Samsung Nexus S / Android 2.3 spy shots

The Google Nexus One (built by HTC) wasn't exactly a success as a consumer phone, but since it became a "developers only" handset it has established a significant niche with those who want a pure Android handset unsullied by manufacturer and carrier cruft and who want the latest versions of the OS.

It's a bit of a surprise to see that there will (apparently) be a follow-up, but these spy shots of the Samsung Nexus S show a fairly large device running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It seems that Google might be trying to go upmarket from where they were, and this is probably a good idea.

Rumoured specs include a 4" 800 x 480 pixel screen, possibly a dual core processor with 512MB RAM, one or two gigabytes of internal memory and HD video capture, so basically a step up in size from its predecessor.

More details and spy shots are available at XDA Developers.

[Via]

Video: LG Optimus One

A look at the surprisingly successful LG Optimus One:

Sony Ericsson Xperia X12 leaks

We've never rated the Xperia X10 much.. it's a decent enough effort, but it simply isn't competitive against the HTC Desire due to its hardware and software limitations. So, the leaked Sony Ericsson X12 looks significantly better with Android 2.3 "Gingerbread", a bigger 4.2" display and a speedy Qualcomm MSM7230 processor.

There have been several leaked photos along with some fairly detailed specifications, we guess that the X12 will be announced very soon for market introduction sometime in the first half of 2011. But will they be able to compete effectively with HTC, Motorola and Samsung when it comes to high-end Android phones?

Via [1], [2], [3]

Worst product review ever?

Is this the worst product review ever? PDA-247s look at the bargain £180 Next Android tablet is scathing, pointing out a shocking lack of quality in a device that appears to be an utter waste of money. It turns out that some of the software is Chinese, which presumably got through because nobody at all checked.

The conclusion sums it all up:

I give up. I simply cannot be bothered to write anything else about what has to be the worst product I have ever had the misfortune to review. It is simply terrible on every level and gets nowhere near its budget price of £180 as far as value is concerned. It can’t get near because it not only doesn’t work very well, it barely works at all. It is a sub-standard, low rent, cheap piece of nonsense which should not be sold by such a well known company.

[Via]

Xperia X10 line to get Android 2.1... finally.

Sony Ericsson have announced that the Xperia X10 line (including the Mini and Mini Pro) are finally getting an OS update from Android 1.6.. but only to Android 2.1!

Of course, everybody else is waiting for Android 2.2 or has it already, version 2.1 is already obsolete as far as many people are concerned. So all Sony Ericsson are doing is replacing an obsolete version of Android with a slightly less obsolete one.

The Xperia X10 is a pretty decent handset, but there's really no reason to choose it over the similarly specified and much more up-to-date HTC Desire or a number of other rivals. Sony Ericsson's commitment to Android looks pretty half-hearted.. in fact their entire strategy during 2010 looks like they are not really trying. Will they survive 2011?

[Via]