Google delays Android 3.1 until August. Halts Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 shipments till then

Bad news for Android fans waiting to get the latest Honeycomb tablet running 3.1 version of OS. Android 3.1 has problems and Google decided to delay it’s launch until August “for most countries”.

And it gets worse. The tablets that were supposed to ship with Android 3.1 – Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 – have been delayed until then too.

For now it’s still a rumor. But it comes from a pretty reliable source – Mobile-Review.com’s Eldar Murtazin – who usually gets things right, especially this close to the device launch. So I’m pretty sure we won’t be seeing Android 3.1 tablets here in Europe until August.

Poor Samsung. With Galaxy line they have been a key part of the Android success story from the second half of 2010. They made the first “official” Android tablet, they even partnered with big G to make the second official Google Phone – Nexus S, they gave 5000 Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets away at Google I/O event. They have jumped through every hoop Google asked them to and shipped more Android devices then anyone else. Heck – they are kicking iPhone’s arse with Android flagship in some major markets.

And then they get screwed by Google on a major product launch in big way. For the second time in less then a year!

Google first screwed Samsung with the launch Galaxy S smartphone last June. At the time the search giant was very worried that it’s major Android partners were replacing Google’s location technology with the solution provided by a small location service provider called Skyhook. Google first learned about it in April, when Motorola decided to ship it’s next Droid with Skyhook solution. Google then refused to certify Motorola’s Droid 2 as Android compatible device until Motorola removed Skyhook’s location technology. Motorola complied, delaying it’s Droid 2 launch and then shipping it with Google’s location solution which they perceived to be inferior to Skyhook’s. Only to learn that Google allowed Samsung to start shipping it’s Galaxy S handset with the same Skyhook technology that Google now said is not Android compatible.

When Motorola complained, Google ordered Samsung to halt all the shipments of Galaxy S with Skyhook’s tech. Even with tens of thousand’s of Galaxies already sold or on the way to carrier customers. And Samsung had no other choice but to comply, stop all Galaxy S shipments and hastily replace Skyhook with Google’s location provider. Remember all the GPS/location problems Galaxy S had last summer? Yep – most likely it was about that.

Here we go again. With the pre-order options and promised mid-June shipping dates popping up around the world, I’d say thousands of Samsung Galaxy Tabs are en route to the carriers and distributors. And now they will have to sit in the warehouses for a couple of months, until Google fixes whatever last minute bug they found in Android 3.1.

In the meantime, potential customers will keep snapping HTC Flyers, Motorola Xooms and Asus transformers with even buggier Android 3.0 OS.

I don’t think Samsung is happy today.

Source: satska - Unwiredview.com

Link: http://www.unwiredview.com/2011/06/03/google-delays-android-3-1-untill-august-halts-samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-and-8-9-shipments-till-then/

Google IO: New Nexus Device on the Way!

In the Q&A Session of Google IO, Andy Rubin has confirmed the release of another addition to the Nexus line of devices. No specifics have been given as yet, but there was somespeculation a few weeks ago that a Nexus tablet could be in the works. The anticipated launch, it’s said, is likely to be Q4 of this year, which is also the expected release for Ice Cream Sandwich, the newest version of Android. Ice Cream Sandwich will combine elements of Honeycomb and Gingerbread to create a singular OS for all future Androiddevices.

Rubin did not say whether the device would be a phone or tablet, but it’s good to know the line isn’t dead. Given information that quad core NVIDIA chips are supposed to find their way into devices before the end of the year, though, speculation has arisen that this device could be of that ilk. As Google does like to lead the way on these things, it would not at all be surprising to see a Nexus device being the first to run the Kal-el chip we saw back at MWC. Of course, this could just be another dual core phone, which would not make us unhappy either. And a new dual core phone running Ice Cream Sandwich? That sounds like a bowl full of yummy to me!

Source: James Cushing - www.thegadgets.net

Link: http://thegadgets.net/2011/05/11/google-io-new-nexus-device-on-the-way/

Google Confirms New Nexus Device Is Coming

Google’s Andy Rubin has confirmed that a new Nexus device will be announced at some point in the future with speculation pointing toward a launch alongside the freshly announced Android 3.4 Ice Cream Sandwich which will be the first version of Android that combines elements of the smartphone OS with Google’s tablet OS.

Rubin didn’t explicitly say whether or not the device would be a phone or a tablet (remember, we heard about an LG branded Nexus tablet a little awhile back) but it’s reassuring to know that Google is planning yet another device with the Nexus branding.

While he didn’t offer any specifics, Android and Me is speculating that it could be a LG-made phone that will be powered by a Tegra 3 Kal-El processor. We know that Tegra 3 powered phones are on the way, possibly as soon as this year, so there is a distinct possibility that a Nexus 3 could be one of the first phones with NVIDIA’s new processor.

Of course, there’s also a possibility that it could be a dual-core Nexus handset which would also be a very attractive option for those that love Android.

So, a new, powerful Nexus device that will likely debut in Q4 with Android 3.4 Ice Cream Sandwich and a powerful processor. Who’s holding out for it?

Source: Adam Mills - www.gottabemobile.com

Link: http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/05/10/google-confirms-new-nexus-device-is-coming/

Nexus T Toshiba Tablet Next Official Google Release?

Let’s talk about this situation and see if we can’t piece together a few factoids. First, waaay back at the beginning of this year, a mystery tablet started showing up – one made by Toshiba, having a 10.1-inch screen, and sporting what would become Android 3.0 Honeycomb (testers floating around had Froyo, of course.) Have a look at our big reveal post and continue on – does that look like a tablet that Google would officially endorse as the next step in their flagship series? That very much appears to be what may be happening now!

Our good pals at Metalev have a few clues gathered up that point directly at this device being the next in the Nexus series – Nexus T they’re calling it, and with its NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, prismatic lithium-ion battery, and 1280 x 800 resolution 16:10 aspect ratio adaptive display, its definitely not out of the question.

What’s a prismatic battery? It’s a big fat battery that has 3 times the life of a standard lithium ion batter in essentially the same package. Besides sounding fantastic, why is this relevant now? Because @googlenexus has a challenge going on with their Twitter followers and the answer to the puzzle on the 2nd of May was PRISMATIC. – this puzzle put together by metalev’s Luke Hutchinson

@googlenexus’ challenge ends right before Google I/O – perhaps some free tablets are in the works for the masses of developers attending?

This tablet has been up for preview at Best Buy for some time now, but without a name and without much branding to go with it. Have a look at the video here and see if you think it’s possible that this is the next in line for Google’s infamous pack of powerful bigtime blasters:

Source: CHRIS BURNS - ANDROIDCOMMUNITY.COM

Link: http://androidcommunity.com/nexus-t-toshiba-tablet-next-official-google-release-20110504/

Google Nexus Honeycomb Tablet On Tap from LG

Google may sell a Nexus-branded Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" tablet made by LG this year. No word on whether this is a test device or a go-to-market slate.

Google has reportedly tapped phone maker LG to build an Android 3.0 "Honeycomb" for the search engine's Nexus brand, which has been accorded to two smartphone lines to date.

Citing a report from Russian blog Mobile Review, Boy Genius Report said the Nexus tablet would be used as Google's base for development when it's launched in mid-summer or early fall.

"It is important to keep in mind that this device could be an engineering prototype used by Google internally for Android tablet development," BGR noted.

Google declined to comment to eWEEK, though most industry watchers believe a Honeycomb tablet designed by Google will hold true to the Nexus formula in including only Google-approved software. Nexus-branded smartphones such as the HTC-built Nexus One and Samsung Nexus S were co-designed sans carrier between Google and their respective makers.

Knowing that the alleged Nexus tablet would run Honeycomb explains a lot about the product since that tablet-optimized defines the entire Android slate ecosystem at this point. Honeycomb slates include Motorola Mobility's Xoom, the forthcomingSamsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 slates, and of course the LG G-Slate.

Less clear is whether the device is WiFi only or, WiFi plus 3G enabled, and if it is the latter, what carriers will sell the Honeycomb tablet. Moreover, it's unclear what the pricing will be if the machine evolves from prototype to market.

The WiFi-only Xoom costs $599, the same as the 4G version Verizon Wireless sells with a two-year data contract. The LG G-slate will cost $529 with a two-year deal from T-Mobile. Samsung will sell its tablets for less than $500 this June.

If Google's Nexus smartphone pricing scheme applies to the tablet, the company will sell it unlocked for the cost of the device, or with a reasonably priced carrier deal.

Google launched the Nexus One smartphone in January 2010, selling the Android 2.1 handset unlocked for $529 or with a two-year contract from T-Mobile for $179.

The device, sold only through a Google owned and operated Webstore, carried only software vetted by Google itself. With the Nexus One, Google had taken the carriers our of the equation so that Gmail, Google Talk, Google Maps, search and YouTube were included without the usual assortment of carrier applications, also known as bloatware.

The Nexus One didn't take off the way Google hoped, as consumers shied away from buying a phone sight unseen. Google shuttered its Webstore and began offering the Nexus One as a test unit.

Rather than punt the Nexus line, Google returned last December with the Samsung Nexus S, a smartphone based on the new Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" OS featuring native near field communications support. This device is currently offeredunlocked for $529 or for $199 with a two-year T-Mobile deal.

Sprint is launching a Samsung Nexus S 4G this spring, providing the third smartphone in the Nexus line.

Source: http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Desktops-and-Notebooks/Google-Nexus-Honeycomb-Tablet-On-Tap-from-LG-752512/

LG set to manufacture Google Nexus Tablet

LG will apparently manufacture Google’s Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet

This will bring Google’s dealing to three manufacturers now. HTC built its first Nexus One handset, Samsung did the Nexus S and now LG will take on building responsibilities for the Nexus Tablet.LG has been reportedly confirmed as the company that will produce Google’s first ever tablet device – the Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet.

The news comes via Mobile Review, who claims LG has been tasked with producing Google’s first Android 3.0-powered Nexus Tablet.

At present, details are pretty thin on the ground, but Mobile Review claims that the device will be used as Google’s base for development, that it will run on Android 3.0 and should be ready in ‘mid-autumn.’

Having said that, the Nexus Tablet could just be a device that will be used internally at Google for developing future iterations of Android 3.0.

Nevertheless, the Nexus S has gone on to become pretty popular, so maybe a dedicated Google tablet isn’t entirely out of the question.

So what can we expect from the Nexus Tablet? At present it’s difficult to say, but if we had to hazard a guess we’d expect to see a dual core processor, NFC, HD display (probably Super AMOLED), potentially a 3D-enabled, lots of storage, dual cameras and 1GB of RAM.

This, at least, would bring the tablet in line with the competition.

We’re waiting with baited breath for more news on this one. Watch this space.

Source: http://www.knowyourmobile.com/blog/829826/lg_set_to_manufacture_google_nexus_tablet.html

Google Signs with LG

Manufacturers who want to make tablets for the Android Honeycomb are required to sign a separate license agreement with Google. Rumors have it that Google will be embracing LG, and this could lead to a Nexus S tablet.

Manufacturers of tablets running on Android 2.X can’t update the OS to Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Until now Google hasn’t released the source code of the Honeycomb even when there are already Honeycomb tablets in the market, such as the Xoom and the soon to be released HTC Flyer.

If ever LG will release a Nexus tablet in the future, it would be the basis of all other Android tablets. Manufacturers would want to copy the hardware, which was designed to optimize the Honeycomb OS. It is Google’s practice to offer software help with their partner manufacturer and the result could be a LG Nexus tablet that runs smoothly on the Honeycomb.

Google embraces manufacturers so that the final product will be polished and well-made. It would also serve as a training session for the company’s internal staff. Google could use the device to develop new or improve current features of the Android. The manufacturer in turn will gain a huge advantage over its competitors.

Link: http://www.toptechreviews.net/tech-news/google-signs-with-lg/