The Missing Galaxy Nexus...

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Where is the Galaxy Nexus? Google's first Android 4.0 smartphone is missing and no one seems to have any answers as to where it is and when its going to land on a US carrier. The latest news and rumors on the Galaxy Nexus are nothing short of a roller coaster ride. Samsung and Google told the world in October that the device was going to land in the US by December. This obviously didn't happen, instead we saw the UK get theirs, but the rumor mill hasn't slowed either. This weeks rumored US launch date was December 9th, todays online buzz suggests a December 13th launch, but that seams unlikely because Google, Samsung and Verizon are completely quiet.

So, what is really going on with the Galaxy Nexus and why has Verizon still not announced a release date for this highly anticipated smartphone? Is it still a work in progress with Verizon's LTE connection issues of late? Are Google and Big Red (Verizon) working on an agreement for the NFC features (Google Wallet) for the phone? Maybe they are just having some differing opinions on the direction of how to market the phone (DROID or No DROID). We really don't know!

The folks at phonedog.com are reporting that despite the fact that previous Nexus phones were pure Android, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus will likely include some pre-instaled bloatware apps as well as Verizon branding on the device. This is a big deal because previous Nexus phones have pridefully offered a pure Android OS experience without carrier branding, custom UI influences or apps outside of stock Google Android.

I for one have been excited about the upcoming Galaxy Nexus even before the big Hong Kong announcement in October and I'm obviously not alone in saying "Come on already!" In my opinion, it seems that Google may be tragically allowing Verizon to fumble a game changing touchdown! This is not just another smartphone, its the king of all Android phones and the first Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) device ever. This should be handled with quick and decisive action on the part of all parties directly involved and with the consumer moral high during the holiday season shopping season, there is no time like the present.

What do you think? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Tell us what you think of how the Galaxy Nexus launch is being handled or mishandled and when you think it will actually arrive in the US.


[ Via PhoneDog  ]

T-Mobile Stepping Up Small Business Wireless Effort

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T-Mobile is on a roll with new feature offerings and an improved wireless portfolio for 2011. They reported a slight financial gain of 1% over 2nd quarter results and added 126,000 to their overall subscriber base in the 3rd Quarter earnings report for 2011. They have revealed a renewed game plan focusing marketing efforts more on their Value Plans and Monthly 4G (No Contract Plans).  First the launch of the highly competitive T-Mobile Value Plans featuring T-Mobile's Best Plan Ever (2 Lines/ $49.99 each Unlimited Data, Talk and Text), then on November 16th at a Google Android event in Los Angeles, they introduced exclusive music offering (T-Mobile Free Tracks) showcasing the ability for (T-Mobile customers exclusively) to pay for Google Music downloads on their monthly wireless bill.

Now the magenta carrier has revealed a competitive offer on T-Mobile Small Business. For a limited time customers can receive a $15 monthly discount every month for a year on a 2 year T-Mobile Small Business agreement ($49.99/month). T-Mobile Small Business customers on Blackberry plans can also receive free Premium Blackberry apps worth over $100 between now and December 31, 2011. This move allows them to the opportunity to gain some ground on what competitors like Sprint, AT&T and Verizon are doing in their small business sectors as the year finishes out. We are keeping an eye on this and other moves that T-Mobile is making to stay competitive in these challenging times in wireless business. Share your thoughts in the comments area below. Let us know if you think T-Mobile is on the right road or headed towards a dead end.

Via T-Mobile Small Business

Google Music Is Official !

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Google Music was made official today, November 16th, 2011 at a launch event in Los Angeles. This is big news for music artists and fans alike because of the new Google Music Store. The Google Music Store is an intuitive platform for both hit making top 40 superstars and aspiring newcomers alike. Google's database of over 13 million songs starting at 99 cent will be available immediately, with more music soon to follow.

Google Music aims to be a much needed bridge for unknowns to be discovered and get their music out to the world. Jaime Rosenberg ( Google Director of Digital Content for Android ) outlined how the new platform allows the artist to control their own music and set pricing for it to be downloaded. This along with loads of exclusive content, music sharing and recommendations between Google+ Circles, set it apart from other music platforms like iTunes.

During the announcement, they discussed  Androids recent and dramatic growth. The Android platform occupies 52.5% of the current smartphone market. In light of that, Google Music users will enjoy integration with Google+ and their music content will be available via Google cloud service on their Android phones, tablets and computers. Google Music customers will enjoy the convenience of being able to access and play up to 20,000 music tracks across any browser including iOS devices free.

T-Mobile was also on hand for todays announcement and they boldly displayed their commitment to Android as they will be the first wireless carrier to fully support Google Music. T-Mobile wireless subscribers will have access to free and exclusive music content, additionally T-Mobile is the only carrier to allow Google Music subscribers to pay for their music downloads on their monthly wireless bill. This seems logical as T-Mobile was the first wireless company to partner with Google as they launched the very first Android phone the HTC built (Google G1) in 2008 on T-Mobile exclusively. This partnership has continued and T-Mobile currently offers the largest line-up of  Android phones running on Americas Largest 4G network which currently reaches over 200 million people nationwide in 208 major markets .

With their entry into digital music sales, they will be mixing it up with Apple and Amazon to claim their portion of the 6.8 Billion dollars in digital music sales projected for 2012 by Gartner, a leading tech research firm. Google has done their homework and as they shared at the launch event, they intend to apply what they learned during Google Music BETA to make this service a compelling digital music offering that can compete among giants.

Via Google Music, T-Mobile, Gartner Research

Google Announces Android Event November 16th, With a Side of T-Mobile

This could be BIG news! Google has been sending out invites to an event to be held in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday November 16th 2pm pacific time. There isn't much detail on what the event is about. Looking at the picture, one can definitely conclude that Android and T-Mobile will be in the house for the LA event. Google definitely has something up their sleeve considering this is an (invite only) event and keeping with a host of other BIG 11-11-11 announcements, it will surely be a substantial unveiling.

Wanna be in on the Google goodies set for November 16th? Simply click YouTube.com/Android at 2pm pacific (5pm eastern time) and you're in!

What is Google's big announcement? Will it be an exclusive service or app for T-Mobile Android users or a killer device (aka Galaxy NEXUS) that they introduce to the world? Your guess is as good as any, so post it in the comments below. Until then, I will be counting down the days to the Google event .

Via Fandroid