Google Nexus S vs Samsung Galaxy S!

How does the Samsung Galaxy S matches up against the Nexus S, the successor of the Nexus One? If you are looking for a new smartphone, should you buy the new Android 2.3-powered Nexus S now or just go for the Samsung Galaxy S and wait for the Android 2.3 update?

In this review, we will provide our opinions on this showdown, as well as our perspective on the Nexus S in general.

Samsung has been a dominant force lately in the highly competitive smartphone domain.

Releasing the Samsung Galaxy S in Europe and Asia and different variations of the Samsung Galaxy S in the United States, Samsung is truly the clear winner in the fast-expanding Android market. The latest Comscore Nov 2010 report found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 24.5% market share

With the decision to launch Nexus S with Samsung, Google has indirectly acknowledged the growing influence of Samsung and their Android products. However, the initial reviews of the Nexus S are not flattering, to say the least. A lot of people have been commenting that the Nexus S is basically a Samsung Galaxy S with contour screen, slightly different looks and running on Android 2.3, which is its main draw. Is that the truth?

Dimensions and Design

Galaxy S - 122 x 64 x 9.9mm (118g)

Nexus S – 123.9 x 63 x 10.9mm (129g)

Although Samsung manufactured and designed both the devices in question they aren’t actually as similar looking as you’d first expect them to be. The dimensions of both phones are similar but the Nexus S has obviously taken a step back from the iPhone-like design of the Galaxy S.

Instead, the Nexus S has taken on a decidedly softer profile with its rounded sides and curved body.

Normal users should not be able to distinguish the differences in their weight and as such, it boils down to personal preference on the winner of this section.

Storage

Galaxy S – 8 or 16GB, able to support up to 32GB microSD

Nexus S – 16GB, no microSD support

It definitely comes as a surprise to many people when it was discovered that the Nexus S will be released without microSD support. The Galaxy S, on the other hand, comes with either 8 or 16Gb and also has expandable storage, up to 32GB, which is a potential 48GB of storage in total.

Although it can be argued that a lot of apps on the Android Market currently cannot be saved to SD cards yet, it should not be a valid reason for the lack of microSD support. If Google has intended for all applications to be saved only to internal memory, there would not have been support for such functionality in Froyo. We found this inconsistency to be slightly frustrating and as such, the Galaxy S is definitely the winner here.

Displays and Processors

Galaxy S – Super AMOLED, 4 inch

Nexus S – Super AMOLED, 4 inch

On the display side, there is nothing to separate the two unless you take into consideration the contour screen of the Nexus S, which in our opinion, did not really affect the performance of the display much.

Galaxy S – 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor

Nexus S – 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor

On the processor side, there is no difference between the 2 models as well. In reality, the current 1Ghz processors are adequate for the foreseeable usage of these 2 smartphones and thus, this might explain why the Nexus S is only running the standard 1Ghz Hummingbird processor found in many high end Android phones. However, from CES 2011, we have seen what the Motorola Atrix 4G is capable of with its dual core processors. It would not be surprising thus to see many more future smartphones being released with dual core processors.

Camera

Galaxy S – 5 MP front facing camera

Nexus S – 5MP front facing camera with flash

If there is one thing that Samsung and Google has got it right, it must be the inclusion of a flash in the Nexus S for its camera. For far too long, iPhone users have been gushing about the flash that comes with the iPhone 4 and how it has been an improvement over the iPhone 3GS camera functionality. Now, at last, Samsung and Google can point to Nexus S as their answer to the weakness of the Galaxy S.

Operating System

Galaxy S – Android 2.3

Nexus S – Android 2.2 (soon to be updated to 2.3?)

The unique selling points of the Nexus S have always been that:

1. It’s the first Android 2.3 device
2. The Nexus S is guaranteed to have access to the next version of Android as soon as it is released

The Nexus S is also a fully open phone for developers, and thus, it is guaranteed that a lot of useful mods and ROMs will be developed for it, just like the case with the Nexus One. The Galaxy S, on the other hand, does not allow too much accessibility to its users. This makes it harder for those who like to tinker around or have full control over their phones. Well, you can always choose to root your Galaxy S but that’s another story altogether.

As such, besides the additional functionalities provided by Android 2.3, Nexus S should be a more appealing choice for the tinkers and developers out there. Coupled this with the fact that Samsung might not provide the upgrade to Android 2.3 for the Galaxy S as soon as we like it to be, the Nexus S is definitely the winner for this section.

Summary

From the results of the matchup, it becomes apparent that the intention of Nexus S is never to compete with or push the limits on the technical specifications and performance benchmark of current smartphones. The Nexus S is comparable to the Samsung Galaxy S for the normal everyday users but if it is taken in the context of a developer phone, then the advantages of the Nexus S becomes clear.

If you are an early adopter, an Android app developer or someone that desires full control of your phone, the Nexus S will be the logical choice. If you are comfortable with the default Samsung TouchWiz interface and has no intentions of even rooting your phone, then the Samsung Galaxy S will be a much better choice for you in terms of stability and support.

Read rest of entry

No Stolen Java Code Shipping with Android, After all

It seems whoever came to the conclusion that Android is shipping with a group of 30+ segments of code copied line by line from Java may have not done their homework. After further analysis of the files in question, Ed Burnette of ZDNet has concluded that there are in fact no instances of copied code shipping directly with Android.

The first set of files in question are a group used for running internal tests, and not meant to ship with a final build of Android on a device. A second set contain files specific to native code audio drivers, and also would not ship with Android. The first set did have some wonky licensing pasted on top of it, but Google has already taken upon itself to delete the files as of January 14th, 2011.

It seems the internet (we included) got a bit worked up over the sensationalist claims that Google is clearly stealing from Oracle and Java and was quick to spread the word without further checking into the code in question.

[via ZDNet | Thanks, Tati!]

Read rest of entry

Nexus One Getting Update to Android 2.2.2

Not to be left completely in the dust by its successor the Nexus S, we are also receiving word that the Nexus One is also receiving an update today. The N1′s latest software brings it up to Android 2.2.2, which appears to be a maintenance update more than anything else.

 We’re still looking into whether or not this update also fixes the SMS bug as does the Nexus S’s Android 2.3.2 update, but we get the feeling it does. Nexus One owners expect this one over the air over the next few days.

Read rest of entry

Windows Phone 7 Jailbreak Team (ChevronWP7) Working With Microsoft On a ‘Win – Win’ Situation

With the team behind Windows Phone 7 jailbreaking app ChevronWP7 meeting Microsoft earlier this week, many wondered what the future would hold for the homebrew scene. Now though, developers Rafael Rivera, Chris Walsh, and Long Zheng have broken cover to help allay everyone’s fears, writes GeekSmack.

While much of the discussions are understandably under NDA, the team have said that they will be working with the Redmond giant to ensure the Windows Phone 7 homebrew scenecontinues to develop.

After two full days of meetings with various members of the Windows Phone 7 team we couldn’t wait to share with everyone the results of those discussions.
Although a large majority of the content presented by Microsoft is covered by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which we voluntarily agreed to, we can say we’re genuinely excited by many of the forward-looking presentations. We can only hope these features come to fruition as soon as possible.
To address our goals of homebrew support on Windows Phone 7, we discussed why we think it’s important, the groups of people it affects, its direct and indirect benefits and how to manage any risks.
With that in mind, we will work with Microsoft towards long-term solutions that support mutual goals of broadening access to the platform while protecting intellectual property and ensuring platform security.
In the meantime, a forthcoming Windows Phone 7 update will fix a bug that the ChevronWP7 unlocker tool took advantage of; the tool will cease to work thereafter.
To fill this short-term gap, we’re collaborating with Microsoft on an interim solution that will continue to support homebrew developments after the update. We will share details of this when it has been finalized.
In summary, we appreciate Microsoft’s outreach, genuine interest and involvement in this matter and we hope the community can understand we’re working towards a win-win scenario.

It’s refreshing to see a hardware manufacturer be so open when it comes to the hacking of their device. If only Apple was so keen to listen to its users!

Read rest of entry

AT&T and Verizon Together In New iPhone 4 Commercial [Video]

Apple has started airing a new iPhone 4 commercial which brings two of the largest American cellular networks together on-screen.


The ad shows that you can do FaceTime calls, navigate using Maps, read iBooks, download apps and do much more equally on both the AT&T and Verizon iPhone 4.
The ad ends on a note saying:

Two is better than one.

Apple is all set to launch the CDMA based iPhone 4 on Verizon Wireless on February 10th, 2011.
You may also like to check out:

• via [ Engadget)

Read rest of entry

How To Enable Multitasking Gestures and Side Switch for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS on iOS 4.3

Last week Apple released iOS 4.3 beta for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, iPod Touch 4G and iPod Touch 3G. This beta version brings a new feature called “Multitouch/Multitasking Gestures” for iPad.

According to a BGR report, Apple is also testing Multitasking Gestures for iPhone. On the other side Apple has already made it clear during the release of iOS 4.3 beta 2 that this new feature will not be enabled for customers in final build.

If you have already updated your iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS to any iOS 4.3 beta version and want to enable Multitasking Gestures feature on your device, you will have to edit some iOS 4.3 beta .plist files.


Here are the instructions and files you will have to edit to get this feature. This will also enable the side switch settings (Mute or Lock Rotation).

You’re going to need a jailbroken iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS running iOS 4.3 beta 1 OR 2 (as they’re both jailbroken). Here are the 5 files you’re going to need to edit:

1. N90AP.plist in /System/Library/CoreServices/SpringBoard.app/
2. General.plist in /Applications/Preferences.app/
3. Settings.plist in /Applications/Preferences.app/
4. com.apple.springboard.plist in /var/mobile/Library/Preferences

com.apple.springboard.plist

1. Add “SBUseSystemGestures” as a key.
2. Set it to “true”.

You can use the other entries in that .plist file as an example.
N90AP.plist

1. Add “multitasking-gestures” as a compatibility.
2. Set it to “true”.

You can use the other entries in that .plist file as an example.
General.plist

1. Download this modified General.plist (thanks to @k0mpresd).
2. Replace “General.plist” in /Applications/Preferences.app/ with the one you’ve just downloaded.

Settings.plist

1. Download this modified Settings.plist (thanks to @k0mpresd).
2. Replace “Settings.plist” in /Applications/Preferences.app/ with the one you’ve just downloaded.

Do a respring or a tethered-boot, and you should see “Multitasking_Gestures” at the top of the list in Settings. Turn it on (should be on already), and use the gestures. The side switch toggle is also in the General section.

Disclaimer: This guide is posted for educatinal and informational purposes only. We don’t recommend/suggest you to download or edit .plist files and we won’t be responsible for any type of damage to your device. 
Video showing Mutlitouch Gesturing on iPhone:

For more news coverage, you can follow us on Twitter or become a fan on our Facebook page, we will keep you updated with posts over the web.

Read rest of entry

Cydia gets a new feature - Theme Center

Jay Freeman has just opened a new center in Cydia called Theme Center. This new feature will allow users to search for Retina and non-Retina themes. At this moment it contains only some popular themes, MacCiti and ModMyi staff picks.

The second feature to use my Whole Package Index, the “Cydia Theme Center”, went up an hour ago, and 15,000 people have already tried it! ;P

This is the second feature Jay Freeman adds to Cydia, the first one allows users to easily check installed packages. As noted by saurik this new feature looks pretty good and popular. [viaAppAdvice]

Read rest of entry