Samsung Galaxy Nexus May Receive Android 4.1 Update First

Android 4.1 Update

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The Samsung Galaxy Nexus of Verizon and Sprint will be the first devices to receive the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 update.

Google announced that the Android 4.1 update will be rolled out to the HSPA+ models of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, which is being sold through the online store of the company. In addition to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, a number of other devices may also receive the latest variant of the Android OS.

Among the devices that the Google specifically indicated that will receive the Android 4.1 update were the Motorola Xoom Tablet and the Nexus S. The Google Nexus 7 tablet will feature the Jelly Bean Android 4.1 out of the box.

Google had indicated that all Galaxy Nexus units will receive the Android 4.1 update, which would include the variants offered by Verizon and Sprint. This is welcome news for owners of the devices as some may have thought that their devices will be receiving the update at a much later date since the first update was only released after a number of months ince it became available in the market.

The Android 4.1 update was initially unveiled during the I/O event of Google last month and it will reportedly offer some enhancements to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus units being offered by Verizon and Sprint. A number of new features will be offered by the Android 4.1 update including a predictive keyboard that facilitates typing, new widgets, and offline Voice Typing.

In addition to these features, the Android 4.1 update will also bring the Google Now tool, faster user interface, an enhanced Voice Search and redesigned notifications.

US Sales of Samsung Galaxy Nexus Stopped

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

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The resolution of a patent lawsuit between Apple and Samsung has resulted to the barring of the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the US market.

Judge Lucy Koh recently ruled that Apple was able to clearly show that the company will experience irreparable damage unless an injunction was issued on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. This is the second time in the same week that an Android-powered device manufactured by Samsung was barred from sale in the United States.

The latest injunction on the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus along with the first one issued in the week is not a good sign for the South Korean company since preliminary injunctions are not easily issued by American judges in cases such as this. It should also be noted that Samsung is a major supplier of the parts of products made by Apple.

Judges take into consideration irreparable harm to a company before an injunction is issued against the sale of devices. The issuance also increases the possibility of a victory in a trail for the company which sought the injunction. Koh also indicated that Apple was able to demonstrate that it may prevail in a trial against Samsung through its injunction request on the sale of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

A bond of $96 million was posted by Apple for the injunction against the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. The amount is the estimated loss for Samsung for the duration of the injunction and will be awarded to the company if the South Korean company will prevail in the trial. The patent claims filed by Apple against the Samsung Galaxy Nexus are connected to data tapping, slide to unlock function, word completion on a touchscreen, and Siri with a unified search.

However the lawsuit will not stop with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus since Apple appears to be aiming for the latest smartphone offering of the South Korean company, the Samsung Galaxy S3. Four of the major wireless service providers in the US are set to offer the device, whose international sales Samsung has projected to reach around ten million units by the end of the month.

The lawsuit filed against the Samsung Galaxy Nexus by Apple restrained much of the excitement of the release of the Google Nexus 7 tablet. Google reportedly indicated that the issue with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus spoiled the introduction of the latest tablet and Android offering of the company. However the company also revealed that it believes that once the proof is shown, it will result an appropriate ruling from the court.

The South Korean company is expected to appeal the injunction filed against the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the same way it appealed the injunction against the SamsungGalaxy Tab.

More Smartphones To Receive Android 4.0 Upgrade

Android 4.0 Upgrade

Verizon recently made the Android 4.0 upgrade available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

Even as the Android 4.0 upgrade will be released soon as indicated on the website of the mobile service provider, it appears that some users have already received the update already.  The Samsung Galaxy Nexus became available in the market with the Ice Cream Sandwich Android but the recently released Android 4.0 upgrade will give the device the latest Android OS.

The latest Android 4.0 upgrade will reportedly provide the Samsung Galaxy Nexus a number of enhancements according to Verizon. Additional information on the upgrade is available through the update page of Verizon along with how the devices can be updated by their respective users.

In addition to the Android 4.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the LG Optimus VU and the Optimus LTE Tag will also start to receive the latest version of the Android OS by June 4.  These are just some of the LG smartphones to receive the latest Android OS.

Reports have also given indications that the upgrade will also come with the latest Optimus 3.0 user interface of LG. That is if the translation from Google is accurate. More features will also be added into the LG Optimus Vu in addition to the Android 4.0 upgrade.

April 26 Release Date for $199 Samsung Galaxy Nexus at Verizon

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

(Image Credit: cnet.com)

It appears that Verizon will be offering a cheaper version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus by April, if latest reports are to be believed. The original 32GB version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus has a price tag of around $299, which comes with a two-year service contract.

However users will soon have the option to acquire a device that features a smaller internal memory of 16GB but the price tag will be reduced by $100. The 16GB Samsung Galaxy Nexus will reportedly be offered through Verizon at a price tag of $199 by April 26.

Despite its reduced price tag and smaller internal memory, this version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will still come with the same features as the previous models of the device. These features include the AMOLED display screen, dual-core processor, and support for the 4G LTE network of Verizon.

The 16GB version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will also come with the Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 OS.

However despite these features, the smaller internal memory will likely be the Achilles heel of this version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus as the memory cannot be expanded since it does not feature a microSD memory card slot.

Users who will opt to purchase this cheaper version of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus will likely feel the difference when they will attempt to load it up with high quality videos or numerous audio tracks.