If the hardware is just so-so, why all the exitement?

[Phadunkin]

my current phone is total trash.. idk how long i can use it any longer..

my upgrade is in March [end of]

debating whether to buy a phone straight up now.. or just wait it out for a Nexus at 299$ [im assuming] or maybe a better phone in 3 months time..

the decisions.

 

[Mapex]

Clearly you didn't read that Verizon includes bloatware on the Verizon Nexus and that Google Wallet isn't included.

Because Verizon added some service-specific apps doesn't mean Google is not going to do OS updates.

And watch Google Wallet become made available officially sometime early next year. If Verizon were actually blocking Wallet the way they try penalizing tethering, they would charge you fees or freeze your account for using Wallet sideloaded. They believe there is a security issue with how Wallet functions, which could be BS or could be legit, but we won't know unless we actually reverse engineer Wallet and see exactly how it works.

Also, apparently Google Wallet as an app is pretty terrible: https://market.android.com/details?...nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5hcHBzLndhbGxldG5mY3JlbCJd

Let's wait for more NFC-enabled swipe stations to pop up throughout the country before we complain about a service we may or may not want or be able to use.

my current phone is total trash.. idk how long i can use it any longer..

my upgrade is in March [end of]

debating whether to buy a phone straight up now.. or just wait it out for a Nexus at 299$ [im assuming] or maybe a better phone in 3 months time..

the decisions.

I feel you should go with the Nexus to ensure your software is tip top stock Android without battery devouring Sense, decent but still bloated Blur, and pointless TouchWiz UI skins. You'll be very happy with it.

And regarding your update date, you can try calling Verizon to see if they will push up your upgrade. I think they would be willing to move you off your current device if it means locking you into a two year contract with a proper smartphone.

 

[ragnarokx]

Because Verizon added some service-specific apps doesn't mean Google is not going to do OS updates.

And watch Google Wallet become made available officially sometime early next year. If Verizon were actually blocking Wallet the way they try penalizing tethering, they would charge you fees or freeze your account for using Wallet sideloaded. They believe there is a security issue with how Wallet functions, which could be BS or could be legit, but we won't know unless we actually reverse engineer Wallet and see exactly how it works.

Also, apparently Google Wallet as an app is pretty terrible: https://market.android.com/details?...nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5hcHBzLndhbGxldG5mY3JlbCJd

Let's wait for more NFC-enabled swipe stations to pop up throughout the country before we complain about a service we may or may not want or be able to use.

If you look at all the 1 star reviews for Google Wallet, they are all about a battery drain bug that was introduced in a recent update, or about how they can't figure out how to uninstall the app.

During the time I used it, Google Wallet functioned exactly as it was supposed to. Easy to add a card, NFC was recognized quickly at checkout, and a very nice graphical interface. Nothing bad to say about it really.

 

[revickulous2001]

Because Verizon added some service-specific apps doesn't mean Google is not going to do OS updates.

And watch Google Wallet become made available officially sometime early next year. If Verizon were actually blocking Wallet the way they try penalizing tethering, they would charge you fees or freeze your account for using Wallet sideloaded. They believe there is a security issue with how Wallet functions, which could be BS or could be legit, but we won't know unless we actually reverse engineer Wallet and see exactly how it works.

Also, apparently Google Wallet as an app is pretty terrible: https://market.android.com/details?...nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5hcHBzLndhbGxldG5mY3JlbCJd

Let's wait for more NFC-enabled swipe stations to pop up throughout the country before we complain about a service we may or may not want or be able to use.

All very good points. And I truly hope this turns out to be "much ado about nothing." But I know that I don't trust Verizon. I also know there are two reasons I stick with Verizon. 1) They have the best network. 2) The company I work for (which pays my cell phone bill) uses Verizon.

Therefore I know I can't leave Verizon unless I decide that we (as a company) are better off with another carrier. Until Sprint, which is the most techy-friendly company can match Verizon's network, I can't do that.

Hopefully you are right and Verizon will, at the very least, adopt Google Wallet later. But the mere fact that Verizon included bloatware on a Nexus concerns me. The fact that Google Wallet was removed from the Nexus at Verizon's behest concerns me even more. So the prospect that Verizon may want some say in Google's update process isn't a shock to me.

I really hope that Google will handle all updates for the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon's network. I will be purchasing this phone either way. But I wont be surprised if Verizon handles the updates given the fact that Google has bent over to Verizon's every whim with this release. And I STRONGLY recommend that all of you do the same. If not, you may be VERY disappointed.

 

[revickulous2001]

If you look at all the 1 star reviews for Google Wallet, they are all about a battery drain bug that was introduced in a recent update, or about how they can't figure out how to uninstall the app.

During the time I used it, Google Wallet functioned exactly as it was supposed to. Easy to add a card, NFC was recognized quickly at checkout, and a very nice graphical interface. Nothing bad to say about it really.

Good information.

 

[Phadunkin]

I feel you should go with the Nexus to ensure your software is tip top stock Android without battery devouring Sense, decent but still bloated Blur, and pointless TouchWiz UI skins. You'll be very happy with it.

And regarding your update date, you can try calling Verizon to see if they will push up your upgrade. I think they would be willing to move you off your current device if it means locking you into a two year contract with a proper smartphone.

thanks for the reply, i'll try to work with the Christmas Spirit.

 

[sushiglobster]

I haven't been following development on XDA for the GN. Have they been able to overclock the GPU yet? Since hardware acceleration took such a big jump from GB to ICS, the GPU plays a more important roll than it used to in performance. I find that overclocking my GPU gives better gains in ICS than overclocking my CPU.

From what I have read, there has yet to be any OCing with the GPU. I can completely side with you though on the fact that OCing the GPU may yield for a better performance increase...both visually and in feel of the phone. I think this same idea can be taken from desktop overclocking. With my GPUs overclocked my FPS in gaming show major increases and downclocking my CPU shows little change in performance. Basically I can run my CPU at lower speeds while keeping my GPUs at higher clocks and I'll still get better performance than vice-versa.

EDIT: Also some of the ROMs coming out for the GN are quite impressive. This ROM here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1361348 Turns off all CPU software rendering and offloads it to the GPU. This allows for an major increase in smoothness throughout the GUI. Anyways....all I'm saying is that if the GPU and CPU provide problems with overclocking, then at least these custom ROMs coming out will still allow for an increase in performance.

 

[ragnarokx]

From what I have read, there has yet to be any OCing with the GPU. I can completely side with you though on the fact that OCing the GPU may yield for a better performance increase...both visually and in feel of the phone. I think this same idea can be taken from desktop overclocking. With my GPUs overclocked my FPS in gaming show major increases and downclocking my CPU shows little change in performance. Basically I can run my CPU at lower speeds while keeping my GPUs at higher clocks and I'll still get better performance than vice-versa.

That's exactly what I do with my Nexus - underclock CPU from 1000MHz to 880MHz (save battery) and overclock GPU from 200MHz to 220MHz. Works quite nicely - I'm sure the Galaxy Nexus will see something like this soon.

 

[anon(512898)]

I understand the logic that there is a trend going with Nexus devices in the past. My problem with this is the fact that Verizon's version of this nexus shows that there are two bloatware apps preloaded on it. While that's not a huge deal, it is proof that this is the FIRST ever nexus to break the trend. So why would anybody be surprised about other trend-breaking tidbits?

Furthermore, some sources have already reported that non-Verizon branded Galaxy Nexus devices have gotten their updates from Samsung instead of Google so far. If these reports are accurate, why would ANYBODY believe that Verizon of all carriers would choose Google to release updates?

But if anybody has heard any reports from reputable resources (not talking about these forums) that Google is solely responsible for the updates to the Verizon Nexus, I would love to read that report.

Because a nexus is first and foremost a developer phone, verizon adding two consumer-centric apps does not impact that, however not being on the latest os version would limit the nexus's utility as a developer phone. The update that samsung pushed to the phone had to do with hardware drivers, who better to do this then then the hardware manufacturer

 

[revickulous2001]

Because a nexus is first and foremost a developer phone, verizon adding two consumer-centric apps does not impact that, however not being on the latest os version would limit the nexus's utility as a developer phone. The update that samsung pushed to the phone had to do with hardware drivers, who better to do this then then the hardware manufacturer

lol lame argument. (and horribly inaccurate). Try again please.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

To the OP:

1. It's a Nexus, plain and simple. Updates straight from Google.

5. When you consider the fact that it is a Nexus, that means that you will be the first to receive an update to the next iteration of Android (whatever that may be) this time next year.

This has been discussed ad nausium in other threads but this basically sums it up. The rest of the original post is overly optimistic.

I stated mu own opinions on the matter here http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...-me-why-nexus-better-again-3.html#post1464419 and here http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...-me-why-nexus-better-again-6.html#post1466094

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Also I do feel it important to note (in fairness to the OP's argument) that current reports show that Google may not be updating this device. I've seen in a couple locations that Samsung is passing on the updates for most versions of the Nexus.

Assuming these reports are accurate (I'm holding out hope they aren't), there's a a good chance that Samsung or even Verizon would be responsible for the updates on the Nexus. After all, if Google is willing to let a manufacturer handle the updates, who's to say they wouldn't let a carrier?

Has anybody heard any debunks to these reports yet? Or is this still a concern?

They come from Google but Samsung and Verizon will do SOME testing first. That's how the Nexus S is and how the Xoom is. You want that to happen so that they can find any serious bugs Google missed and the delay would be a few days or a week at most unless there were issues.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Clearly you didn't read that Verizon includes bloatware on the Verizon Nexus and that Google Wallet isn't included.

1. They aren't bloatware and they are something every phone on Verizon has to have now. Even iPhone has them they just aren't preinstalled
2. The GSM Galaxy Nexus doesn't have Google Wallet either. It's a licensing thing between Google and the carrier and thus far Spring Nexus S is the only device to license it.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

lol lame argument. (and horribly inaccurate). Try again please.

Actually he's dead on. You're the one who does not know what he is talking about.

 

[rew001]

1) Ice Cream Sandwich will not run as well on non-Nexus phones (ICS was designed around the Galaxy Nexus)

2) First to get updates (security fixes, new features)

3) Best developer support around

Hi Nail, this is Hammer.

 

[dapercy]

Add not having a Gui designed on top of android (blur, sense, etc) the hardware has simplified s/w to deal with. All things equal this means fewer lock ups and reboots and better performance as the hardware runs fewer lines of codes in the background without blur, sense or the other junk GUI's out there. With software the KISS principle is paramount. The more extraneous junk you add the more opportunity you have for buggy performance.

 

[Poopai]

About overclocks....

There is an on-going thread over at the XDA forums about overclocking on the Galaxy Nexus. So far, 1.4Ghz has been achieved, however there are problems. Some people experience major slow downs and stuttering at 1.4Ghz. 1.6Ghz has also been achieved but it is far from stable. XDA members are finding that there may some very huge limitations with the hardware that will actually not allow for major overclocks.

It is unfortunate, however the good news is that the undervolting has been a great success so far. XDA members have found that the stock voltages are set extremely high. They've been able to bring the stock voltages down quite a bit, almost drastically. What does this mean? It means longer battery life. A significant increase in battery life should be achieved with lower voltage.

I'm sure in time they will be able to achieve a more stable overclock, however early attempts so far have been quite the challenge.

Wow. now I can't even rationalize it as a 1.5 ghz phone that just needs to be set where it should be. It just seems to get worse and worse.

 

[ManBearPig618]

Wow. now I can't even rationalize it as a 1.5 ghz phone that just needs to be set where it should be. It just seems to get worse and worse.

I really don't think you should get the Galaxy Nexus...it doesn't seem like the right phone for you.

 

[Maikai.Guy]

I've been waiting for this phone for almost too long. I find myself vacillating between wanting to buy it as soon as it's available and waiting to see what is announced during CES in January... and maybe even waiting for World Mobile Congress in February.

The delay in releasing this phone risks making it yesterday's phone before it is released... or very soon thereafter. I'm sure we will see ICS specific designs with superior hardware announced in January. When they will actually be available is the question.

Getting updates first only goes so far.

 

[CynicX]

Wow. now I can't even rationalize it as a 1.5 ghz phone that just needs to be set where it should be. It just seems to get worse and worse.

Heat is always an issue with no means of cooling. Even if its a 1.5 ghz chip it will be limited by its ventalation. It could be crammed in the phone in such a way overclocking is impossible where in another phone the same chip could be overclocked to 1.5+ ghz.

I'm glad to hear that they undervolt well, that is my main concern. On my Xoom I found over clocking to only be beneficial to PlayStation emulators. Since I won't be doing much of that on the GN I'm not too concerned. However the benefits of under volting will be great.