Galaxy Nexus arrives in Germany and on Vodafone UK, Verizon twiddles its thumbs

Good news, folks: there’s one more place you can get the Galaxy Nexus that isn’t America. Engadget reports that retailers across Germany have jumped the gun and started selling the Galaxy Nexus early. Availability is still a little shaky – it looks like some outlets are offering the unlocked GSM version and some aren’t, though Media Mart is reportedly a reliable place to find it.

Prices vary from €529- €629 (about $713-$847), but it’s not clear if that’s simply retailer variation or a different price for the 16GB and 32GB models. None of the local carriers in Germany are offering subsidized versions, but if you live in the UK you’ve got an embarrassment of riches in that area. Vodafone is now offering the Galaxy Nexus on contract, being the fourth carrier to do so, behind O2, Orange and T-Mobile. In the UK you can now purchase the phone from all major carriers or “unlocked”.
Meanwhile in Google’s home country, Android fans continue to stew over Verizon’s total lack of communication concerning the first Ice Cream Sandwich phone. Though leaks and rumors are rampant (lately December 8th and 11th is favored) there’s still been no official word on a release or even a pre-order. Livid customers are beginning to flood Verizon with Twitter and Facebook messages, demanding a release and expressing their frustration every time the company sends out a marketing message. Observe:

If you’re sick of waiting, have about eight hundred dollars and want to use AT&T or T-Mobile, you could always order an import model from Expansys. Because at this point, Verizon clearly does not want your business.

Read more »

White Samsung Galaxy S II now available from Vodafone UK

That white version of Samsung's Galaxy S II flagship smartphone that we expected to arrive on September 1 is now available to purchase from Vodafone UK. It may be a few days late, but that hasn't stopped the white version from looking as dapper as ever. Fashionably late, right? Interested buyers can pick it up for free with a new two-year contract and a monthly plan of 36 GBP or greater.

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 up for sale at Vodafone UK

IT appears that one of the only carriers in the entirety of Europe to get their Galaxy Tab 10.1 shipment before the massive Euro ban of the tablet, Vodafone UK, has now got their stock up for sale, thanks to the courts suspension of said ruling outside of Germany. This device of course is also for sale in some other bits of the world including the USA and Australia, but has certainly suffered some losses in potential sales due to the court ruling. Meanwhile the rest of the UK is more than likely awaiting shipment of their Tabs so that sales may resume across the English side of the ocean.



In related news, we’re still reeling over the complete disappearance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7  from IFA 2011 as another court case appeared like a wild Snorlax. The folks at Samsung are truly going to need to get their Pokeflute out to move this wild beast from their path soon or they’ll take what can only be described as a Charizard-sized hit in sales in Deutschland.

Also meanwhile, you can check out some app reviews we’ve got on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 right here in the USA as well, including Cranky Cat and Cat Dance Club LWP, the racing game Reckless Getaway, everyone’s favorite Google Reader, water intensive Sprinkle, airplanes ahoy with SteamBirds, and of course all your favorite feeds with News360.
And of course you could check out our review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 LTE from Verizon as well, complete with TouchWiz UX straight outta the developer halls of Samsung.

Device Specifications and Information

Device Info

Device Name : Galaxy Tab 10.1

Manufactuer : Samsung

Carrier :

Announced Date : March 22, 2011

Release Date : June 08, 2011

Also Known As : Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Google I/O Limited Edition

Display

• Screen Size : 10.1 Inch
• Resolution : 1280x800
• Screen Type : TFT

Dimension & Weight

• Height : 10.09 Inch
• Width : 6.81 Inch
• Depth : 0.34 Inch
• Weight : 595 Grams

Battery & Power

• Battery Type:
• Lithium Ion

• Battery Capacity : 7000 mAh
• Talk Time : NA
• Stand By Time : 120 hours

Software

• Android OS:
• 3.1.x

• Audio Playback:
• AAC
• AAC+
• AMR
• MP3

• Video Playback:
• h.263
• h.264 / AVC

• Messaging:
• SMS
• MMS
• IM

Hardware

CPU : Tegra 2

CPU Clock Speed : 1000 Mhz

Core : 2

Ram : 1000 MB

Internal Storage : 32 GB

Front Facing Camera :

Camera Resolution :3.2 MP

• Camera Features:
• Auto focus
• Flash
• 1080p Video Recording
• 720p Video Recording

• Sensors:
• Accelerometer
• Ambient light
• Proximity

QWERTY :

Cellular Network

• Network Technology:
• GSM

• GSM Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1800
• 1900

• CDMA Band:
• 850
• 900
• 1900
• 2100

Device Connectivity

• Wi-Fi:
• 802.11a
• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

• Bluetooth:
• Bluetooth 2.0

• Location Features:
• Compass
• GPS
• Cellular location
• Wi-Fi location

FM Radio :

)

Read more »

HTC Sensation 2.3.4 update now available on Vodafone UK

Good news for those of you who grabbed the HTC Sensation through Vodafone UK. The Big Red carrier has released a small firmware update for HTC’s baby to address several performance and stability issues. More precisely, the new software brings stability and performance updates, reduces heating in some scenarios by optimizing processor load, and improves browser performance.
To see if the new software version is available for your Sensation, hit “Settings,” scroll down to “About phone,” tap “System software updates,” and then “Check now.” Hit update and wait for several minutes for the update to complete. Make sure your battery is fully charged and that you’re in a fast Wi-Fi hotspot to make the download faster. If that’s on place – you’re ready to go. Good luck!
And before I let you go, I must remind you to backup the data. Yeah I know I’m getting repetitive with this – but trust me, this is how it should be done, with all of your data stored locally just in case something goes wrong…
[Via: EuroDroid]

Read more »

Vodafone becomes the first in Europe to offer operator billing for Android apps

You buy a new fancy smartphone from the shops, take it home, and then after you get all your data on there you start looking for applications to make your shiny toy unique to your individual needs. If said smartphone was an iPhone, then all you need to purchase apps is your iTunes username and password. If you picked up an Android device … then you’re going to be put through the hell of having to enter your 16 digit credit card number, expiration date, security code, and more, just to be able to get your Angry Birds fix. Now there’s a way to get around this called operator building, which is exactly what it sounds like, your apps are put on the same bill as the one that comes in the post every month from your operator. It’s been available in America since November 2009 via T-Mobile, and with time it’s expanded to the other American operators, but what about Europe?
Vodafone just became the first operator on the continent across the pond to offer their customers operator billing in the Android Market, but it’s currently limited to the UK and Germany. Considering those are practically the two largest mobile markets in Europe, that’s not a bad start. The bigger question here is are Android owners willing to spend money on applications when the studies show that you’re better off trying to milk iPhone owners of their nickels and dimes? That’s something you as a developer have to ask yourself, because what’s the point in wasting all that time writing “Java” (read: Dalvik) code if it isn’t going to put food on your table?
Anyway, there are some restrictions on this so your 14 year old doesn’t force you to file bankruptcy. The most expensive app you’ll be able to buy will be capped at £30, which we doubt you’ll ever see in the Android Market, and you’ll also be limited to £250 per month. That should stop a lot of toddlers from going crazy in whatever game Disney comes out with that has far too many in-app purchases to be considered anything other than a scam attached to a cute and lovable brand.

Read more »

Vodafone launches carrier billing for Android Market shoppers

Vodafone Europe has announced it will be offering direct operator billing as an option on Android devices, allowing users to charge apps from the Android Market directly to their phone bill. Available initially in the UK and Germany, Vodafone expects it to have a positive effect on app sales, where users may have previously avoided paid-software over the hassles of adding a credit card to their account.

Initially, Vodafone says, carrier billing will only be available to those who purchased their Android device through the company’s retail or online stores. The implication, however, seems to be that at some point that will be updated so that anyone slotting in a Vodafone SIM to their device will be able to charge apps to that account.
Further roll-outs across Vodafone are expected in future, and we’re guessing other European carriers will follow suit. Several US carriers already offer operator billing for Android.

Read more »