Gadgets Google Announces "Pure" Galaxy Nexus S4 for $649, Android Updates
Brandon Hill (Blog) - May 15, 2013 1:42 PM

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Google focuses its attention on Android
At today's Google I/O conference, the tech giant announced a number of cool new features for its market-dominating Android Operating System along with a special version of the recently introduced Samsung Galaxy S4.
Google will sell a fully unlocked version of the Galaxy S4 (complete with unlocked bootloader) and a completely stock version of Android. Being that this is a fully sanctioned Google device, you can expect prompt updates, something that isn't always the case when you have to deal directly with the device manufacturer.
Google's version of the Galaxy S4 will be available from the Play Store beginning June 26 at a price of $649. The device will come with 16GB of storage and will operate on either AT&T or T-Mobile's wireless LTE networks.
Moving on to Android, Android chief Sundar Pichai announced that the mobile operating system is on track to hit 900 million device activations for 2013. This compares to 100 million activations in 2011, and 400 activations in 2012. In addition, Picahai revealed that over 48 billion apps have been installed to date on Android devices (2.5 billion of which came within the last month).
Google is looking to go head-to-head against Apple's popular Game Center with its only gaming service: Google Play Game Services. The new Android gaming serve will features cloud game saves, achievements, matchmaking, and of course, leaderboards. Developers will not only be able to implement these features on Android devices, but also on iOS devices as well.
But the big news for developers is no doubt Android Studio (based on IntelliJ). This is a brand new development environment aimed at making developing apps easier for both tablets and smartphones. As developers tweak their code, they can see real-time changes to their apps. The Android Studio will also provide optimization tips, referral tracking, integration with Google's Analytics service, revenue graphs, and the ability to offer beta testing with staged rollouts.
Google also introduced a new subscription music service: Google Play Music All Access. Users can stream music on-demand at a price of $9.99/month. Those that choose to sign up before June 30 can get a slight discount to $7.99/month. If you just want to get your feet wet in the service, there is also a 30-day free trial.

Source: Google

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(7 Hidden)
Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/15/13, Rating: 1
By karimtemple on 5/15/2013 2:04:01 PM , Rating: 1
I cannot tell you how much more I wanted a Nexus 5 than this. UGH!
Nothing like a $300 price premium (vs. Nexus 4) to make you realize how unimportant 1080p is on a phone.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: -1
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 2:07:32 PM , Rating: -1

> quote:
> Nothing like a $300 price premium (vs. Nexus 4) to make you realize how unimportant 1080p is on a phone .

To you....
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RE: Deep disappointment
By EnzoFX on 5/15/13, Rating: 4
By EnzoFX on 5/15/2013 2:22:26 PM , Rating: 4
His point is that it's not $300 important. See how the first part of his sentence matters?
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RE: Deep disappointment
By kingmotley on 5/15/13, Rating: 0
By kingmotley on 5/15/2013 3:38:29 PM , Rating: 0
His point is that it's not $300 important to him . See how that doesn't change anything?
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RE: Deep disappointment
By inighthawki on 5/15/13, Rating: 3
By inighthawki on 5/15/2013 4:06:46 PM , Rating: 3
I see no indication that his post implied otherwise anyway:

> quote:
> I cannot tell you how much more I wanted a Nexus 5 than this. UGH!

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RE: Deep disappointment
By mikeyD95125 on 5/15/13, Rating: 5
By mikeyD95125 on 5/15/2013 5:59:36 PM , Rating: 5
Seriously, do you relativists need him to say "IN MY OPINION..."
Of course it is his opinion, he just said it.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: -1
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 4:52:39 PM , Rating: -1
Sorry, but I disagree, to me it reads that 300 isn't worth the 1080p at all. If had said to him, sure. But he didn't.
And the downrate, LOL to the haters.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: 5
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 4:54:58 PM , Rating: 5
DT, PLEASE put an EDIT option... this is 2013... every site has one.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By geekman1024 on 5/16/13, Rating: 3
By geekman1024 on 5/16/2013 4:23:12 AM , Rating: 3
They believe that "You are what you speak", so no Edit.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By bah12 on 5/16/13, Rating: 5
By bah12 on 5/16/2013 10:41:50 AM , Rating: 5
Holy crap Cheese you got a 5. See DT your readers/posters want an edit button so bad that they'll even up rate Cheese...truly telling.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By mikeyD95125 on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By mikeyD95125 on 5/15/2013 6:01:25 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=bo...
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Goty on 5/15/13, Rating: 5
By Goty on 5/15/2013 2:51:58 PM , Rating: 5

> quote:
> Nothing like a $300 price premium (vs. Nexus 4) to make you realize how unimportant 1080p is on a phone.

And a faster CPU. And a faster GPU. And better battery life. And a user-replaceable battery. And expandable storage. And LTE.
There's probably more that I forgot to list but I think that should make things a little (read: a LOT) easier to swallow.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/15/13, Rating: 1
By karimtemple on 5/15/2013 3:05:54 PM , Rating: 1
*slightly faster
All welcome sacrifices for saving $300 (before the savings on service). We can't all be wealthy.
By sacrificing LTE I've literally cut my phone bill in half. I routinely pull over 6mbps and it's widely sufficient. My phone is from 2011 and I have not replaced the battery. The battery is fine. I admit I have a 64GB microSD, but only because I could. 32GB is a more-than-enough sweet spot for like 99% of people. 16GB probably covers 95%.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Goty on 5/15/13, Rating: 3
By Goty on 5/15/2013 7:52:46 PM , Rating: 3
You forgot the other four or five benefits I listed. Also, you pay more for LTE?
Having a user-replaceable battery is more about not having to worry about whether or not you have access to a charger when you start running low on juice 8 hours into your day, which is a common issue for the kind of people this device is aimed at.
Speaking of the target market for this device, they certainly don't fall into your "95%" or "99%" categories. This is a device for those power users who truly want the best device on the market.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 0
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 12:55:36 AM , Rating: 0
You only made four points and I mentioned them all. I pay $45 a month for what is essentially AT&T minus LTE. Verizon/AT&T is twice that. The coverage area of T-Mobile/Sprint is less than ideal.
Carrying around a battery is not easier than carrying around a USB cable. In fact, it's harder -- batteries don't keep. They're sensitive to heat, they're sensitive to cold, and they're sensitive to time. I have a charger at the office, at home, and in the car (in addition to the car charger). Totalled together they still cost less than just one battery (thanks Monoprice!) and they're more convenient as I don't have to turn my phone off to fix a low charge.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Goty on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Goty on 5/16/2013 2:27:59 AM , Rating: 2
I'd respond to the rest, but I'm having a hard time accepting your apparent inability to count.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 8:18:55 AM , Rating: 2

> quote:
> And a faster CPU. And a faster GPU. 1 And better battery life. 2 And a user-replaceable battery. 3 And expandable storage. 4 And LTE. 5

I responded to all that stuff except #2.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By superflex on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By superflex on 5/16/2013 1:10:40 PM , Rating: 1

> quote:
> This is a device for those power users who truly want the best device on the market.

Then shouldn't they get the HTC One?
I didn't see a Gold Editor's Choice Award for the plastic fantastic S4.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/2013 11:17:23 AM , Rating: 2

> quote:
> 32GB is a more-than-enough sweet spot for like 99% of people. 16GB probably covers 95%

I don't care. I only care about what I want and I need it to accept my 64GB micrSD card.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 11:27:19 AM , Rating: 1
I don't know what to tell you. Someone walks up to me and offers me an SD card slot or $300, I'm taking the $300.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/2013 11:28:20 AM , Rating: 2
You're right, the microSD slot is the ONLY thing this model has compared to any other Nexus phone.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 11:32:55 AM , Rating: 1
Mostly, yeah. That and LTE. The rest is a bullet list comprising nothing of note. It astounds me that $300 is so marginal to you people, lol. I guess the economy is back.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/2013 1:12:19 PM , Rating: 2
Bigger screen, quad core, so it's not "mostly"...
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 1:14:44 PM , Rating: 2
0.3 inches. The Nexus 4 is also quad-core. Again, really marginal stuff here. $300.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By ven1ger on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By ven1ger on 5/16/2013 3:32:06 PM , Rating: 2
Not sure what the problem is. For those that can purchase the Nexus S4 at its price, then that's their choice. If you want cheaper with less features that's your choice. I think for a lot of people that were on the fence of the G4 will probably go with the Nexus S4 instead even for the $50 extra price tag. Hell, I would if I wanted a G4.
I bought the Nexus 4 for my daughter a couple of months ago, didn't really consider the G4 as price was a bit much but for those that can afford it, why not make the plunge.
Nothing wrong with choices, and I wouldn't begrudge others because they see more value in those additional features for the pricetag than you or I would.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/16/2013 3:46:36 PM , Rating: 2
The problem is that I wanted a Nexus 4 with a bigger screen, lol. I'm still on my Note 1 because I didn't want to drop over half an inch.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By ven1ger on 5/17/13, Rating: 2
By ven1ger on 5/17/2013 4:26:03 PM , Rating: 2
What about the Note 2, that was something my younger daughter wanted instead of the hand me down Vibrant. The Note 2 looked very nice and reviews were very positive on it, I even gave my older daughter the option of the Note 2 or Nexus 4 but she chose N4.
It's nice to have many good devices to choose from as everybody has their personal preferences.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/17/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/17/2013 4:59:33 PM , Rating: 2
The Note 2 was basically just two more of the same cores. Quadcore doesn't interest me too much right now on phones, just superior cores. I was also really looking forward to having Google Experience hardware. Samsung is truly awful at supporting AOSP.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Mint on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Mint on 5/15/2013 3:03:59 PM , Rating: 2
Samsung isn't going to cannibalize S4 profits by letting Google sell the same device for far less. The Nexus 4 was a steal, so it's unfair to compare with that.
Besides, there's a whole bunch of additions other than 1080p. It has a 5" screen vs 4", a much faster processor, much bigger battery which is also swappable, a microSD slot, and LTE.
I'm pretty sure that some of the shortcomings of the Nexus 4 were the reason that LG gave Google such a good price, because if it was as good as the Optimus G it would've had the same or higher price.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By karimtemple on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/15/2013 3:12:38 PM , Rating: 2
The Nexus 5 rumors were all based on more LG hardware. The Nexus-ized Optimus G Pro (or something) like how the Nexus 4 is the Nexus-ized Optimus G.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By BRB29 on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By BRB29 on 5/16/2013 8:06:51 AM , Rating: 1
It's not hard to figure out what the next phone will be packing since their choices are limited.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By WinstonSmith on 5/16/2013 10:08:12 AM , Rating: 1
"The Nexus 4 was a steal, so it's unfair to compare with that."
Not so much that it was a steal, it was just priced more like where all phones like it should be priced. An S4 costs $244 to make. It's only because fools put up with absolutely insane markups that allow unlocked S4s to be sold for $650-700.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/13, Rating: 1
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/2013 10:32:54 AM , Rating: 1
Yes, those markups don't include, R&D, marketing, other various things. Not at ALL. /s
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/2013 10:32:58 AM , Rating: 2
Other consumer electronic devices with similar production numbers don't have a nearly 300% markup. Not even close.
The reason these cost so much is because people pay it. Period.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/18/2013 8:27:04 PM , Rating: 2
As pointed out to you :

> quote:
> That's just the component costs. How much to assemble, test, package, ship,etc. Not including R&D (design) and NRE for the equipment to make such items.

iPhone parts cost 199 roughly - costs 650 .... it's cost less than the S4 and still costs the same retail... what's your point again exactly?
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/18/2013 8:39:22 PM , Rating: 2
It appears it only about 170 to make the iphone 5...
Since I can't post a link because DT has this absolute ridiculous notion it's "spam" :

> quote:
> Apple's iPhone 5 16GB costs roughly $168 to make, but you end up paying $649 The iPhone 5, it turns out, isn't that much more expensive to churn out than its iPhone 4S predecessor. It costs about $35 more per unit; the phone's new A6 processor accounting for the bulk of that at $28. That brings the total manufacturing cost of the least expensive iPhone 5: the 16GB, up to an estimated $167.50, according to UBM Tech Insights. It's a decent amount of money, for sure. But $168 feels like a mere drop in the bucket when you stack it up to the phone's retail value of $649. Talk about a markup. As Venture Beat points out, some of that dough does go back into Apple's operations and marketing funds, but at the end of the day, it still ends up amounting to one hell of a profit. Need proof? Well, just in the last quarter alone Apple brought in $8.8 billion in net income, all thanks to its loyal fans overlooking the company's steep price tags. And those folks have no intentions of jumping ship, as proven by iPhone 5 pre-orders selling out in 60 minutes flat on Friday. The most notable differences in the sixth-generation handset are its larger 4-inch display, thinner body and totally redesigned “Lightning” dock connector.

Fix this DT, it's getting realllllllllllly old that links are being detected as spam.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By theapparition on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By theapparition on 5/16/2013 11:14:06 AM , Rating: 2
iSupply teardown =/= the cost to make
That's just the component costs. How much to assemble, test, package, ship,etc. Not including R&D (design) and NRE for the equipment to make such items.
If you sold items you made in your garage for raw material costs, you'd go broke fast.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/2013 10:35:57 AM , Rating: 2
See my comment above about the markup for other consumer electronic devices.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/2013 10:45:22 AM , Rating: 2
Before making claims based upon hunches, use the Internet to make sure you aren't just pulling something out of your arse:
Nexus 7 manufacturing cost - $152
Nexus 7 retail price - $199
Like I said, cell phone buyers are suckers and the entire industry is a huge ripoff including the service providers.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By theapparition on 5/20/13, Rating: 2
By theapparition on 5/20/2013 10:06:26 AM , Rating: 2
Since I work in the industry, I have a little more insight.
Manufacturing cost still doesn't justify the end cost for an item. What about the 100's of millions of R&D that went into developing the product.
The cost to keep the factory lights on, and inventory in the warehouse? Employee cost, as well as benefits.
Think next time you do 10 minutes or research on the internet and then pull incorrect conclusions out of your arse.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/2013 10:53:59 AM , Rating: 2
Oh, and before you come back with an excuse about production number differences, let me lay it out for you:
S3 - 50 million units sold @ HUGE markup
Nexus 7 - 7.6 million units sold @ at typical consumer electronic markup
Like I said, cell phone users standing for and paying 300% markups for unlocked phones = SUCKERS .
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/13, Rating: 0
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/2013 5:41:20 PM , Rating: 0
http://www.isuppli.com/Teardowns/News/pages/iPhone...$199-BOM-Virtual-Teardown-Reveals.aspx
iphone 5 - 199 in parts - starts at 650. What's your point again?
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RE: Deep disappointment
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/13, Rating: 2
By WinstonSmith on 5/18/2013 10:34:55 AM , Rating: 2
My point? My point is not to complain about the S4 specifically, my point is complaining about prices across the industry, allowable only because suckers are willing to pay them to have the latest cool, prestige device.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Silma on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Silma on 5/15/2013 6:40:02 PM , Rating: 2
Way too expensive for a plastic phone that will be yesterday's news in a couple of months and used a year, perhaps 2 at the most with 0 resell value. At this price tablets and ultrabooks become attractive.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By theapparition on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By theapparition on 5/16/2013 11:16:25 AM , Rating: 2
Zero resale value, huh?
By that logic, I should be able to pick up any SGS3 for nothing now. Guess I shouldn't try too hard.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By retrospooty on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By retrospooty on 5/15/2013 6:53:22 PM , Rating: 2
"I cannot tell you how much more I wanted a Nexus 5 than this. UGH!"
So... Then wait for the Nexus 5 to come out. LG is already signed on to build it. Its not like this replaces that. This is just an option for an S4 without Samsungs bloat. DOnt want? dont buy.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Wolfpup on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Wolfpup on 5/16/2013 11:08:37 AM , Rating: 2
Wish this listed side by side specs with the Nexus 4. It would have to be a big upgrade for me to bite. The Nexus 4 is already a pretty high end, competent phone, soooo...
Very cool Google continues to release these though, as personally...well, I'm not a fan of Android period, but no way I'll touch anything but a Nexus.
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/16/2013 5:37:13 PM , Rating: 2
http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2013/05/16/google-ga...
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RE: Deep disappointment
By Makaveli on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Makaveli on 5/16/2013 5:21:16 PM , Rating: 2
Add me to the list of people.
I don't give a Flying F*** about 1080p on a 5 inch screen.
But to all of you that like watching movies and a small ass screen all the power to you.
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WTF
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 2:06:08 PM , Rating: 2

> quote:
> The device will come with 16GB of storage and will operate on either AT&T or T-Mobile's wireless LTE networks.

Seriously? How lame...
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RE: WTF
By jjlj on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By jjlj on 5/15/2013 2:16:15 PM , Rating: 2
My thoughts exactly. I thought part of the reason for Verizon going to LTE was to eliminate network compatibility issues. I guess it won't be until VoLTE is standard.
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RE: WTF
By Spuke on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Spuke on 5/15/2013 2:48:53 PM , Rating: 2
Super lame!!! I was also expecting a Nexus 5. Can't have the HTC One, no Nexus 5, and no unlocked GS4. Why am I on Verizon again?
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RE: WTF
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 5:07:14 PM , Rating: 2

> quote:
> Why am I on Verizon again?

Great service? Fast LTE?
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RE: WTF
By Darksurf on 5/15/13, Rating: 3
By Darksurf on 5/15/2013 5:48:19 PM , Rating: 3
Not where I live! Verizon is Mediocre at best, Plus Verizon insists upon locking the crap out of as many of their phones as possible and not providing updates.
All at the low low price tag of "more expensive than everyone else!"
Switching to Straight Talk in August. With the right phone and sim, its AT&T without the AT&T price tag ;).
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RE: WTF
By BRB29 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By BRB29 on 5/16/2013 8:08:35 AM , Rating: 2
Verizon is usually good in the city where other carriers suck. If you live outside the city, sometimes even Sprint has better coverage.
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RE: WTF
By StormyKnight on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By StormyKnight on 5/16/2013 8:31:37 AM , Rating: 2
Having great service and speedy LTE doesn't mean much if you don't have decent phones to go with it. Verizon also has to have their fingers in everyone's pies. When they can't bloat a phone with all of their crapware, they get all moody like a room full of teenage girls at that time of the month devoid of chocolate.
Unless something changes, you'll never see another Nexus device offered by Verizon. Not that it would matter. They'd cripple it one way or another if they did if not just denying quick updates.
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RE: WTF
By BRB29 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By BRB29 on 5/16/2013 10:03:12 AM , Rating: 2
What?
Phones have bloatware regardless of carrier.
The only gripe anyone can have against verizon is slow updates(even with Nexus) and high price. What you get is faster 4G and more coverage.
It's up to you what works better. For me, I value the better coverage rather than the $10-20 I save.
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RE: WTF
By BRB29 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By BRB29 on 5/16/2013 10:05:17 AM , Rating: 2
Forgot to say there's plenty of phones to choose from. They don't have every phone but there's certainly enough of a selection.
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RE: WTF
By Schadenfroh on 5/17/13, Rating: 2
By Schadenfroh on 5/17/2013 5:13:16 PM , Rating: 2
That is the thing, Nexus should be pure Android... when the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon first launched, Verizon blocked Google Wallet (they had their own service, didn't want competition), shipped it with apps installed that were not AOSP, charged extra for tethering, and required that updates go through them instead of having them issued directly from Google due to their proprietary CDMA radios. The result... the Galaxy Nexus being several updates behind some non-Nexus / AOSP devices.
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RE: WTF
By corduroygt on 5/19/13, Rating: 2
By corduroygt on 5/19/2013 5:08:04 PM , Rating: 2
Verizon has no problems offering the iPhone which they can't change at all, so I don't see how they would not offer another Nexus phone as well.
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RE: WTF
By Schadenfroh on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Schadenfroh on 5/16/2013 10:50:43 PM , Rating: 2
Yup, Verizon is the only carrier that works at my parents' home and a variety of other locals. The only place I had trouble was in West Virginia on a mountain cabin trip. Oddly enough, worked fine in the TN Smoky Mountains.
But, since I live in a major metro area, I'd be all over T-Mobile's contract-free service with a Nexus 4 if not for the fact I'm grandfathered into an unlimited 4g LTE plan with Verizon.
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RE: WTF
By SirKronan on 5/22/13, Rating: 2
By SirKronan on 5/22/2013 12:09:54 PM , Rating: 2
I totally hear you!! I wish we had better phone choices!! Of course "better" to me might not be better to everyone, but shoot...
Verizon is just not a friend of unlocked/developer Android phones as much as our GSM counterparts are. I was really hoping the Nexus unlocked S4 would work on VZ too. I have to buy my future phones outright if I want to keep my unlimited data anyways, so why not buy a phone that will be "pure" Google???
I hate that Verizon is so good. Seriously. I get fast LTE and perfect voice coverage in little towns I work in over by the Teton mountains in Wyoming!! The coverage is outstanding. Were it not so, I would gladly drop Verizon and its high prices for another carrier with more attractive phones.
Phones that DON'T block services I actually use like Google Wallet... I have to root and install custom ROMs just to make Google Wallet work. This would be beyond frustrating if I didn't actually enjoy putting custom ROMs and themes on my phone. I would consider ISIS ... oh WAIT! It doesn't work on rooted phones???
Stupid. Stupid Verizon. Stupid Verizon with your superior network ... I hate and love you at the same time.
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SGS4 nah,,,,
By trajik78 on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By trajik78 on 5/16/2013 12:29:39 AM , Rating: 2
or buy a regular GS4 and install Cyanogenmod 10.1 on it and call it $440 saved.
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RE: SGS4 nah,,,,
By Pirks on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By Pirks on 5/16/2013 1:55:38 AM , Rating: 2
cyanogenmod 10.1 is not out yet, and why bother with it anyway when you have stock google android?
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RE: SGS4 nah,,,,
By ChronoReverse on 5/17/13, Rating: 2
By ChronoReverse on 5/17/2013 3:15:45 PM , Rating: 2
CyanogenMod is better than stock Android for one.
And I'm running CM10.1 on my GS4 _right now_.
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RE: SGS4 nah,,,,
By karimtemple on 5/17/13, Rating: 2
By karimtemple on 5/17/2013 4:17:44 PM , Rating: 2
But that's not release software. =p
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RE: SGS4 nah,,,,
By corduroygt on 5/19/13, Rating: 2
By corduroygt on 5/19/2013 5:08:54 PM , Rating: 2
Please show me where I can buy a Galaxy S4 for $200 without a contract.
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Good one
By bug77 on 5/16/13, Rating: 3
By bug77 on 5/16/2013 3:24:56 AM , Rating: 3
Selling the phone with stock Android for the same price as the Touchwized version is practically an admission that all that custom software is worthless. Otherwise, there shouldn't be any problem pricing this lower (after all, you're selling less) knowing people will gladly pay the premium to get your version of the software.
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RE: Good one
By flyingpants1 on 5/19/13, Rating: 2
By flyingpants1 on 5/19/2013 7:12:48 AM , Rating: 2
I like the multi window feature in touchwiz.
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RE: Good one
By bug77 on 5/19/13, Rating: 2
By bug77 on 5/19/2013 9:55:23 AM , Rating: 2
But how much is it worth it to you? Given two handsets, identical in other respects, but one has multi window and the other one doesn't, how much would you pay for the feature? $50? $100?
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First Nexus with microSD slot?
By jimbojimbo on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By jimbojimbo on 5/15/2013 5:57:51 PM , Rating: 2
I've never bought a Nexus phone before because I want that microSD card. Will this model still have it? That'll be hugely tempting then. There's no mention of it yet but I have this nagging suspicion that it won't have it since none of the others had it before.
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RE: First Nexus with microSD slot?
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By Cheesew1z69 on 5/15/2013 6:10:20 PM , Rating: 2
It's a Galaxy S4, of course it will. And just for the people who want to try to argue it...
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/spec-showdown-...
Yes, it does...
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RE: First Nexus with microSD slot?
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By jimbojimbo on 5/16/2013 11:27:31 AM , Rating: 2
VERY tempting now except for that June 26th date. I guess I'll keep waiting.
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16GB?
By Heinrich on 5/18/13, Rating: 3
By Heinrich on 5/18/2013 9:11:12 AM , Rating: 3
There's no way in 2013 that a phone with only 16GB should cost that much with no higher options available.
RE: 16GB?
By Kurz on 5/20/13, Rating: 2
By Kurz on 5/20/2013 10:33:26 AM , Rating: 2
Space is probably the least costly on the phone.
What you are paying for is the CPU, Screen, Radios.
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IntelliJ rules
By FITCamaro on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By FITCamaro on 5/15/2013 2:03:22 PM , Rating: 2
If its built on IntelliJ it should be good. I use IntelliJ every day at work. Great IDE.
RE: IntelliJ rules
By TakinYourPoints on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By TakinYourPoints on 5/16/2013 3:26:25 AM , Rating: 2
Android Studio is probably the best news out of IO today, huge boost. Developing for Android is the thing I hear cross-platform devs complain about the most, and Google is fixing that.
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If they really want game developers
By BifurcatedBoat on 5/15/13, Rating: 2
By BifurcatedBoat on 5/15/2013 8:38:19 PM , Rating: 2
Game developers work with C++ using tools like Visual Studio and Perforce.
If you want to access more game developers, the more you can lower the entry bar via supporting industry-standard tools the better.
I understand that they want to push Java development for portability, and I'm sure they're not too keen on the idea of supporting proprietary Microsoft products. But still, you can make any kind of development IDE you want, but if it doesn't support other platforms, and doesn't mesh with what people are already using, you'll mostly just get hobbyists who are just getting started and don't have the need to develop anything cross-platform.
RE: If they really want game developers
By TakinYourPoints on 5/16/13, Rating: 2
By TakinYourPoints on 5/16/2013 3:42:35 AM , Rating: 2
Cross-platform tools like Unity and Unreal Engine partly exist for that sort of thing. Otherwise you're going be dealing with porting of some sort, whether it is from C++ for WP or Objective-C for iOS. Cross-platform developers already deal with that when porting native iOS apps over to Android, and if its profitable then they'll do it.
You're correct that it is mainly big developers that are going to deal with porting native apps. It happens all the time, whether it is XBox/PS3, iOS/Android, PC/OSX, etc, so it really isn't a huge deal. I also think tools like Unity are partly there to help the hobbyists that you talk about. It isn't like Unity is a second-rate tool either, I've seen some excellent cross-platform applications come from it.
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I can dream
By Daneel_ on 5/19/13, Rating: 2
By Daneel_ on 5/19/2013 8:12:39 AM , Rating: 2
I just wish it had been the HTC One instead.. Is it too much to ask for a high quality handset AND stock android? I guess I'll have to keep dreaming.
I'm still using my iPhone 4S for now. The 6/5S is going to have to do some heavy lifting to keep me on the iOS platform.

"The Space Elevator will be built about 50 years after everyone stops laughing" -- Sir Arthur C. Clarke
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