Google Nexus, what is it exactly

[JerryMungo]

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[TJ99]

What they have in common is they run the stock version of Android and are updated to new versions as soon as they become available. They also have unlocked bootloaders as far as I know.

 

[sajunky]

Tell us when you win one.

 

[Kwerty]

Stock? Meaning originally Google developed? I assume this makes them highly compatible software wise? that would be a big + in my books.

Well. All Android is originally Google developed

The difference is most manufacturers put skins on their phones to differentiate them from other competitors. Nexus devices get stock Android, plus they get the updates as soon as they come out and devices are supported for much longer.

For example I have a Galaxy S. It stopped being upgraded at Gingerbread (2.3). There is a Nexus variant called the Samsung Nexus S which is already on Jelly Bean (4.1).

Samsung said they couldn't upgrade the Galaxy S because it couldn't run Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) without Samsung's crappy TouchWiz skin.

 

[Hamster]

What they have in common is they run the stock version of Android and are updated to new versions as soon as they become available. They also have unlocked bootloaders as far as I know.

Did not know this.

 

[JerryMungo]

The difference is most manufacturers put skins on their phones to differentiate them from other competitors. Nexus devices get stock Android, plus they get the updates as soon as they come out and devices are supported for much longer.

For example I have a Galaxy S. It stopped being upgraded at Gingerbread (2.3). There is a Nexus variant called the Samsung Nexus S which is already on Jelly Bean (4.1).

Samsung said they couldn't upgrade the Galaxy S because it couldn't run Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) without Samsung's crappy TouchWiz skin.

Skins? Thats just fluff surely, why would it prevent an upgrade? If its all original Google, why the issues with upgrading?

 

[TJ99]

Stock? Meaning originally Google developed? I assume this makes them highly compatible software wise? that would be a big + in my books.

They use the AOSP (official Google version) of Android. But all the Android versions are compatible with all software anyways (as long as you have the minimum required version) so I don't understand the question.

 

[TJ99]

Skins? Thats just fluff surely, why would it prevent an upgrade? If its all original Google, why the issues with upgrading?

Because we have to wait for manufacturers to apply their junk each time a new version is released

 

[Pseudonym]

When Google releases a new OS (4.1 Jelly Bean most recently) their Nexus devices get the update, free of any manufacturer skins, within days, regardless of the manufacturer. Other manufacturers' devices, like my Galaxy SII for instance, get the updates months later if at all (as per vengence's example) and they are full of bloatware and generally poor looking skins. And the skins are certainly not fluff stuff, a stock ROM will be in the region of ~700MB were custom roms (using Google's AOSP) are ~150MB. I assume manufacturers would also rather not support older devices as it stops people buying new devices.

 

[TheMightyP]

they are full of bloatware and generally poor looking skins.

I liked HTC Sense and eventually went back to it.

The benefit of an 'official' skinned appearance is stability as opposed to a custom rom. Of course stock Android couldn't be more stable either .

 

[Maverick Jester]

So my guess is because they use the stock launcher / keyboard / other core components, they can all benefit from updates as Google pushes them out. I wonder if there are some hardware design feature guidelines they have to follow to ensure futureproof upgrade wise...

Not exactly. The Nexus devices use the original versions of Android. Those from other manufacturers have tweaked / modified version of the Android source base, deeper than just launchers and keyboards.

Given that even the Nexus S can run the latest version of Android, I think it is the software that keeps it future proof, whereas the other variants / skins are not.

 

[crudler]

isnt the nexus manufactured by Samsung under license to google any ways?

 

[Speedster]

isnt the nexus manufactured by Samsung under license to google any ways?

Can you read?

Google Nexus, a line of Android Devices produced, in part, by Google:
Nexus One smartphone, manufactured by HTC, released January 2010
Nexus S smartphone, manufactured by Samsung, released December 2010
Galaxy Nexus smartphone, manufactured by Samsung, released in November 2011
Nexus 7 tablet, manufactured by Asus
Nexus Q, a media-streaming entertainment device

 

[TJ99]

isnt the nexus manufactured by Samsung under license to google any ways?

The new ones, yes. The original Nexus was made by htc and was basically the same hardware as the htc Desire. As far as I know, the next one will be made by Motorola, since Motorola is now owned by Google.

That's the phones of course, the tablet (Nexus 7) is made by Asus.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Ok, so in essence, more than just a 'skin' but a bit like a different shell. A bit like rebranding Windows with an alternative to Explorer as the main shell.

I think a more accurate description would be to compare Android with the different vendor add ons to the various Linux distros... makes it easier to comprehend I think.

 

[MarchantV]

Well. All Android is originally Google developed

The difference is most manufacturers put skins on their phones to differentiate them from other competitors. Nexus devices get stock Android, plus they get the updates as soon as they come out and devices are supported for much longer.

For example I have a Galaxy S. It stopped being upgraded at Gingerbread (2.3). There is a Nexus variant called the Samsung Nexus S which is already on Jelly Bean (4.1).

Samsung said they couldn't upgrade the Galaxy S because it couldn't run Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) without Samsung's crappy TouchWiz skin.

+1 Best explanation

 

[MarchantV]

The new ones, yes. The original Nexus was made by htc and was basically the same hardware as the htc Desire. As far as I know, the next one will be made by Motorola, since Motorola is now owned by Google.

That's the phones of course, the tablet (Nexus 7) is made by Asus.

I think it maybe will be between the Motorola and LG. There are rumors going around that they (LG) are building a monster of a smartphone.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/25/lgs-optimus-g-caught-on-camera/

 

[crudler]

Can you read?

apparently not. hahahaha
*self fail*

 

[ladysadiha]

Whoever owns a Nexus do you like it? Or would go for something else if you had the choice?

 

[D4N]

Whoever owns a Nexus do you like it? Or would go for something else if you had the choice?

I have a 2013 Nexus 7 and it's awesome. I like the fact that it doesn't have a ton of useless apps that other tablets tend to ship with.