We’ve been bringing readers news about Android 4.1 Jelly Bean updates being pushed out to various devices and today we have news for Samsung Galaxy Note owners.

Thus, Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a quad core Samsung Exynos processor, especially elegant dimensions and Android OS 4.0.1 (ICS), upgradeable to Jelly Bean and completed with the TouchWiz UI.

Multi window was a showcase feature for the Note 2, allowing multiple apps to be used on a split screen at any time.

Reports from SamMobile indicate that a new firmware version, N7000XXLS3 is in testing at Samsung, and includes the Nature UX and multi window support, in addition to limited "air view" floating cursor support using the S Pen.

And today a video has surfaced from French YouTuber Jimmy Nodet, which seems to show an even newer ROM — N7000XXLS7 — in action.

The (admittedly shaky) footage shows the TouchWiz Nature UX running on an original Note, as well as fully functional multi window capabilities.

The video description claims this is an "official Android 4.1.2 update" for the international Galaxy Note.

That doesnt guarantee its legitimacy, but on the other hand the video doesnt match any custom ROM were familiar with.

Last month rumors suggested Samsung would also bring multi window to the international Galaxy S3, in an Android 4.1.2 update slated for December.

If you dont have the money for a tablet and smartphone, then you couldnt do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

Nevertheless, until the updated software out of Samsungs internal testing circles and available for download, Note owners would be advised not to get too excited.

Samsung’s $249.99 Galaxy Reverb is hard proof that smartphone options on prepaid carriers are getting better every day.

The device was launched with Android 2.3 “Gingerbread”, updates to Android 4.0.4 “Ice Cream Sandwich” , and will update to Android 4.1 “Jelly Bean”.

Of course, the Reverb’s plastic construction isn’t a showstopper compared with other Virgin Mobile options such as the stylish HTC One V.

Still, if you’re looking for a solid Android mobile on Virgin or an excuse to shred your two year contract and sign up with a prepaid carrier, the Samsung Galaxy Reverb is a great way to do it.

Samsung’s Galaxy Reverb is compact, but crafted from plastic (pictures) 1 2 of 8Scroll LeftScroll Right DesignMeasuring 4.8 inches tall by 2.5 inches wide by 0.45 inch thick, the Galaxy Reverb is small in stature and cut from the same mold as Samsung’s myriad other phones.

The name “Galaxy S” is used today for various models of Samsung phones that are different from the original Galaxy S, such as for the Galaxy S Blaze or Galaxy S Aviator.

It’s crafted from lightweight plastic that helps the Reverb tip the scales at a mere 4.5 ounces but lacks the premium polish of metal.

For example, the HTC One V (Virgin Mobile) is chiseled from a single block of aluminum lending it a luxurious feel.

Despite its metallic body, the One V manages to be a lighter 4 ounces as well.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy Reverb’s conservative black color scheme with faux silver trim around its gently curved edges gives the handset a handsome appearance.

Below the display sit three Android capacitive buttons for menu, home, and back represented by backlit icons.

(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET) A typical assortment of physical controls and ports surround the Reverb, including a power button and 3.5 mm headphone jack on top, a Micro USB port at the bottom edge, and a volume rocker on the left side.

The left edge also houses a microSD card slot hidden under a flap, while the Reverb’s right side features a dedicated shutter button, which fires up the camera app when pressed.

Around back is the 5 megapixel camera with LED flash plus a textured battery cover.

Underneath is the phone’s 1,700 mAh removable battery, something the HTC One V can’t match since its battery is embedded.

DisplayThe Samsung Galaxy Reverb’s 4 inch LCD screen (800×480 pixels) won’t bowl you over especially compared with the massive and much sharper HD (1,280×720 pixels) 4.7 inch (and larger) displays you find gracing cutting edge Androids.

Unfortunately Voice HD calls to two iPhone 5s, a Samsung Galaxy S III and a Nokia Lumia 800 (thanks @WP_DownUnder) didn’t sound much better on either end.

We do prefer the smaller display on the HTC One V (3.7 inch, 800×480 pixels), which creates warmer, if slightly oversaturated hues, and higher contrast.

The Reverb’s small screen is bright and has accurate colors but low contrast.

(Credit:Sarah Tew/CNET)Software and user interface Running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and not Google’s most recent Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software, the Samsung Galaxy Reverb offers a modern smartphone experience.

Pressing the power button brings up the lock screen, which displays a digital clock and the date at the top.

You can simply swipe your finger in any direction to unlock the phone, or touch one of three icons (dialer, browser, and camera), then swipe to jump directly to their corresponding function.

(Credit:Brian Bennett/CNET) There are five home screens to choose from and customize with app shortcuts and widgets.

By default, the Accuweather clock widget is front and center on the Reverb’s main home screen as is the Google search bar.

At the foot of each screen are shortcuts to leap to phone, contacts, messaging, browser, and apps as well.

(Credit:Brian Bennett/CNET) For typing there’s Samsung’s standard virtual keyboard, which has a decent amount of space between keys but is cramped due to the Reverb’s 4 inch screen.

Thankfully, we could still perform a long press on the period key to open a big list of popular symbols.

Features and apps As a full fledged Android smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Reverb features the standard assortment of robust Google services, including Gmail, Google+, and Navigation, plus the Play Store for downloading apps from a library of over 700,000 titles.

Play also provided access to digital books, movies, games, and music to purchase.

Unlike many handsets, we didn’t spot any third party software on the Galaxy Reverb, which is a blessing since they tend to slow down performance and not be removable.

Virgin Mobile has placed a couple software titles on the phone, though, such as Downloads for purchasing ringtones and wallpaper, and our Account to check your service status.

The unique “cellular” camera, which runs Google’s Android 4.1 (aka Jelly Bean) and has WiFi and either 3G or 4G connectivity, will be available from AT&T and use that companys cellular network.

Recent Samsung Galaxy smartphones – like the Galaxy S III and Note II – are being offered by all major US carriers.

The FCC reports from yesterday only stated 3G and 4G HSPA+, with no LTE on board, and today ATT has seemingly confirmed that.

The press release simply states 4G connected camera but doesnt mention 4G LTE anywhere.

If youre shooting full 1080p video or 16 megapixel images youd like to have 4G LTE to upload those pictures and videos, but we guess theyve decided against that route.

Its a pretty decent camera on its own, with a 16.3 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, a 21x (23 483mm equivalent) f/2.8 zoom lens, optical image stabilization, full 1080p HD, and a nearly 5 inch LCD touch screen on back.

Other specs include a 1280x720p HD 4.8 inch display, Samsungs quad core Exynos processor at 1 GHz, and of course we now have ATT 4G HSPA+ speeds on board.

ATT and Samsung didnt reveal full pricing or release dates or how youll be paying for that 4G data on the camera.

We have a feeling theyll add it to their shared data plans for $5 or $10 extra a month, but cant confirm that at this time.

The most unique thing about the Samsung Galaxy Camera though will be its ability to share images immediately on social networks with its wireless connectivity just like a smart phone.

Story TimelineSamsung trademark points to Android powered Galaxy CameraNikon Coolpix S800c Android smart camera gets official for $349Samsung Galaxy Camera: Hands on with the 16MP Android snapperSamsung Galaxy Camera hits the FCC with AT&T 3G bands .

The Samsung Galaxy Camera, if it delivers on what it promises, has the potential to be a game changer.

The Samsung Mobile Print Android app makes it easy to print to any current Samsung printer that offers Wi Fi Direct or is on a network that also includes a Wi Fi access point.

Samsung Mobile Print (for iPad) does a good job in letting your print from and s.

That’s why Samsung and other manufacturers offer their own manufacturer specific print apps.

Still, it does a decent job in comparison with such apps from other manufacturers.

We’re not convinced that scanning directly to our phone is an improvement over the scan and email command in most MFPs that lets you send scans as email attachments, but it’s certainly at least as useful as an alternative.

Google Docs’ mobile version lets you create, share and print Google Docs from your Android or iOS device.

It lets you print to any Samsung wireless or network connected printer or multifunction printer (including USB connected models) on the same LAN as your iPad, and scan from any Samsung MFP on the network.

For our tests, we installed version 1.03.08 of the app on an HTC Droid Incredible.

Visit m.google.com/mail from your phone, or download the application from Google Play or iTunes.

Samsung Mobile Print has a better range of scanning functions than either, though we didn’t experience the Samsung app’s memory issues (when printing or scanning) with them.

Infrastructure mode lets you connect to an access point on a Wi Fi network, and then print from any source that’s also connected to the network.

Users can also upload their favourite images from the camera when connected to an internet access point, or print them directly on printers compatible with PictBridge via Wireless LAN, such as the new SELPHY CP900.

With PrintJinni you can print from printers on the network you are connected to as well as Windows or Mac shared printers.

Once you set up a connection the first time, the phone or tablet will automatically reconnect whenever it’s in range of the printer, as long as you have Wi Fi turned on.

If your office printer is set up to receive Google Cloud Print requests, you can send the final project over Wi Fi directly to the printer and it will be waiting for you when you get to work.

In printing, as well as scanning, we occasionally got a Low Memory warning, after which the app would fail to perform the intended function.

Tap Print and you’ll see six icons, thankfully labeled with identifying text.

The two that you might expect are Gallery, for printing image files, and Documents, for printing an assortment of Microsoft Office documents (DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX) plus PDF and TXT files.

After installing Chrome, click on the browser toolbar’s wrench icon and drill down through the settings tab to Advanced Settings to the Google Cloud Print section.

Tap Gallery, for example, to find JPG files, or Documents to find document files.

In either case, after you pick a file, you’ll see a preview image, a Print button, and a button with the name of the currently selected printer.

To change print settings, including the printer to use if there’s more than one available, you tap the button with the printer name.

It will print photos at a range of paper sizes, in portrait or landscape orientation, in color or grayscale, in simplex (one sided) or duplex (two sided).

One option that’s missing is a setting for landscape versus portrait mode.

The Web Page, Google Docs, Facebook, and Twitter print options work essentially the same way as the Documents and Gallery choices, except for additional steps you need to take to navigate to the Web page or document you want to print.

Hewlett-Packard also announced the second generation of its free web service for AEC professionals, Hewlett-Packard Designjet ePrint & Share, which makes it easy to access and print large format documents using an iOS or Android tablet or smartphone, a laptop or ePrinter touch screen.

Note that if you’re connected to a Wi Fi network that’s connected to the Internet, the phone can take advantage of the network’s Internet connection.

It can connect to the Internet right out of the box over a Wi Fi network without having to run through a host computer; it registers itself directly with Google Cloud Print service, so it’s always available.

One other useful feature Mobile Print offers is the ability to print email messages (but not attachments) using the Android Share Via menu choice.

As is typical for dedicated photo printers, the menus are reasonably self explanatory, and they offer some basic editing features, including the ability to crop the image for example.

You can print documents shared from some other services such as Dropbox, but you have to first access the document in that service, select Open In and choose Samsung Mobile Print.

ScanningThe starting point for scanning is similar to the equivalent screen for printing but with just two icons, labeled Scan and our Documents.

Tapping Scan takes you to a screen that includes a preview area, Preview and Scan buttons, and a button with the MFP name.

As with printing, if you choose the button with the MFP name, you can choose a different MFP as well as change settings, including options for color or grayscale mode; JPEG, PNG, or PDF format; and low, normal, or high resolution (but without any hint about the actual resolution for each choice).

The simple way out here is using the webpage printing by typing in your link and later choosing preview and options for the print.

We had no trouble scanning from either the flatbed or the automatic document feeder on the CLX 4195FW.

However, we ran into a potentially annoying issue trying to view the scans.

If you pick the our Documents icon on the main Scan screen, you can pick from a list of scanned documents to view.

You can rotate the phone, of course, but then the phone flips the picture, so it’s upside down again.

The best workaround we found was to use the phone’s camera app, which lets you both view the scans and rotate them.

Printing and scanning were occasionally hobbled by memory issues, the Web browser experience could be improved, and better integration with cloud based services would be helpful.

The L100 appliance also allows IT departments to provide secure Wi Fi printing for guests from mobile devices outside the corporate network to printers inside the corporate firewall.

There is a a growing list of networked printers that will work with your Android phone or tablet or iPad and iPhone.

More Android App Reviews:   Samsung Mobile Print (for Android)   KoolSpan TrustCall   Hello Kitty Cafe (for Android)   Dolphin Browser HD 8.8.

Android opens up the door to hundreds of thousands of apps, many of which are designed to make photos pop, on our own screens and millions more around the world, while also delivering simple access to sharing tools like Android Beam, WiFi Direct and DLNA, along with familiar Bluetooth options.

We poked around a few of Samsung’s prototypes at IFA in Berlin, and while the camera had no shortage of bugs, one thing was quite clear: Jelly Bean is delicious on any 4.8 inch HD touchscreen, even one mounted to the back of a 16 megapixel superzoom.

Android has become omnipresent among our content consumption devices, but it could be a major win for creators in the future, too, bringing access to powerful image and video editing software.

On a professional scale, Android could streamline the newsgathering process among journalists in the field, letting them edit and transmit photos and videos immediately, or even create complete blog posts — directly from a camera — while Google’s OS on mirrorless cameras, like Samsung’s NX series, would pair similar tools with higher end, more versatile optics.

Based on its size alone, Samsung clearly isn’t targeting the entire gamut of photographers with its first Android model, but it’s still far more than a proof of concept — it’ll ship, but it will be expensive, and while it’s not likely to fit in your pocket, this camera is but the first in a long line of compacts to come.

Shortly after we caught wind of Android “consideration” within Samsung’s camera division, a report surfaced that implied a change in course for the Galaxy giant — the Korean company was ramping up mirrorless camera production at the cost of scaling back point and shoots, and the move appeared to represent a general shift away from compacts with a heavier focus on improving optics in smartphones.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera is the company’s latest answer to the great connected camera problem brought on by smartphones.

Now, the cause of those rumblings is quite clear: a touchscreen model that bundles mobile successes with full camera functionality — it wasn’t a smartphone to replace your point and shoot, but a powerful hybrid compact that capitalizes on each segment’s strengths in an attempt to return cameras to relevancy, and perhaps even bring them into the spotlight.

If the Galaxy Camera heads north of the crucial $500 threshold, it will surely flop.

Samsung has our attention, but our wallets won’t fling open until the camera’s official launch this fall, and once they do, there’s no telling to what degree.

As with all consumer electronics, price will trump functionality when it comes to creating demand, and if the Galaxy Camera heads north of the crucial $500 threshold, it will surely flop.

What Samsung, Sony and the rest of this industry need, however, is for this first iteration to be a triumphant success — there’s already plenty of buzz, sure, but if this is the future we want, our bank accounts need to do the talking.

It represents an open mind and willingness to embrace the inevitable within Japan’s darling CE corp, however, and with Samsung and Sony leading, Olympus, Panasonic and perhaps even Canon and Nikon will follow up with their own offerings.

There will be demand for basic, isolated entry level models for many years to come, especially in developing countries, where AA powered gadgets are still the norm and surfing the web means a 20 minute trek to an internet cafe, where browsing and social updates are billed by the minute.

In Europe, North America and parts of Asia, Galaxy Cameras will be an object of desire, and, for better or worse, Instragram feeds will explode with telephoto shots, proper exposures and sharp details, in massive, occasionally impossible to manage quantities.

A meaty spec list means a massive footprint, making accessories like shoulder straps or waist holsters all but mandatory.

Heavy, perhaps overwhelming social flows will prevail, but the setbacks won’t stop there.

Samsung opted to tie the camera to the Galaxy range ofhandsets to associate it with the Android platform, Cho said.

A meaty spec list means a massive footprint, making accessories like shoulder straps or waist holsters all but mandatory unless you don’t mind walking around with a bulging pocket.

Battery life has also yet to be proven, especially with features like automatic cloud backup enabled.

Perhaps more significant is the requirement to purchase prepaid SIMs for border crossings — a process so expensive and convoluted that this limitation seriously diminishes the convenience factor for frequent travelers.

And, above all, price is the foremost concern — with all these bells and whistles, Samsung could justify charging $699 for such a handset camera, but $399 would be far more palatable, if not aggressive.

Following earlier moves which saw Dropboxs cloud storage service integrated into devices like the big screened Galaxy Note 10.1, Galaxy S III, Galaxy tablets, and even some Sony Ericsson Android phones, for example, Dropbox is today is announcing integration with newer Samsung devices: the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Camera and the Galaxy Note II.

The upper echelon of the point and shoot segment will be led by cameras that can connect to the web from anywhere, while doubling as full fledged communication and manipulation devices — smartphones that enable everything but telephone calls.

Today, it’s dumb cameras that need to listen up — there’s a new Galaxy being formed, and it’s suiting up for war.

GSM Arena is reporting that Samsung will launch the “Galaxy Camera” this week at IFA, a device with a 16 megapixel and Android 4.0 on board.

The camera is rumored to come with a 16 megapixel sensor, and run on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

The site also believes it’ll come with the same 4.8 inch screen found on the Galaxy S III — we certainly hope the company doesn’t skimp out and use a panel like the one found on the newest 5.8 inch Galaxy Player.

It sounds like the camera may come with an integrated cellular connection, but it won’t be voice capable — it’ll act more like a tablet and also be available in a Wi Fi only version as well.

The first Android powered camera from Nikon is set to be the Coolpix S800, and run on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The big question after all the rumors was the Google Play Store, and Nikon has confirmed full support to all the Android apps.

Polaroid also unveiled an Android powered camera at the Consumer Electronics Show in January; but it has yet to get an official release date.

At CES in January, Polaroid demoed the SC1630 camera, which ran Android, had a comparatively modest 3X optical zoom lens and made phone calls.

The verdict in the Apple Samsung patent case came a little too late on Friday, West Coast time, for the think piece people to really comb through who was likely to benefit from the verdict.

Our own Ewan Spence makes the case: Apple walks away with a ruling that Samsung copied the iPhone.

Many of the products involved in the case, meanwhile, are relatively older Samsung devices rather than brand new flagship phones like the Galaxy S III .

Half of Apple’s win was about hardware design, something that can be changed over time (indeed, largely is already on newer models).

So, the idea is that manufacturers will look more kindly on Microsoft’s Windows Phone as it is entirely clear of such problems.

New Windows Phone devices are expected soon with the release of Windows Phone 8, but can it entice smartphone users away from Android, or iOS, for that matter.

If that’s true then it will be Google which is the ultimate loser: The biggest loser in the case might not be Samsung, but Google, the company some analysts say Apple was targeting all along, as the New York Times points out.

One prospective juror who Apple successfully fought toremove from the case was a Google engineer who told the court heworked in some capacity with patents covering technologies forthe search engine company’s YouTube unit, AdWords program andAndroid operating system.

Bill Cox, senior marketing director for the Windows Phone, quipped on Twitter: “Windows Phone is looking gooooood right now. Google doesn’t actually charge for Android, but it is still part of its strategy to make money from mobile: Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones run on Android, and ISI Group analysts viewed the verdict as a blow to Android as much as Samsung. If Android lose any ground in the mobile computing market, that would hurt Google, too. That’s because Google relies on Android to drive mobile traffic to its search engine and services to sell more advertising. Google also charges for certain Google services to be incorporated but as we’ve noted before, Google’s revenue from iOS currently outstrips that from Android for these. Yet Microsoft does face a problem: Some analysts are skeptical that Microsoft can produce a device that the mobile consumer will love. “Microsoft has been the beneficiary of this whole fight as the other non Android option,” said Ron Laurie, a Silicon Valley based specialist in IP and investment banking and co founder of Inflexion Point Strategy. “But safety (from lawsuits) by itself is not enough.

Depending on whether Apple is granted an injunction, those devices may need to be removed from the market.

Unlike Microsoft’s Windows CE and Google’s Android, Apple does not license iOS for installation on non Apple hardware.

The most recent update to the Android OS was Jelly Bean v4.1, which was announced in June 2012, and was released into the Android Open Source Project on July 9, 2012.

That might make an untampered Android OS more appealing to manufacturers (and make Google more likely to speak out in their defense should Cupertino come calling).

The lawsuits between Apple and Samsung were about much more than patents or money.

Given that Nokia is just about ready to go with models running the new Microsoft Windows, perhaps they’ll be the big marketplace winners.

With Android now dealt a major legal blow by Apple, the move looks like genius.

The company does not have to worry about Apple coming after it with as many patent claims and can clearly show that its products are radically different.

The verdict could lead to a ban on sales of popular Samsung products and further cements Apple’s dominance in the mobile device market.

Three patents relating to hardware design and these are not, at least as far as anyone has proven in court as yet, being violated by the new Samsung models.

License design patents from Apple, which will drive up their costs, or make phones that look radically different.

UCLA law professor Douglas Lichtman said the fixes could be as simple as offering software upgrades.

For example, one of the decisions in the case was that Samsung infringed Apple’s patent concerning screen icons.

The public perception is not going to be over certain models of older Samsung handsets, the exact patents and software methods used, or the differences between Samsung’s UI layer TouchWiz and Google’s default Android UI layer.

For the last year, every review of Windows Phone powered handsets has noted the radically different UI formerly known as Metro.

If you’re already paying Microsoft to build an Android phone, why not just build a Windows Phone.

It does take a little getting used to, but like any new toy once you get the basics Windows Phone is as fast and capable for the majority of smartphone users.

Ironically, Samsung, which already makes Windows Phone devices, may have just given Microsofts chances a much bigger boost than anything Nokia may be announcing Sept 5th.

Microsofts next line of Windows Phone 8 devices are expected for a fall release date alongside its new Windows 8 operating system.

Im hoping to see a few nokia devices in the windows phone 8 lineup.

It’s an event that’s sure to get coverage (even if it is in a rather busy period of announcements from companies that are trying to get in before Apple’s September 12th event).

Another subtle dig at Android, a strong selling point to consumers, and a key differentiator in the smartphone ecosystem.

While the appeals process for this case may go on for some time, there will be a chilling effect on other manufacturers, who will be watching the cost of licensing the patents on the ‘free’ Android OS with trepidation.

But will the manufacturers who just want a modern smartphone OS turn away from the uncertainty in Android.

In fact, they might want to consider ditching Android for Windows Phone.

They’ve already said Windows Phone 8 devices will be arriving before the end of 2012, could they now put a little more emphasis on the Windows Phone line.

The last thing Samsung will want to do is be left stranded in the courts holding their Android football while everyone else runs ahead to score with Windows Phone handsets.

Nokia are all in on the new platform, HTC could see it as a way to bypass Samsung’s dominance in Android, and both Huawei and ZTE are ready to leverage Microsoft’s OS.

Samsung was probably planning to do just enough to stay involved in Windows Phone at the start of this year, but we expect them to take a bit more interest in the platform, do a little bit more marketing of their new Windows Phone handsets, and to put more skin in the game to make sure they’re not left without a chair when the music stops.

Apple took the victory, Samsung lost in court, but the true winner looks to be Microsoft.

The Galaxy Nexus, first sold in December, isused to market all of Samsung’s phones and build brandawareness, Apple said.

(Credit:CNET)commentary If Google really wants theAndroid ecosystem to thrive, it must do a better job of passing the Nexus mantle around to the other handset makers.

The Nexus 7 is an Android tablet computer co developed by Google and Asus, the first tablet entry in the Google Nexus series of devices.

By contrast, Quinn said,Samsung sold $250 million of the Galaxy Nexus device in thefirst two quarters it was on the market.

It’s reportedly working on a successor Nexus phone with improved specifications.

Rather, the company would benefit, as would the entire Android community, from giving another handset manufacturer a shot at building one of its high profile flagship phones.

Having another strong player supporting Android can only be a good thing.

“we would think that it is in Google’s best interest to strengthen the Android ecosystem overall and spread the Nexus contracts around,” said Avi Greengart, who covers consumer tech products for Current Analysis.

The company gets the prestige and buzz of building Google’s latest flagship smartphone, and gets it on the radar of any hardcore Android fan, as well as the media.

Most importantly, the selection of a Nexus vendor is a direct acknowledgement of support by Google, giving notice that its chosen handset manufacturer is a major player in Android.

Samsung has built an impressive portfolio of Android products, and doesn’t really need that kind of support anymore.

It, alongside Apple, has managed to take more than its fair share of the handset industry’s profits.

It’s bad for consumers if only two companies dominate any business, with the only decision essentially a choice between an iPhone or Galaxy S.

With many of the handset vendors struggling, you face the risk of seeing your options dwindle.

While struggling to regain its momentum, HTC continues to make quality phones, as illustrated by the critically lauded One series.

Likewise, Sony could use its own catalyst after introducing a number of lackluster devices.

While not struggling, Chinese upstarts Huawei and ZTE, which have both heavily invested in Android, could see their profiles rise with a Nexus phone.

There’s also Motorola Mobility, which last had its shot with the first Android 3.0, or Honeycomb,tablet, although it wasn’t technically a Nexus device.

The Nexus 7 is a 7 inch tablet, primarily competing with similar devices such as the Kindle Fire.

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, and has seen a number of updates to its base operating system since its original release.

Despite the buzz that accompanies making a Nexus phone, it doesn’t necessarily equate to financial success.

While the hardcore community pleads for phones running a “stock” version of Android, they have never been huge blockbusters like the iPhone or Galaxy S III.

In fact, the Nexus One, the first Nexus device, which was made by HTC, was Google’s attempt to sell phones directly to consumers and was a complete commercial failure.

This was the third time that Google worked with a manufacturer to produce a phone, the first and second being the Google G1 and the Nexus One, both by HTC.

The follow up Nexus S did marginally well, and picked up carrier support from Sprint Nextel.

Samsung, the world’s largest maker of smartphones, isseeking to overturn an order to stop selling the Galaxy Nexus inthe US until a patent infringement case brought by Apple canbe held.

“Without details on Nexus volume sales, it’s hard to know how impactful the program actually is to each vendor,” Greengart said.

Rather than one of the major handset players, Google opted to go with Taiwanese vendor Asus, which made a name for itself in the tablet business with its unique and affordable line of Transformer tablets.

But Tech Thoughts.net believes Google will sell 3 million units this quarter and another 3 million to 5 million in the fourth quarter.

Asus has more experience with affordable tablets than many of the other traditional handset manufacturers, and Google was looking for something that was competitively priced.

That immediately barred Samsung, which hasn’t shown a desire to compete on the lower end in the tablet arena.

Perhaps Google’s experience with Asus will in turn open its eyes to some of the other Android vendors when it considers another Nexus phone down the line.

In the case of Sprint, it released the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G as its variant of the original Galaxy S II and at one point, the handset was rumored to be the first carrier branded handset released in US shores to get the Android 4.0 refresh.

Users of the Samsung Galaxy S II Epic Touch 4G from Sprint though went back to waiting for ICS to land.

The actual Android build coming to the device is Android 4.0.4 and is software versionIMM761.

Not only that, the handset was a fully stock, Google developer device which gave its users a taste of the pure Vanilla flavored version of Ice Cream Sandwich.

The manufacturer was able to keep its word and unleashed the update for the international version of the Samsung Galaxy S II back in February.

It was the only model that offered both the 4.52 inch screen and the dual core 1.2GHz Samsung Exynos processor.

The AT&T version of the phone was equipped with the same dual core 1.2GHz Exynos processor, but had a smaller 4.3 inch screen.

And the T Mobile variant of the phone had the same 4.52 inch screen as Sprint’s model, but was powered by a dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

If you are a Samsung Epic 4G Touch owner, did your unit get updated yet to Android 4.0.