Google calling!
Taking the lead into the 4G smartphone space, Sprint announced today that it would add the Samsung Nexus S 4G to its lineup.
Coming this spring, it will also take advantage of being the first 4G smartphone powered by Android 2.3 Gingerbread that boasts pure Google Voice integration.
Virtually identical to the current Nexus S, the Nexus S 4G is now promising 4G data speeds (WiMAX) of more than 10 Mbps; and upload speeds of 1 Mbps, although the average download speeds is normally around 3-6 Mbps.
Powered by a 1GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, the handset also offers an NFC chip, features a 5 megapixel rear-facing camera and camcorder and front-facing VGA camera. In addition, Nexus S 4G features a gyroscope sensor.
The phone will be the first to fully integrate Google Voice capabilities - an interesting move by Sprint, especially because Google Voice is a potential threat to the phone networks' current business model.
Through this, Google will allow Sprint users manage up to six different devices through one phone number, with intelligent call routing and number porting features. You can make the mobile number you've always used your Google Voice number, so it can ring any phone you want-or even your laptop.
"As part of our partnership with Google, our customers will appreciate having the easiest set-up experience of any wireless carrier for Google Voice across all of our CDMA phones, using their existing Sprint phone number," said Kevin McGinnis, VP of product and technology development at Sprint. "It's now easier than ever to truly live a mobile lifestyle with the ability to manage multiple devices through intelligent call routing and online controls using just one phone number - your existing Sprint number."
Talking to Cnet, Vincent Paquet, senior product manager for Google Voice, told Google and Sprint have been in talks for about a year. "We always felt that the ultimate simplicity would be to just use [Google Voice] with your mobile phone," Paquet said. However, he has refused to comment on Google's deals with other carriers.
The phone will be available exclusively from Sprint this spring for $199.99 with a new two-year service agreement or eligible upgrade.
