its built with vanilla android so its the first and easiest phone to update, yet for weeks now people are walking around with 4.0 on their galaxy nexus and nexus s users are still left in the dark. say what you will about apple but when an update comes out all compatible devices receive the update that day. obviously im not saying every android should get this update in a timely manner, but a phone by google made for this situation certainly should
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus S will get a ICS update LOOONNNGGGG before any other phone will and ICS was built for the Galaxy Nexus so THAT was the first and easiest to develop for. The Nexus S is next.

I don't really care the Nexus S gets the update before other phones, I just want it asap.
I'd gladly have every compatible phone receive ICS tomorrow as long as I got it on my NS.
And, much as I don't like it; the Apple comparisons are true. Apple do release new OS available for everyone to download on the same day their new device featuring that OS is launched.
People say that it would be ridiculous to expect updates until the GN has been out a while, but why? Google should have made the next update available on the day they announced ICS.

Corvidd said:
I don't really care the Nexus S gets the update before other phones, I just want it asap.
I'd gladly have every compatible phone receive ICS tomorrow as long as I got it on my NS.
And, much as I don't like it; the Apple comparisons are true. Apple do release new OS available for everyone to download on the same day their new device featuring that OS is launched.
People say that it would be ridiculous to expect updates until the GN has been out a while, but why? Google should have made the next update available on the day they announced ICS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apple also restricts new features to older phones to encourage people to upgrade. Just look at Siri as a fine example, it's *only* available on the 4s even though it's been proven that it will run fine on the 4. Similar constraints can be found with each model upgrade.
When ICS comes out for the nexus S, it will be fully functional with no neutering of any feature. so how does one "encourage" people to upgrade? you delay the update to crank in some early sales.

Matridom said:
Apple also restricts new features to older phones to encourage people to upgrade. Just look at Siri as a fine example, it's *only* available on the 4s even though it's been proven that it will run fine on the 4. Similar constraints can be found with each model upgrade.
When ICS comes out for the nexus S, it will be fully functional with no neutering of any feature. so how does one "encourage" people to upgrade? you delay the update to crank in some early sales.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all because thats true it doesnt make the other point invalid. When a new iphone comes out, all iphones (and ipod touches mind you) get the update that day.

fightingroost12 said:
all because thats true it doesnt make the other point invalid. When a new iphone comes out, all iphones (and ipod touches mind you) get the update that day.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the iPod second generation have IOS 5? What about the original iPhone?
Sent from my Nexus S

Matridom said:
Does the iPod second generation have IOS 5? What about the original iPhone?
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is the nexus one getting ICS? how about the G1?

fightingroost12 said:
is the nexus one getting ICS? how about the G1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point, but this is due to hardware limitations. Siri for example will run fine on older devices. also if I know the Xda, there will be a ROM available
Sent from my Nexus S

Matridom said:
Point, but this is due to hardware limitations. Siri for example will run fine on older devices. also if I know the Xda, there will be a ROM available
Sent from my Nexus S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course there will be, there already are roms available now for the g1. the original iphone obviously has the same problem the g1 has, hardware limitations. When 4.0 came out the iphone 3gs was laggy and almost unusable until apple released a second update to fix the mess. But were losing sight of the point, when an OS is released by apple all phones (fine all compatible phones) get it that day. Sure it doesnt have all the features as the newest iphones, and by not all the features i mean ONE feature as in siri, but they get the update at least. What have we received since the galaxy nexus was released? And i honestly dont even care enough to keep talking about it, but when ever people hear about apple they always have to but in with "YEA BUT APPLE SUCKS CAUSE ____" which isnt the point, i was making a comparison.
like i said before all because one statement is true, it doesnt make the other statement false.

What to do?

So I had a Droid Eris from launch. Rooted, up to 2.2 (2.3 maybe), overclocked, blah blah, then Apple said, "Verizon....thoust shall have iPhone". I was due for an upgrade, traded in my eris, and got an iPhone 4. Well the time has come again. I am due for an upgrade this October. It has been awhile, but my #1 reason for leaving Android was the fragmentation of the software. It seemed that there were only a select few phones that got the new software when it came out. Is this still true? I will wait to see what the iPhone 5 has to offer, but who knows, with the right droid I might come back....

Well, fragmentation has been a problem for android...
Currently, the "best" android on the market are quad core ones, with Sgs3 leading the pack overall...
However, if you want a pure google experience, and a device which is future-update proof, you should seriously consider the Galaxy Nexus...(or its phone successor, in the Nexus line)
These are guaranteed updates for atleast two android versions since they do not run any custom skin on the OS...
Also, the Nexus line is the first to receive official updates, coming directly from Google...
Since you haven't had problems with iOs, you can wait for iPhone 5...
(I'll keep my viees on iOS and Apple to myself, and urge fellow users to give unbiased follow-ups)
- Via xda premium

Thanks for the incite. I am a Verizon guy, so the SG3 (for now) is my main choice. Wish google would release the Nexus for Verizon.
a.cid said:
Well, fragmentation has been a problem for android...
Currently, the "best" android on the market are quad core ones, with Sgs3 leading the pack overall...
However, if you want a pure google experience, and a device which is future-update proof, you should seriously consider the Galaxy Nexus...(or its phone successor, in the Nexus line)
These are guaranteed updates for atleast two android versions since they do not run any custom skin on the OS...
Also, the Nexus line is the first to receive official updates, coming directly from Google...
Since you haven't had problems with iOs, you can wait for iPhone 5...
(I'll keep my viees on iOS and Apple to myself, and urge fellow users to give unbiased follow-ups)
- Via xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Android updates...

Just got a thought about android updates.
And it goes like this:
Google must specify the least requirements/specifications that a phone must hold to run operating system smoothly.
Like Microsoft do,example windows 7 requires minimum1gb ram,2ghz processor or whatever it is.
This will make mobile companies/manufacturers work on providing updates instead of giving lame excuses.
What do you think???

Well,
It would only result in a consumption market (again) in which google put's the requirements a bit higher after each update of the Android software since the cellphone makers are putting faster cpu's and gpu's in there. Goes with everything in our economy btw.

Just because there is powerful hardware does not mean there will be updates.
The biggest culprit is the CARRIER who often refuses to release the update for a few months. This is why the VZW galaxy nexus was such a big flop
Sent from my Nexus 4

when will get jellybean update for g2

gagdude said:
Just because there is powerful hardware does not mean there will be updates.
The biggest culprit is the CARRIER who often refuses to release the update for a few months. This is why the VZW galaxy nexus was such a big flop
Sent from my Nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know carrier delay in releasing updates but for unlocked devices it will be great.
And also you can flash unlocked version on other locked models...

Even the OEMs wouldn't want to update their older phones Cuz nobody would upgrade their phones to their latest flagships, if they gave out all the updates!
Sent from the zombie world. No they aren't coming yet!

The problem is that after carriers have sold you the phone there is no incentive to provide any more support than they promised you when you signed the contract. It is more profitable for them to just sell you a new phone when your software become outdated.

Android N On nexus 5 Petition

please subscribe https://www.change.org/p/google-and...ents_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink

azazello1998 said:
please subscribe https://www.change.org/p/google-and...ents_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahah no..
Do you really think a petition will make any difference? If google decides to not give just one more Android update for the Nexus 5, than it will be over.
A petition will not prevent or do anything about that.

Mr.FREE_Bird said:
Hahah no..
Do you really think a petition will make any difference? If google decides to not give just one more Android update for the Nexus 5, than it will be over.
A petition will not prevent or do anything about that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just subscribe please.If you believe,it will be reality

azazello1998 said:
just subscribe please.If you believe,it will be reality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No srry man, some years back I've done the same thing for the Nexus 3 (Samsung Galaxy Nexus) because it wasn't getting a official Android KitKat update.
Google is such a big company... they don't care about just a petition. They have given us the promised support time, they owe us nothing.
The only thing we can do is keeping our fingers crossed and keep hoping this awesome phone will get just one more Android update.
BTW, with the ''same thing" I mean signing a petition, not creating one.

azazello1998 said:
just subscribe please.If you believe,it will be reality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything has a limit. The petition will not help. If you want Android N, then install custom ROMs. Nexus 5 was released 3 years ago and it's old enough when it comes to technology. Just buy a new Nexus if you want an official Android update, or custom ROMs like I've said.

This is what irks me about the mindset of people and manufacturers these days..
Just because a device was released a little less than 3 years ago, doesn't mean it's ready for the scrapyard yet.
I haven't played with any of the current flagships but I don't feel the need because my Nexus 5 still runs just great for me. I don't notice any real slowdowns and to me it's just as good as the day I bought it so would should I have to upgrade ???
Case in point, take a look at Apple.. I have an ipad 2 that was released in early 2011. It's on iOS V9 and just reached it's end of life for support this month with the release or iOS 10... And I FULLY UNDERSTAND because it is truly starting to show it's age and run like molasses.
Additionally the Nexus 5 still outperforms most if not all of the newly released "mid range" phones and will probably continue to outperform most of them into next year.
Because carriers subsidize phones over 2 year contracts, a lot of people prefer to go that route and get new subsidized devices. That doesn't mean that people who spend their hard earned money on a device should be obligated to buy a new one to remain current. Outside of the Nexus world I realize this gets incrementally complex with the introduction of the Manufacturers and then the carriers but that's the whole point and allure of buying a Nexus to begin with.
As noted you will see updates continue with this phone for a long time to come via custom roms which will be proof enough to show this phone is more than capable of running the latest and greatest.
I'm disappointed that Google has decided to follow what appears to be a carrier life cycle for supporting their devices.
thogz11 said:
Everything has a limit. The petition will not help. If you want Android N, then install custom ROMs. Nexus 5 was released 3 years ago and it's old enough when it comes to technology. Just buy a new Nexus if you want an official Android update, or custom ROMs like I've said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Done

thogz11 said:
Everything has a limit. The petition will not help. If you want Android N, then install custom ROMs. Nexus 5 was released 3 years ago and it's old enough when it comes to technology. Just buy a new Nexus if you want an official Android update, or custom ROMs like I've said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have been lobotomized jk
N5 will work flawlessly under Android N. I have no doubt about that.
Luckily, we have custom ROMs but Google should support the Nexus devices for 5 years. Google complains about Android's fragmentation but they do participate by limiting their support. There's no (real) need to buy a new Nexus every 2/3 years.

"Just because a device was released a little less than 3 years ago, doesn't mean it's ready for the scrapyard yet."
This is not a mindset, it's reality and people has nothing to do but to accept it. Manufacturers keep on releasing new phones annually, even 2 phones every year.
If they don't scrap old devices, they can't sell and people won't buy the new devices. It's part of marketing. Of course Nexus 5 still performs great and I'm still using it right now running Marshmallow.
Android is different from iOS. Apple devices has longer support and there are only few iOS devices compare to Android devices. There are too many Android Manufacturers and it is still growing, even Google can't stop it. That's one of the reasons why Google limit and had to shorten its support to old devices.

the.teejster said:
This is what irks me about the mindset of people and manufacturers these days..
Just because a device was released a little less than 3 years ago, doesn't mean it's ready for the scrapyard yet.
I haven't played with any of the current flagships but I don't feel the need because my Nexus 5 still runs just great for me. I don't notice any real slowdowns and to me it's just as good as the day I bought it so would should I have to upgrade ???
Case in point, take a look at Apple.. I have an ipad 2 that was released in early 2011. It's on iOS V9 and just reached it's end of life for support this month with the release or iOS 10... And I FULLY UNDERSTAND because it is truly starting to show it's age and run like molasses.
Additionally the Nexus 5 still outperforms most if not all of the newly released "mid range" phones and will probably continue to outperform most of them into next year.
Because carriers subsidize phones over 2 year contracts, a lot of people prefer to go that route and get new subsidized devices. That doesn't mean that people who spend their hard earned money on a device should be obligated to buy a new one to remain current. Outside of the Nexus world I realize this gets incrementally complex with the introduction of the Manufacturers and then the carriers but that's the whole point and allure of buying a Nexus to begin with.
As noted you will see updates continue with this phone for a long time to come via custom roms which will be proof enough to show this phone is more than capable of running the latest and greatest.
I'm disappointed that Google has decided to follow what appears to be a carrier life cycle for supporting their devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not worried for the sole fact that the Nexus 5 community has done amazing things, this may become a good thing to entice further development knowing that there would be no more reasons to stay with the stock ROM. Knowing the Nexus 5 sales, it would be dumb for Google to not provide Android N for one of the most future proof devices I know of.

Don't care. Custom roms will do me just fine.

I thought Google were really supporting the Nexus line for 5 years, with 2 additional years for just security updates. I think they didn't care about users complaining for new versions.

eternal70 said:
I thought Google were really supporting the Nexus line for 5 years, with 2 additional years for just security updates. I think they didn't care about users complaining for new versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 years? IT would be awesome, if it would be 2 years would be awesome too. With custom roms i dont care about official updates. Nexus 5 is almost 3 years.