The current model of Google's Nexus S smart phone
Google on Monday unveiled an updated version of the Android mobile operating system along with a new smart phone running it.
The new platform, which is the 2.3 version of Google's Android mobile operating system, is called Gingerbread. "Gingerbread is the fastest version of Android yet," the company said in its official blog. "It delivers a number of improvements, such as user interface refinements, NFC support, a new keyboard and text selection tool, Internet (VoIP/SIP) calling, improved copy/paste functionality and gyroscope sensor support."
The new device Nexus S is manufactured by Samsung electronics. It features a 1GHz processor, front and rear cameras. 16Gb of internal memory and a 4-inch Contour Display which Google says is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of user's hand and along the side of his or her face.
Nexus S also has a built-in NFC (Neat Field Communication) hardware that lets the user to read information from NFC tags. NFC is a wireless standard which enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 centimeter distance. Consumers can make a payment by waving the phone over an electronic reader or pull information from NFC tags that can be embedded in daily objects.
Last month, Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt highlighted this feature at the Web 2.0 Summit held in San Francisco, saying that "this could replace your credit card."
The new smart phone will be available unlocked or with a T- Mobile plan online and in-store at Best Buy in the U.S. after Dec. 16. It can be purchased in British retailers after Dec. 20.
