Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Smartphone Review

Verizon announced that it will launch the Galaxy Nexus today, December 15th and the device will sold for an unexpectedly-steep $299 alongside a new two-year contract. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is the first device running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, making its launch a fairly significant one for the short-term future of the OS and the Galaxy Nexus features a 4.65-inch 720p HD display, 1.2GHz processor, 32 GB of storage and a 1,850 mAh battery.

Verizon Wireless, Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) and Google announced Galaxy Nexus is available starting today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers can browse the Web, stream music and more at blazing speeds using the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network. Galaxy Nexus customers can enjoy access to the 4G LTE network in 190 markets covering over 200 million people across the United States, and fly through the Web with fast download speeds of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbps within the 4G LTE Mobile Broadband coverage area. Galaxy Nexus runs Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, which brings an entirely new look and feel to Android. Galaxy Nexus offers customers a redesigned user experience with improved multi-tasking, notifications, Near Field Communications (NFC) sharing with Android Beam and a full Web-browsing experience. The lock screen, home screen, phone app and everything in between have been rethought and redesigned to make Android simple, beautiful and useful. Galaxy Nexus also features an ultra-thin 9.47mm design with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED Contour Display to watch movies, view pictures and play games that come to life in 720p (1280 x 720) resolution.

Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) features:

• Redesigned user interface: software navigation buttons, a first for Android smartphones, and a dedicated recent apps button to make multi-tasking easy
• Face Unlock: use state-of-the-art facial recognition to unlock Galaxy Nexus
• Android Beam: quickly share Web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube videos with friends by simply tapping two compatible phones together
• Redesigned Camera: introduces panorama mode, 1080p video capture, zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, and effects such as silly faces and background replacement
• People Application: browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks
• Cloud Services: keep email, contacts, photos, music, browser bookmarks and other data synced to the cloud, available across multiple devices so customers never lose important data
• Google Music: upload up to 20,000 songs to the cloud, discover and buy new music from Android Market, and stream it instantly on Galaxy Nexus and from the Web for free
• Google+: Create a Google+ account right from the phone and check status updates, manage circles, quickly share updates and photos, video chat with up to ten friends with Mobile Hangouts, and chat with groups of friends with Google+ Messenger
• Support for Google Mobile Services: Gmail, Google Maps with 3D maps and free turn-by-turn navigation, Google Earth, Movie Studio, YouTube, syncing with Google Calendar, a redesigned Google+ app and access to more than 300,000 apps, millions of eBooks, thousands of movies to rent, and millions of songs available to download from Android Market

Additional features:

• Dual-core 1.2 GHz application processor and HTML5 Web browser: optimized dual-core processing with Android 4.0 combined with lightning fast 4G LTE connectivity for fast downloading of graphics, applications processing and Web browsing
• Mobile Hotspot capability: share 4G LTE or 3G connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices
• 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with zero-shutter lag for instant photo capturing, autofocus and LED flash with full 1080p recording
• Front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat
• • Textured soft-touch back cover: enhances the ergonomic feel and makes the phone slip-resistant
• Bluetooth 3.0 technology: support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, human interface device (HID) and object push for vCard and vCalendar
• 1 GB RAM and 32 GB on-board memory (actual formatted capacity will be less)

Pricing and data packages:

• Galaxy Nexus is available now in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement.
• Customers that purchase a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data.

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iLuv iSM524 ArtStation Pro, World's First Audio Docking Station For Samsung GALAXY Tablets Review

iLuv has typically made products such as speaker docks for iOS devices, such as for the iPad and the iPhone, now iLuv has announced what they’re claiming is the world’s first audio dock for Samsung Galaxy tablets. iLuv ArtStation Pro (iSM525) appears to have been a collaborative effort between both Samsung and iLuv and the audio dock will support both the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the Galaxy Tab 7 (version 2) and will come with a remote control that allows users skip through content. iLuv ArtStation Pro is expected to be made available some time later this month and it will be priced at $169.99.

iLuv Creative Technology, the premier provider of the most comprehensive line of accessories for the mobile lifestyle introduces the world's first and only audio docking station for Samsung GALAXY Tablets, the iSM524, ArtStation Pro. The iSM524 combines superior aesthetic design with cinematic sound quality to heighten your Samsung GALAXY Tab experience. Now you can transform your Samsung GALAXY Tablet into a home entertainment center with the iLuv ArtStation Pro Audio Dock. iLuv is the only mobile accessories innovator to deliver an audio docking system that unleashes the full potential of the Samsung GALAXY Tab and transforms the tablet into a home entertainment center that enables users to easily and comfortably enjoy music, movies, TV shows and more. The ArtStation Pro is the result of the Designed for Samsung Mobile strategic partnership between iLuv and Samsung, which brings to the market highly differentiated accessories solutions with unquestionable value for Samsung GALAXY mobile devices. "At iLuv, we continually strive to anticipate and deliver the most comprehensive range of feature-rich solutions for every facet of the mobile lifestyle," said Pia Chon, marketing director at iLuv. "We are proud of our partnership with Samsung, and of the fact that we are the first and only company to offer an audio dock for the GALAXY Tab series.The ArtStation Pro for GALAXY Tab is truly a testament to iLuv's design and engineering prowess and enhances the Samsung GALAXY Tab beautifully."

The ArtStation Pro (iSM524)complements the Samsung GALAXY Tablet line with a sleek design that can fit in with any décor-from a minimalist modern loft to a jewel-toned media room. Just place your tablet in the ArtStation Pro and luxuriate in the rich, bold jAura acoustics that every demanding consumer craves. The articulating arm rotates for portrait or landscape viewing options and allows tilt adjustment for maximum viewing comfort for GALAXY Tab 10.1/8.9. Additionally, the remote control allows users to skip through audio and video tracks and adjust the volume with ease. For added convenience, the compact remote stores magnetically against the back of the system. The ArtStation Pro (iSM524) will be available at select iLuv retailers in December and will have a street price (SRP) of $149.99. iSM524 is compatible with Samsung GALAXY Tab 7-inch (version 2), 7.7-inch, 8.9-inch and 10.1-inch.


Features:

• Experience unmatched audio fidelity that can only be iLuv’s patent-pending jAura® Sound technology
• Acoustically tuned 2-way speaker system provides crisp treble and tight bass
• Articulating arm rotates for portrait or landscape viewing options. The arm also allows tilt adjustment for maximum viewing comfort
• Charge and play your Samsung GALAXY Tab
• Easy to use controls or control with IR remote; skip through audio and video tracks and adjust the volume
• Never lose the remote, an integrated magnet stores remote in the back of the station
• 3.5mm auxiliary input

What is included:

• Rubber pads for GALAXY Tab 10.1
• AC Power Adapter
• Remote Control

Video: iLuv ArtStation Pro Unboxed

iLuv's ArtStation Pro for iPad, iPhone and iPod from Dave the Gadget Guy on Vimeo.

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