Smartphones
Google Nexus 4 preview
By Ross Catanzariti | PC World Australia | Published: 11:47, 01 November 2012
After what seemed like weeks of daily leaks and then a cancelled launch event due to Hurricane Sandy, Google has finally announced its latest Nexus Android phone, the Nexus 4. Manufactured by LG, the Google Nexus 4 features a 4.7in IPS screen, is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor and has an 8-megapixel camera with a 360 degree panorama feature.
While much had already been known about the Google Nexus 4 before the official announcement, there were conflicting reports about the design. The Nexus 4 is constructed from matte black plastic and is based on the design of LG's Optimus G smartphone. However, a distinctive highlight appears to be an etched panel of glass on the back that sparkles. It's definitely a unique look and helps the Nexus 4 immediately stand out among a sea of black slabs that have populated the market.
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Google's Nexus devices usually focus on software innovation, but the Nexus 4 certainly boasts impressive specifications. It's powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor that Google says is the fastest on the market, has 2GB RAM and comes with 8GB or 16GB of internal memory. In a move that may disappoint current Android users, the Nexus 4 lacks a microSD card slot so the on-board memory isn't expandable.
[Slideshow: Google Nexus 10 - Hands on with new tablet]
The Nexus 4 has a 4.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280×768 display. This gives it an impressive pixel density rating of 320ppi, only just behind the Apple iPhone 5 (326ppi) and ahead of both the HTC One X (312ppi) and the Samsung Galaxy S III (306ppi). Google says the screen is coated in Corning's latest Gorilla Glass 2.
The Nexus 4 also supports wireless charging out of the box, based on the Qi wireless charging standard. Google will sell a wireless charger called the Wireless Charging Orb as an optional accessory.
The Google Nexus 4 has a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera for video calls and a rear-facing 8-megapixel camera for photos and video capture. The highlight appears to be a 360 degree panorama mode that Google is calling photo sphere, allowing users to capture a scene in multiple directions including above and below. The photos can then be published to Google maps or shared through Google+, though the feature is a software one and will be available on any Android device running 4.2.
Speaking of Android 4.2, Google has added a number of new features to the software. Highlights include a new gesture typing feature on the keyboard that replicates Swype, the ability to add widgets to the lockscreen, expandable notifications that can be actioned, and a new quick settings menu that can be accessed by swiping down the notifications panel with two fingers instead of one. There's also been some enhancements to the Google Now personal assistant, which now uses your Gmail account as a data source for new cards.
The Google Nexus 4 will sell online through Google's Play Store from Tuesday 13 November, when orders will open. The 8GB model will sell for £239 and the 16GB model will retail for £279.
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Comments
. . said: ive only seen one review saying it has sd slot id be surprised if it didnt
beatonthedonis said: Is this definite Ive read conflicting reports
. . said: i dont care if they make 128gb version give me 2-4gb external sd ill worry about the rest
. . said: optimus G
. . said: and my business and a few more a few hundred or thousand or million
. . said: who needs 7-10 inch tablet if you can get 60 tv in a holster on your belt no brains man
. . said: optional charging orb ah fuck it
pedant said: Choice character more stupid- need I say more
Kookas said: So do those guys have unlimited data plans that dont cost 40 quid a month a la Full Monty
Buts said: so is your gripe with the phone or uk signal Sounds to me like your upset your not on orangetmobileee rather than having a phone with 32gb storage
Kookas said: Maybe for you Modern fancy-graphics games can take upwards of 2GB Also my music library is 65 GB and from what I can tell thats pretty small Thats at least 85GB used for me as a bare minimum Factor in the 3GB of the OS and you can see it is a problem I have a Galaxy Nexus 16GB at the moment and I only have 15GB free with absolutely no movies or anything - half goes to my music 13GB to pictures and video and 13 to apps even though I dont have any of the latest games on there just a few time killer type games like PhotonThe cloud isnt an option in a country where you dont have unlimited 4G such as my home the UK - in fact many of us Europeans have neither unlimited data nor LTE and data caps in the UK top out at 1GB
Kookas said: Give it four months a 32GB N4 is inevitable
Kookas said: Though that is A solution and probably what well just have to make do with if we want a fantastic phone like this it is a terrible solution Wheres the convergence I dont want to have to care for a USB stick and an OTG adapter Personally Im waiting it out to see if Googles going to pull a Nexus 7 on this thing
Jason Conort said: So can not wait to get this phone its beyond what I had hoped for
usman said: i love u google
jigsaw24 said: 16GB is more than enough for music and apps and games Why would you wanna watch movies on the phone get a 7-10 inch tablet
solai said: I was looking for a smart phone without contract or data plan and this is going to work for me I am mostly by a wifi and dont need data plan I am getting it
Dalbir_Singh said: Yeah but you need an adapter Theyre pretty cheap on eBay
beatonthedonis said: Well if limited storage is your beef and youre looking at the top end your choices are pretty much limited to the Galaxy S3 or LG Optimus 4x HD
calin said: yes i think so to google wil be devastated but i think the man has a logical choise he wants a stupider phone to match his caracter