Nexus 4 - 10/11 - Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Nov

[Updated] Google Nexus 4 Review: The Beautifully-Crafted, Premium Flagship Phone That Android Deserves

Posted by Ron Amadeo in LG, Nexus 4, Reviews

Last Updated: November 16th, 2012

The most important phone of the year has arrived. We not only get a new version of Android, but a new approach to hardware design, too. This isn't just any new piece of hardware; this is (hopefully) the start of a revolution in design and materials for Android phones. This Nexus 4 hardware is so good, so well-built, and made with such attention to detail, that it is the new high bar for any hardware - not just Android hardware. The standard cheap plastic slabs aren't going to cut it anymore after this.

Besides the killer hardware, it's also the first phone with Android 4.2, which isn't hugely different from 4.1; in fact, it's still known as "Jelly Bean." There are a few new goodies, most notably lock screen widgets, an overhauled camera app, and a beautifully designed clock app that no doubt indicates the future design direction of Android.

Nov

Initial Impressions Of The Nexus 4 - Raising The Bar For Design, Materials, And Build Quality

Posted by Ron Amadeo in Jelly Bean 4.2, LG, Nexus 4

Last Updated: November 14th, 2012

Finally. Since Hurricane Sandy flooded out New York and canceled Google's press event, we've been trying everything we can think of to get a review unit. Late yesterday we got an email back from an awesome Googler (thanks!), and I immediately flew out the door to go rescue a Nexus 4 from New York. We got one! Mission accomplished!

I have a million things to work on now: a full review, a bunch of GTKAs, and teardowns of everything. First, though I figured I'd quickly show off the new Nexus:

For starters, the build quality and materials are amazing. As soon as you pick it up you know you're holding something that is built with more love and thought than a Galaxy Nexus or GSIII.

Nov

LG Nexus 4 System Dump And New Wallpapers Available For Download

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Nexus 4

The Nexus 4 may not be officially available until November 13th, but that didn't stop someone from yanking the system dump and uploading it for all the world to enjoy. Devs can grab the file now and start tinkering away with the goodies found inside the 291MB zip.

For those who may not be interested in grabbing the entire thing and only want some visual goodies, though, we've pulled the new wallpapers from the dump:

Oct

Creatives At San Francisco-Based Autofuss Release Gorgeous Promo Video For Google's Nexus Family

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Android OS, Google, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Videos

If you thought Google's official Ask Me Anything video was a good promo for the new Nexus family, wait till you see this. A design studio called Autofuss (based in San Francisco) has created their own promo video for the Nexus 4, 7, and 10, that does a great job of showing off the new line. Take a look:

Not only is the thirty-second spot a pixel-perfect promo in terms of style, polish, and overall concept, but it stays true to Google's own Nexus branding, art style, and features copy that feels right at home in a promo made for Google.

Oct

Thinking Of Leaving Verizon Or Sprint For The Nexus 4? Several GSM Carriers Compared (Pre- And Post-Paid)

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Carriers, News, Nexus 4

The time has finally come: after spending the biggest part of a decade with Verizon Wireless, I'm moving to a GSM carrier. This isn't just because of the Nexus 4, though - I've been debating on making the move for months now. However, Big Red delayed the inevitable change when they turned on LTE in my area.

Still, I'm sick of being tied down to CDMA carrier, and the recent Nexus 4 announcement is the straw that broke the camel's back. I don't want to be locked into a contract any longer, and there's only one economical way to get away from that: buy the Nexus 4 and move to a GSM carrier.

Oct

Here Is Another Reason Google Continues To Shun SD Cards - Multiuser Support

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Google, News, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7

The lack of expandable storage in Nexus devices becomes one of the hottest and most controversial topics every time Google does a refresh and we find out that the next generation lacks SD cards entirely yet again. Couple that with the decision to limit onboard storage options to 16GB max, which is the case with the Nexus 4 at the moment and was the case with the Nexus 7 for a while, and you've got a full-blown revolt.

You may have read one explanation of Google's aversion to SD cards, which was brought up by Android engineer Dan Morrill last year: it's confusing to users to have multiple storage points, the insecure "free-for-all" area was not meant for private app data but rather for media, and essentially SD cards are the sources of all evil.

Oct

PSA: Google Clarifies Nexus 4 Support For HSPA+42, Updates Play Store Pages Accordingly

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in AT&T, News, Nexus 4, T-Mobile

When the Nexus 4 was announced yesterday, there was a bit of confusion regarding its HSPA+ support for faster HSPA+42 speeds offered by companies like T-Mobile. The Device Play Store pages showed HSPA+21, but T-Mobile's press release claimed the faster HSPA+42, also known as DC-HSPA+ (dual-cell). Did that mean that T-Mobile customers needed to get a special variant of the Nexus? The answer is no, but the inaccuracy surely puzzled some.

Google just cleared up the confusion and updated the Device Play Store with the right data. Both the 8GB and 16GB pages now correctly mention HSPA+42:

If you're a customer of T-Mobile, AT&T, or a myriad of related MVNOs, buy the new Nexus without fear when it becomes available November 13th.

Oct

A Closer Look At Android 4.2's Quick Settings Menu And The Two-Finger Swipe To Open It Instantly

Posted by Cameron Summerson in Jelly Bean 4.2, News, Nexus 10, Nexus 4

Back in early October while we were knee-deep in a pre-release Android 4.2 system dump, Ron found an interesting tidbit of info on a "quick settings" menu. Back then, it was a double pull down notification area that housed absolutely nothing of value. Thanks to today's Nexus/Android 4.2 announcements, however, we know not only what options the Quick Settings area will feature, but also how to really access it.

There are actually two ways to get into the QS menu, as highlighted by Hugo Barra in an incredible behind-the-scenes video put together by The Verge (see the full video here):

As you can see in the above clip, there will be a small toggle in the notification area directly beside the current Settings button, which, when pressed, will cause the notification area to do a neat little flip, revealing the Quick Setting area.

Oct

Polls: Are You Planning On Picking Up A Member Of The New Nexus Family?

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Google, Nexus 10, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Polls

Now that we're acquainted with the new Nexus family, many users are beginning to make plans to pick up one, two, or potentially all the new additions to Google's flagship product line.

There's no doubt that all three devices are tempting – the Nexus 4 packs a Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, an 8MP camera capable of creating beautiful "photo spheres," and a 4.7" 1280x768 display.

The new Nexus 10 tablet has a display that might melt your corneas at 2560x1600 (~300dpi), a dual-core A15 processor from Samsung, and 2GB RAM for exceedingly speedy performance.

And of course, the Nexus 7 has also received a refresh with 32GB and 3G-connected variants making their debuts soon.

Oct

Why Doesn't The Nexus 4 Have LTE? Here's Google's Explanation, And Why It Sort Of Makes Sense

Posted by David Ruddock in 4G, News, Nexus 4

If you haven't heard by now, the Nexus 4 doesn't have LTE. It probably won't ever have it, either, based on what Andy Rubin told The Verge regarding the latest Nexus handset's network situation in an interview.

He talks a lot about "tactics" and "user experience" (read: battery life), but it really boils down to one issue: money. The fact that the unlocked 8GB version of the Nexus 4 is just $300 is absolutely crazy. Looking at the hardware, this is easily a $600 phone. Having used an Optimus G (the platform this phone is based on), I already know this is a truly premium device.