Verizon Wireless to block Google Wallet in new phone

Verizon Wireless is blocking Google's new flagship phone from supporting Google's attempt to make the smartphone the credit card of the future.

In blocking the Google Wallet software from running on the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Verizon Wireless said that it was waiting to provide a wallet application until it can offer "the best security and user experience." Verizon and rivals AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA are part of a consortium called ISIS that is planning its own payment system.

Google confirmed that Verizon had asked it not to include the wallet function in the Galaxy Nexus phone, due out soon.

The new smartphone is the latest iteration of the Nexus line, which showcases new features and capabilities for phones running Google's Android software. In this case, the phone is the first to run a new version of Android, called "Ice Cream Sandwich."

The previous Nexus phone, sold by Sprint Nextel Corp., is the only phone yet to work with the Google Wallet application. That means the phone can be used to pay in some stores, by tapping it to payment terminals. Sprint is not part of ISIS.

Phone companies have generally had veto rights on the features sported by the phones they sell. Because of the clout Apple Inc. has gained by making the world's most popular smartphone, it has been able to dictate terms to them. Google doesn't have the same leverage.

Examinations by Wired and other publications reveal that the international version of the Galaxy Nexus has the "Near-Field Communications" chip necessary to run Google Wallet. It's unclear whether the U.S. version will be lacking the chip or whether it will simply be blocked from running the Wallet application. Samsung Electronics had no immediate comment.

Google and Verizon Wireless united in 2009 to push Android phones as the major alternative to the iPhone. Verizon Wireless' "Droid" advertising campaign set the tone, to the extent that many people still call all Android phones "Droids." The Google-Verizon Wireless relationship has cooled this year, as the carrier started selling the iPhone.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.

HTC Rezound Price, Release Date, Specs Compared

Taiwanese manufacturer HTC's answer to the iPhone 4S and Galaxy Nexus has finally been unveiled, in the form of the HTC Rezound. Powered by Google's open-source Android operating system, it sports top-tier specs and a distinctive textured case.

Price, release date, and carrier:
The HTC Rezound will be available from Verizon, starting on November 14. The $299 price tag (on a 2-year contract) will include a pair of Beats Audio earbuds, which are designed for deep bass and exceptional sound quality.

The Galaxy Nexus will release soon on Verizon, for the same price tag. Apple's iPhone 4S is already available on Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T for $199 on a 2-year contract.

Hardware and display:
The HTC Rezound has a thick chassis, with a bright red textured back. It has a full 720p HD display, comparable to the one on the Galaxy Nexus, but its screen is a bit smaller than the Nexus' at 4.3 inches across.

The iPhone 4S has a smaller, aluminum chassis, and its 3.5 inch Retina Display has a slightly lower resolution, but displays pixels so fine that they cannot be seen by the unaided eye.

Android operating system:
The HTC Rezound will be running last year's Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system on its November 14 launch. HTC has announced that the Rezound will be "Ice Cream Sandwich ready," but it will probably be upgraded to the Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android operating system in early 2012. It uses the latest version of the HTC Sense customizations, which feature large full-screen widgets and sleek black styling.

As Google and Samsung's flagship phone, the Galaxy Nexus will ship with Ice Cream Sandwich already installed, and feature limited carrier and manufacturer customization. Upgrade dates for other Android smartphones vary, and many low- to medium-range smartphones will not receive an upgrade at all.

The iPhone 4S features Apple's proprietary iOS 5 operating system, and most existing iPhones of earlier models have already received a free upgrade to the latest version.

Under the hood:
The Rezound is equipped with a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GBs of internal storage plus a 16 GB microSD card, and an 8 megapixel camera with the ability to record 1080p HD video. This places it in the top tier of smartphones, along with the Galaxy Nexus, and may allow it to post benchmark scores similar to the iPhone 4S'.

As a 4G LTE device with a large screen, though, it will probably have several hours' less battery life than the iPhone 4S does.

Droid RAZR, Galaxy Nexus, Rezound release dates slip out on Verizon

With Apple now setting a new standard following the release of the iPhone 4S, attention has shifted to the other smartphone-makers of the world and the imminent release of the latest generation of competing devices. Three of those phones now have potential release dates pinned to them, for Verizon at least, thanks to a leaked product listing obtained by Android Central.

Three noteworthy upcoming phones are listed on the sheet. Motorola fans will be pleased to note that the just-announced Droid RAZR is nearly upon us, with a Verizon release set for the coming week, on October 27, assuming the product listing is accurate.

The other two new and noteworthy phones on the list are both seemingly set to arrive on November 10. The HTC Rezound and Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the flagship handset for the launch of the Ice Cream Sandwich update for Android operating systems. All three phones will apparently be available for $299.99 with a contract. This still doesn’t qualify as official confirmation, but it ought to be enough to get Android fans stirring.

Google unveils Ice Cream Sandwich phone: Samsung Galaxy Nexus

South Korea's Samsung Electronics has unveiled its new smartphone that runs on Google's latest Android operating system, the latest weapon in its battle to topple Apple's iPhone.

The launch of the "Galaxy Nexus", which comes almost a week after the new iPhone 4S went on sale, was initially scheduled for October 11 but was delayed following the death of Apple chief Steve Jobs as a gesture of respect.

Samsung - the world's number two mobile phone maker - and Apple are also engaged in a series of patent lawsuits over the technology and design of smartphones and tablet computers.

"We are very proud of this milestone," Samsung's Mobile Communications Business president JK Shin said as the new phone was unveiled in Hong Kong.

The Galaxy Nexus is the first device to use the new Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" - a title that continues Google's tradition of naming its operating systems after desserts in alphabetical order.

The firms said the new handset offers easier and quicker Internet browsing, an improved camera and enhanced security using face recognition technology.

It also features "Android Beam", a function that allows content to be shared between two devices by simply touching them together.

The smartphone will be available in the United States, Europe and Asia from November, before being gradually rolled out to other markets.

The launch of the Galaxy Nexus come as Apple's iPhone 4S has already notched up sales of more than four million units since launching in seven countries on Friday.

The Apple handset will be available in 22 other countries, including much of Europe, by the end of October, and more than 70 countries by the end of 2011.

However, Samsung is seeking a ban of sales of the new iPhone in Japan, Australia, France and Italy, citing what it called patent infringements regarding mobile technology, part of an escalating legal saga between the two.

The legal battle over the $100 billion smartphone and tablet computer market began in April in the US when Apple accused Samsung of "slavishly" copying its market-leading iPhone and iPad.
Apple has since sought a ban on sales of Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones and Galaxy Tab in Germany, Australia and other countries, prompting Samsung to file counter-suits.

The Korean firm Samsung is pressing Apple hard in the lucrative smartphone business.