Google has introduced its highly anticipated follow up to the Android-powered Nexus smartphone, the Nexus S, along with the latest version of the Android platform, Gingerbread.

 

Nexus S is the first device leading the Gingerbread (Android 2.3, not 3.0 as was first reported) charge, with the search giant developing the new smartphone along with Samsung, as opposed to HTC that co-developed the original Nexus.

 

This latest mobile sports a 4" “Contour Display” that, according to Google, has been designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and along the side of your face. It also boasts a 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor (based on the 45 nm ARM Cortex A8 architecture), front and rear facing cameras, 16 GB of internal memory, and NFC (near field communication) hardware that will enable users to read information from NFC tags. NFC is a fast, versatile short-range wireless technology that can be embedded in all kinds of everyday objects such as movie posters. Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt has also previously stated that this technology will allow the smartphone to act like a debit/credit card.

 

Android 2.3, codenamed Gingerbread, is the fastest version of Android thus far and also features numerous improvements over previous versions including user interface (UI) enhancements, NFC support, a new keyboard and text selection tool, Internet (VoIP) calling abilities, improved copy/paste functionality and gyroscope sensor support. Users will be able to type much easier on the device since the keyboard has been better spaced, while a number of behind the scenes improvements is aimed at improving Android’s gaming performance. 

 

The company revealed that after 16 December, American users will be able to purchase the Nexus S (unlocked or with a T-Mobile service plan) online and in-store from all Best Buy and Best Buy Mobile stores in the US. As of 20 December it will also be available at Carphone Warehouse and Best Buy retailers in the UK.

 

No local pricing and availability info has been released yet, but hopefully unlike the first Nexus local users will get the chance to experience the real Google phone sometime next year.