Google Nexus S announced with Gingerbread Android 2.3 OS

After months of speculation Google has finally officially announced the Nexus S, running an updated version of the Android operating system, known as ‘Gingerbread.’

The new handset is manufactured by Samsung and is based on their hugely successful Galaxy S phone, packing a large, curved, 4-inch Super AMOLED display which is promises “1.5x more luminance than a traditional LCD display.”

Supercharged graphics

Inside, there’s Samsung’s Hummingbird 1GHz processor which comes with a discrete GPU providing extra oomph for games, and there’s 16GB of internal memory on board.

There’s also a front facing video camera for video calling, and a 5MP autofocus camera with LED flash packed into a body 10.9mm thick and weighing 129g.

The new Gingerbread OS offers lots of tweaks and feature upgrades, and sports a new black-themed user interface, with an improved onscreen keyboard and  built-in support for VoIP and near field communication.

Andy Rubin, vice president of engineering at Google was feeling the love for the new phone:

Innovation is at the heart of Google, and Nexus S allows us to drive even greater innovation for the benefit of consumers, the Android ecosystem of partners, and the mobile industry.

“This device combines hardware innovation by one of our partners, Samsung, with innovations to the Android platform, to raise the bar on what’s possible when it comes to creating a powerful mobile user experience.

UK release

Google is promising a ‘limited’ release of the Nexus S at the Carphone Warehouse, with a pre-Christmas UK release date.

The phone is available for free starting on £35/month  for a two year deal, or the well heeled can shell out a hefty £549.95 to bag the phone SIM free.

Old vs New
How does the new Nexus compare with the original?
Compare the Google Nexus S vs the Nexus One here.

[Via]