Nexus S Debuts but Being Sold Exclusively at Best Buy

Nexus S Debuts but Being Sold Exclusively at Best Buy
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Yesterday Google announced the newest handset in the Android portfolio -- the
which will be running Gingerbread (Android 2.3). It was not more than a few weeks ago that Eric Schmidt was spotted showing off the Nexus S -- at the Web 2.0 summit in California. Google developed this smartphone with Samsung. The company explains that they have spent a considerable amount of time with Samsung -- to ensure that the handset delivers a "pure Google" experience. From Andy Rubin's (VP of Engineering) post, I am making an educated guess as to what a "pure Google" experience is like:
  • Features a 4" Contour Display
  • A 1GHz Hummingbird processor
  • Front and rear facing cameras
  • 16GB of internal memory
  • NFC
  • Improvements in the user interface
  • A new keyboard and text selection tool
  • Internet (VoIP/SIP) calling
  • Improved copy/paste functionality
  • Gyroscope sensor support
Missing from the experience is a dual core processor -- like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2Ghz processor. This would have been a very nice addition to the overall "pure Google" experience.
Apart from the experience there is a very nice set of
that the Nexus S will be sporting:
  • HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
  • Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
  • Near Field Communication (NFC)
  • microUSB 2.0
  • Super AMOLED screen
  • Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560x1920)
What I am most excited about seeing on the Nexus S is NFC or near field communications. Essentially, NFC is a short-range
technology that allows NFC enabled devices to exchange information. This is wireless technology can be used in mobile payment systems. One such possibility for NFC is ISIS.

This is a partnership between AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile -- where the companies are building a national mobile commerce system. This is a platform that will leverage smartphones -- like the Nexus S -- and NFC to affect mobile payments. ISIS essentially turns your Nexus S into a mobile wallet.

Strangely enough the Nexus S is only being sold at Best Buy stores:

The Nexus S is being sold exclusively through Best Buy in the U.S. online and in retail stores paired with a T-Mobile two-year service agreement and qualifying Even More voice and data plan, or available unlocked at full MSRP price. The Nexus S will run on a GSM network and will ship with a T-Mobile SIM card in the box. T-Mobile does not plan to sell the Nexus S through any of its channels. The Nexus S will be available for $199 with a T-Mobile two-year service agreement and qualifying Even More voice and data plan starting on December 16th.

-T-Mobile

What are your thought on the Best Buy exclusivity deal? Do you think that the Nexus S should also be sold at T-Mobile stores?

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