In a move that feels oddly reminiscent of Verizon announcing the iPhone (read: announcing a nearly year old device), AT&T just told the world that it would be getting the Samsung Nexus S, which is immediately available for pre-order from Best Buy for $99 with a two-year agreement.

This version of the Nexus S is lacking HSPA+, which makes it exactly like the T-Mobile version that landed in December of last year. Don't get me wrong - the Nexus S is a good phone, and the only device currently on store shelves that runs pure vanilla Gingerbread, but I just find it a bit hard to get excited about a device that's already been on the market for quite a while.

That aside, if you don't want to head over to Best Buy to pre-order this handset, it'll be on Ma Bell's shelves on July 24th.

SAMSUNG MOBILE ANNOUNCES AVAILABILTY OF NEXUS S ON AT&T

Nexus S hits Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile specialty stores, as well as online on July 24; pre-sale begins July 21

DALLAS – July 21, 2011 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today announced the upcoming availability of Nexus™ S from Google™ through Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile specialty stores and www.BestBuy.com/Mobile.

Optimized for AT&T’s network, and powered by Android™ 2.3, Nexus S offers an experience with uniquely powerful technology. Nexus S is designed with Samsung’s special Super AMOLED™ touch screen technology providing a premium viewing experience.  Nexus S runs off of a 1 GHz Samsung application processor, producing rich 3D graphics, as well as faster download and upload times. With Nexus S AT&T customers will now have access to the latest and greatest Google applications and Android updates first.

Nexus S will be available at Best Buy in stores on July 24 for $99.99 with a new, two-year activation. In addition, the phone is available for pre-sale in Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile specialty stores and online at www.BestBuy.com/Mobile beginning July 21.

Key Features:

  • Pure Google experience
  • 4” Super AMOLED™ Contour Display
  • 3G Network Speed and 1GHz Processor
  • Latest Google Mobile Apps
  • Full HTML Browser with Pinch to Zoom
  • Android 2.3 Gingerbread
  • Multitasking
  • Front-facing VGA camera
  • Rear-facing 5.0 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
  • Voice-enabled Keyboard
  • Text-to-Speech
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • 3D Motion for Gaming
  • Business and Personal Email, Contacts, and Calendar Sync
  • Tethering
  • NFC Support
  • Internet Calling
  • Google Voice
  • Access to more than 250,000 apps in Android Market™

Specifications:

  • Frequency: GSM850/900/1800/1900 UMTS 850/1900/2100
  • Dimensions: 123.9 x 63 x 10.88(mm)
  • Weight: 129 grams
  • Display: Super AMOLED™, 480 x 800 pixels
  • Battery: 1500mAh Li-ion standard battery
  • Talk Time: Up to 6.5 hours
  • Standby Time: Up to 450 hours

1Number one mobile phone provider in the United States claim for Samsung Mobile based upon reported shipment data, according to Strategy Analytics, Q1 2011 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Reports.

Battery power consumption depends on factors such as network configuration, signal strength, operating temperature, features selected, vibrate mode, backlight settings, browser use, frequency of calls and voice, data and other application usage patterns.

Nexus S, Google, Google Voice, Android and Android Market are trademarks of Google, Inc.