Latest rumors: Name change, plan changes, release before Xmas

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Thank you for tuning in to This Week in Galaxy Nexus Rumors, brought to you by Tylenol and Pepto-Bismol. Here's the latest, coming from a long time member of Android Central, who has been right before and wishes to remain anonymous.

1. The name will be the Nexus Prime.
2. The phone was to be released before Thanksgiving, but software issues are holding it back. Verizon exec's want the phone released before Christmas, even if that means bugs aren't fixed and a patch will need sent.
3. Coming in March, unlimited data will be no longer grandfathered to those that upgrade their contract or make any plan changes.

My take on these:
Number one sounds absolutely insane. Accessories are already made, and the packaging for them says Galaxy Nexus. But. Verizon would like to differentiate their product, and since it's technically different from the other versions, this would make a lot of sense. It would make our job much easier with two different names for two different phones.

Number two matches up with what we've been hearing. ICS isn't playing nicely with MyVerizon.apk. Specifically, I've heard there are authentication issues and folks wouldn't have access to Verizon areas of the Android Market, including VCast. This means software people paid for won't be available, and that's not making anyone happy.

Number three -- we knew it was coming eventually. Start saving your pennies so you can buy phones outright and not extend your contract. It's worth it to keep unlimited data on a device that gets 40M/sec downloads.

Discuss, and try not to kill each other

 

[_JKK_]

Well, it's good to have some info, even if it isn't from VZW.

How trustable/reliable is this guy? (not wanting to seem rude; just curious )

Edit: No access to Verizon areas of the Market? That could be marketed as a feature! Whatever will we do?

 

[Phil Nickinson]

Re Point 1: And remember that Verizon itself announced the Galaxy Nexus. Not the Nexus Prime. (But stranger things have happened.)

Verizon Wireless Introduces The Galaxy Nexus By Samsung

 

[Premium1]

Good thing I buy phones out of contract so I won't have to worry about them taking away my data, although I think them doing that so soon they will see many customers opt away from smart phones or switch to another carrier. Guess we will see come march.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

Well, it's good to have some info, even if it isn't from VZW.

How trustable/reliable is this guy? (not wanting to seem rude; just curious )

Edit: No access to Verizon areas of the Market? That could be marketed as a feature! Whatever will we do?

I trust him, that's why I'm passing it along.

 

[NewAge]

1) Don't care what its named

2) Released before christmas doesn't help much.

3) If this happens Nexus may be my last Smartphone with Verizon after 16 years with them.

 

[sc4fpse]

1. Coming in March, unlimited data will be no longer grandfathered to those that upgrade their contract or make any plan changes.

 

[_JKK_]

I trust him, that's why I'm passing it along.

Fair enough; if it's reliable to pass the Beard Test?, then it's good enough for me!

 

[jbomb11]

If they do this in march i am gone.

PERIOD!

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[joeyandrade123]

My take on these:
Number one sounds absolutely insane. Accessories are already made, and the packaging for them says Galaxy Nexus. But. Verizon would like to differentiate their product, and since it's technically different from the other versions, this would make a lot of sense. It would make our job much easier with two different names for two different phones.

How are they two different phones?

 

[_JKK_]

My take on these:
Number one sounds absolutely insane. Accessories are already made, and the packaging for them says Galaxy Nexus. But. Verizon would like to differentiate their product, and since it's technically different from the other versions, this would make a lot of sense. It would make our job much easier with two different names for two different phones.

How are they two different phones?

I imagine the VZW is totally reworked in terms of antenna and innards, given that it has a CDMA radio, plus an LTE radio in contrast with the HSPA/GSM radios of the one that is shipping in Europe. So they really are two totally different devices; they are similar in name and tech specs only, but in terms of radio and wireless they are very different.

 

[JediJesus95]

All this does is re-inforce the fact that Verizon really has no idea what its doing.

 

[Premium1]

I think it would be a stupid move to eliminate grandfathering customers in when they still do not have full lte coverage and at&t and sprint will be rolling out their lte with at&t probably already expanding by then. Verizon wouldn't really have an advantage over the others and would give me a great reason to switch carriers.

 

[vicw926a4]

I've been waiting for the shoe to eventually drop on the unlimited data plan grandfathering. I'm eligible for a new phone in Mid-March, and I really fear that VZN will make the policy switch just prior, so I'm at risk of losing unlimited if I pick up the GN.

I hate to show my ignorance on this subject, but I'm confused as to your suggestion of an outright purchase in order to maintain the unlimited data plan. Could an outright purchased GN just replace my existing DX on my original plan, and allow that plan to continue undisturbed?

 

[joeyandrade123]

I imagine the VZW is totally reworked in terms of antenna and innards, given that it has a CDMA radio, plus an LTE radio in contrast with the HSPA/GSM radios of the one that is shipping in Europe. So they really are two totally different devices; they are similar in name and tech specs only, but in terms of radio and wireless they are very different.

I get that but I don't see how having two different names can make their jobs easier. He could just say VZW Galaxy Nexus or International Galaxy Nexus to differentiate them.

 

[Premium1]

I've been waiting for the shoe to eventually drop on the unlimited data plan grandfathering. I'm eligible for a new phone in Mid-March, and I really fear that VZN will make the policy switch just prior, so I'm at risk of losing unlimited if I pick up the GN.

I hate to show my ignorance on this subject, but I'm confused as to your suggestion of an outright purchase in order to maintain the unlimited data plan. Could an outright purchased GN just replace my existing DX on my original plan, and allow that plan to continue undisturbed?

Yes purchasing outright does not change your contract so you will continue to have what is on the current contract.

 

[jerrod6]

So WHY is your screen name in RED? Someone inform me about this.

No one on any carrier is going to end up with unlimited data because it doesn't make business sense , so I don't care about what happens next year(s).

I don't care if the phone comes out on December 25 or December 31, I have made my decision based on the information as of November 27, 10:23 pm EST.

 

[Droid800]

I've been waiting for the shoe to eventually drop on the unlimited data plan grandfathering. I'm eligible for a new phone in Mid-March, and I really fear that VZN will make the policy switch just prior, so I'm at risk of losing unlimited if I pick up the GN.

I hate to show my ignorance on this subject, but I'm confused as to your suggestion of an outright purchase in order to maintain the unlimited data plan. Could an outright purchased GN just replace my existing DX on my original plan, and allow that plan to continue undisturbed?

Sort of. As long as you don't change any part of you plan (minutes, messaging, etc.) you'll be fine.

I don't see them doing it though. I could see them saying that they'll start throttling over a certain amount for grandfathered users, but I don't see them just saying 'no more'. If they do, they're going to have to rethink their plans because the caps are far too low right now for 4G.

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

I get that but I don't see how having two different names can make their jobs easier. He could just say VZW Galaxy Nexus or International Galaxy Nexus to differentiate them.

Because people will still flash files intended for one phone to the wrong phone. Just like the Nexus S/Nexus S 4G or the Galaxy S II versions. Having different hardware with the same name breaks phones.

So WHY is your screen name in RED? Someone inform me about this.

No one on any carrier is going to end up with unlimited data because it doesn't make business sense , so I don't care about what happens next year(s).

I don't care if the phone comes out on December 25 or December 31, I have made my decision based on the information as of November 27, 10:23 pm EST.

My name's red cause I'm the Cowboy lol.
And cause I'm one of the forum Admins.

 

[Droid800]

So WHY is your screen name in RED? Someone inform me about this.

No one on any carrier is going to end up with unlimited data because it doesn't make business sense , so I don't care about what happens next year(s).

I don't care if the phone comes out on December 25 or December 31, I have made my decision based on the information as of November 27, 10:23 pm EST.

You will when you get that first bill for a 4G phone and you have $50 in overages for data charges.