Forget about Snuffleupagus, aka the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and let the dogfooding begin!
Turns out the fastest route to Ice Cream Sandwhich, the much anticipated 4.0 version of Google’s Android mobile OS, could be on lastgen hardware. Rumor has it that Google employees are testing ICS on Nexus S, the 2010 Android phone built by Samsung and precursor to the soon (soon?!) to be released Nexus.
This is somewhat interesting news for Nexus S owners under contract. Could it be true? Could you soon be running ICS on your phone?
According to InformationWeek:
“Just got Ice-cream Sandwich update on my Nexus S and it’s looking great,” wrote Saoud on his Google+ page (since pulled). The update was delivered over the air, according to Saoud. “It’s an early [build] for Google employees so we test it further so it’s even more awesome when you guys get it,” Saoud added. Google likes to call this internal testing “dogfooding,” a reference to eating its own dogfood.
For those coming off 2-year old contracts, mostly from the original Motorola Droid (November 2009), it’s another hilariously frustrating (yet entertaining) episode in the will the Nexus ever launch mini-series.
Adding fuel to the fire for us US customers is word that those in the Great White North will get the most magical of phones on December 7, a day earlier than planned. Woe is us Americans, eh.
In other Nexus-related news this morning, there’s an interesting non-fanboy (fanboy) “confession” on Business Insider: Even If The Samsung Galaxy Nexus Is Better, I’m Still Buying An iPhone. Well, by that title alone, I’m assuming this is a completely objective, rational narrative. Turns out, though, Henry is feeling entrapped by the Apple ecosystem. Ode to first world problems.
Meanwhile, for those that are following my upgrade dilema, here’s how it went down:
- Jumped on Android (never to look back) on Nov 2009 with OG Moto Droid on Verizon (upgraded from the solid BlackBerry 8700c on Cingular).
- Flogged the crap out of Droid for two years (even taking it to the Baja desert) – and it performed admirably; I used it for Google Nav, Gmail, Calendar, social networking, Google Voice (a must have) and Google Music among other apps- sometimes I’d even have several running at the same time in the car with nary a hitch (albeit some slowness).
- As Nov 2011, us pioneers knew the biggest upgrade cycle in Android’s history was upon us.
- All the manufacturers brought out their biggest and bestest handsets, wooing a massive customer base for their upgrade dollars.
- The lineup looked like this: HTC Rezound, Motorola Droid RAZR (talk about pulling out your greatest hits), Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and most recently from AT&T, the LG Nitro HD.
- I wrote about the Android upgrade dilemma.
- Eventually, Nexus came out on top by virtue of the fact that it ships with ICS and has softkeys; RAZR was pretty sweet too (thin) but had issues (battery, heat); Rezound was respectable (screen) but was not the best design (clunky) and the Nitro is also a well rounded offering but requires a jump to AT&T, a move I’m reluctant to make, being grandfathered on an unlimited Verizon plan.
- But… when, praytel, will Nexus ship? I lamented the endless wait (and ultimate boredom, requiring me to run to Stark Insider for repeated bouts of self-help.
- My latest thinking: If Nexus won’t ship, or ends up shipping close to the end of the year, why not (a) pickup a RAZR and be done with it (and look forward to ICS in a few months) or (b) wait until Jan/Feb (30?) 2012 when no doubt a uber-uber Android Nexus II will hit the market with all the ICS bugs squashed and plenty of whiz-bang G6 or (c) check in to Android rehab. (Note: iPhone 4S is not an option mes amis! Do not yield to black and white temptation!)