Discussions on the ICS Nexus device: Nexus Prime?

[Mopetar]

I'm sure that Verizon at least wants them to lock down the phone enough to make free tethering difficult for most people. That and they want to install their own junk to try and get people to use it instead of free alternatives from Google. I really can't see them getting a Nexus phone unless they can lock it down and put their own crap on it; and I can't see Google going along with that either.

 

[mrSHEiK124]

4.5"? Another Samsung? Seriously, hold a Nexus One alongside a Nexus S - one feels worth paying $599 for unlocked, the other does not. Knowing Google, the damn 850 MHz version will be 2-3 months late [you douchebags literally have to check a different box for the baseband on your Qualcomm/Samsung order form...or build pentaband]

F you Google. Do not want. Viva Nexus One. I need to find a battery.

 

[obidamnkenobi]

Hopefully any new nexus phone will be launched internationally at the same time, making an AT&T 3G model available, as long as you pay full price. Where the previous two only on T-mobile first, or also internationally at launch?

What carriers have it beyond that I don't really care about, but I really can't see Verizon selling an unlocked, unmolested phone on their network.

 

[s44]

4.0 - 4.3" is just fine. If they want a 4.5" phone, they should make separate models. Just like how HTC has a 3.7", 4.0", and 4.3" current generation phone.

4.5 = 4.3 + capacitive button space

There's nothing to stop you from using one of the Nexus phones on AT&T, but I think you'd be stuck with EDGE as the 3G frequencies are different. On the other hand, it's not like AT&T's 3G is terribly much better so it may not matter to some.

You can get an AT&T Nexus S at Best Buy. Also, AT&T 3G is super-fast... when the network's not choking.

 

[allies]

4.5"? Another Samsung? Seriously, hold a Nexus One alongside a Nexus S - one feels worth paying $599 for unlocked, the other does not. Knowing Google, the damn 850 MHz version will be 2-3 months late [you douchebags literally have to check a different box for the baseband on your Qualcomm/Samsung order form...or build pentaband]

F you Google. Do not want. Viva Nexus One. I need to find a battery.

Just because something is heavy doesn't mean it feels like quality. I've held both and I prefer the lightness of the S. It also won't dent. Polycarbonates are actually better for phones than metals in the durability department.

 

[Anubis]

TBH the only way i see VZW getting a true unlocked nexus device is if they only sell it for full price. i 100% doubt they will subsidize it

 

[Bateluer]

TBH the only way i see VZW getting a true unlocked nexus device is if they only sell it for full price. i 100% doubt they will subsidize it

That has been the trademark of all the Nexus devices, at least, for their first several months on the market.

 

[poofyhairguy]

TBH the only way i see VZW getting a true unlocked nexus device is if they only sell it for full price. i 100% doubt they will subsidize it

The way I understand it is that Verizon will get the Droid Prime, which is the Nexus Prime but with Verizon's cruft and maybe a few visual differences (same guts and screen). Then a separate Nexus Prime we be available for out of contract for AT&T and in contract for T-Mobile like usual.

 

[YoungGun21]

The way I understand it is that Verizon will get the Droid Prime, which is the Nexus Prime but with Verizon's cruft and maybe a few visual differences (same guts and screen). Then a separate Nexus Prime we be available for out of contract for AT&T and in contract for T-Mobile like usual.

This would be fine with me because then I get it cheaper. Also, having it be on multiple carriers would lead to a much bigger dev community, which is a huge plus.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

This would be fine with me because then I get it cheaper. Also, having it be on multiple carriers would lead to a much bigger dev community, which is a huge plus.

I'm pretty sure whatever Nexus phone gets released WILL have GSM compatibility. Nexus phones aren't exactly just for the US. Developers are worldwide. A lot of the best apps on Android are foreign developed (GoSMS, Launcher Pro, ADW)

 

[Fire&Blood]

I highly doubt it. The Nexus line has always been primarily targeted at developers. It's a chance for Google to include features that aren't quite yet in the mainstream, but will be important in the future, so it sure would be nice if you developer folks could get a head start on them.

It's also been the most unlocked line of Android phones. Now, what rhymes with 'horizon' and loves to sell phones loaded with craplications that you can't get rid of?

It's the hardware and it's design that sells to the mainstream consumer, ICS on the phone is a plus but very few consumers care about that. My point is that Prime is too hot for Verizon to pass on.

From Verizon's stand point, with the tiered plans in place, they can counter the "openness" of the phone by "forcing" you onto tethering plans if you do so (all carriers can detect this, T-Mobile is the only one not charging) which is pretty much the only "damage" rooted phones can do so they maintain their grip, business as usual.

It's also been the most unlocked line of Android phones. Now, what rhymes with 'horizon' and loves to sell phones loaded with craplications that you can't get rid of?

Yes, they do like their bloatware but has that stopped Verizon from getting the iphone, which they couldn't lay a finger/app on?

Again, it's all a matter of hot handsets, if you got one, like Apple does, then you can twist the carrier's arm a little.

As for exclusivity, it's either going to be temporary or other versions will be launched simultaneously.

The recent disaster in Japan has slowed down the tech industry, I think the Prime and the iphone 5 will set the bar higher again. Until the 1st quad core phone shows up.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

It's the hardware and it's design that sells to the mainstream consumer, ICS on the phone is a plus but very few consumers care about that. My point is that Prime is too hot for Verizon to pass on.

From Verizon's stand point, with the tiered plans in place, they can counter the "openness" of the phone by "forcing" you onto tethering plans if you do so (all carriers can detect this, T-Mobile is the only one not charging) which is pretty much the only "damage" rooted phones can do so they maintain their grip, business as usual.

Yes, they do like their bloatware but has that stopped Verizon from getting the iphone, which they couldn't lay a finger/app on?

Again, it's all a matter of hot handsets, if you got one, like Apple does, then you can twist the carrier's arm a little.

As for exclusivity, it's either going to be temporary or other versions will be launched simultaneously.

The recent disaster in Japan has slowed down the tech industry, I think the Prime and the iphone 5 will set the bar higher again. Until the 1st quad core phone shows up.

I've heard that rumor too. I haven't seen proof that carriers can actually detect this though.

 

[Fire&Blood]

I've heard that rumor too. I haven't seen proof that carriers can actually detect this though.

It's actually not a rumor, there have been confirmed cases on AT&T's network where subscribers where told to stop or to switch onto tethering plans. There have been several articles published about it, I know I read them on Engadget and elsewhere as well.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

It's actually not a rumor, there have been confirmed cases on AT&T's network where subscribers where told to stop or to switch onto tethering plans. There have been several articles published about it, I know I read them on Engadget and elsewhere as well.

I don't really follow AT&T much since I'm on VZW and think AT&T has horrible service. While what one does the other usually follows, I have not seen anything confirmed that VZW does it too.

 

[YoungGun21]

I don't really follow AT&T much since I'm on VZW and think AT&T has horrible service. While what one does the other usually follows, I have not seen anything confirmed that VZW does it too.

There was heavy speculation that they could, and I'm pretty sure some people who test for VZW confirmed the rumors. I know for my phone, Fascinate, there was a time when we had a leaked kernel, but couldn't really use it because it had the ability to detect tethering. To stop that, somehow they tweaked the kernel to never show that the phone was tethering.

love my devs <3 lol

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

There was heavy speculation that they could, and I'm pretty sure some people who test for VZW confirmed the rumors. I know for my phone, Fascinate, there was a time when we had a leaked kernel, but couldn't really use it because it had the ability to detect tethering. To stop that, somehow they tweaked the kernel to never show that the phone was tethering.

love my devs <3 lol

Since your network provider is the only pipe from your phone to the internet, I'm 100% sure that they can sniff all your packets and can tell everything you're doing. The difference is they don't check everyone, nor can they check everyone. I'm sure those people on AT&T that tether with their iPhones or other devices aren't getting flagged because they are under a certain limit.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Since your network provider is the only pipe from your phone to the internet, I'm 100&#37; sure that they can sniff all your packets and can tell everything you're doing. The difference is they don't check everyone, nor can they check everyone. I'm sure those people on AT&T that tether with their iPhones or other devices aren't getting flagged because they are under a certain limit.

That is apples and oranges from "detecting tethering." That is monitoring their network usage, and then placing more of a deep packet analyzer on that persons usage.

AFAIK, there is no flag that is set in the packet header that says "this packet is from a tethered connection." I'm not saying that the phone *couldn't* do that, just that it's pretty unlikely IMO. Running DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) is about the only way to tell the specifics of the packet, and DPI is rather resource intensive. It's extremely unlikely that it would be run on their entire network. However, what would not be unlikely is the carrier looks at people who use a lot of bandwidth comparatively. A person who uses 7-10 gb/month would raise their profile and be more likely to get monitored.

I would venture that they have a relatively small team that runs usage audits on their subscribers, and people who go over x amount (or highest x %) get watched. If they hit a second criteria of numerous months or a DPI type inspection made it seem likely they were tethering, then the customer gets sent a letter (or whatever their process is) saying they need to buy tethering from the carrier.

EDIT: Also, depending on what you are doing they may or may not be able to tell what you are doing. If you setup a VPN tunnel to your home network for example, all the data would be encrypted to your home where it would then get unencrypted and sent out so the carrier would have no idea what the specific packet contained. Now this would most likely tip the carrier off since a phone won't send much, if any, encrypted traffic.

 

[Fire&Blood]

Cost of tethering per contact duration:

AT&T $480

Sprint $720

Verizon $480


Not suggesting to break the TOS but some tethering apps claim to be able to spoof the data path on the network. I doubt that's effective and I am sure it's a contract violation, they will get you if they take a closer look and considering the fees listed above, they will look even harder now.

 

[Bateluer]

Stay on topic, ICS Nexus. Not tethering detection.

 

[Dulanic]

I really hope the rumors are true because I will SOOOO wait for this instead of getting a epic touch. I am guessing $249 contract price. Sounds like it will come out as a Samsung Galaxy Nexus except for Verizon as Verizon wants their branding on it. 1,280 &#215; 720 SAMOLED + 4.65" Screen... I am drooling. There is also a rumor it will be a metal case instead of plastic.

 

[Red Storm]

There is also a rumor it will be a metal case instead of plastic.

I sure hope not. I value comfort and usability over looks, plastic is much lighter and does not scratch as easy.

 

[Dulanic]

I sure hope not. I value comfort and usability over looks, plastic is much lighter and does not scratch as easy.

Too many people who cried how it "felt" cheap... even if I could drop it on the cement and it not have a scratch. But who knows that the truth will be. I am giving it a couple weeks for the details to come out. I was going to buy the Epic Touch this Friday off contract since it is only $499, but I think I will wait.

 

[Bateluer]

There is also a rumor it will be a metal case instead of plastic.

We can only hope. Metal is much tougher and sturdier than the cheap plastic Samsung's used in the past.

 

[2therock]

I am hearing that 11/17/2011 is the rumored release date around the Verizon offices. But its rumor so.........

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I am hearing that 11/17/2011 is the rumored release date around the Verizon offices. But its rumor so.........

Ugh, that's 2 months.

That just will make me want to upgrade one of my other lines to the Bionic and use it until something better comes along to upgrade my actual line to.