Nexus S Ice Cream Sandwich update on hold but will start again soon

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Nexus S Ice Cream Sandwich update on hold, Christmas Android Beaming Star Wars fight dreams dashed

If you are a Nexus S owner and were planning to use the NFC force this Christmas your hopes may have been dashed because Google has halted the Ice Cream Sandwich downloads for the time being. Well, you do still have NFC but not with some of the newer interfaces that Android Beam brings along for the ride in Ice Cream Sandwich. Over the weekend, Google started pumping out updates to GSM based Nexus S handsets that promised some sticky, sticky Ice Cream Sandwich goodness. However, some eager downloaders found that the download simply wouldn’t start installing. We are still hearing that some are able to download and install the Ice Cream Sandwich update although the majority haven’t seen ICS yet.

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Google Wallet on Verizon Galaxy Nexus root free so it is safe to use!

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Google Wallet on Verizon Galaxy Nexus root free so it is safe to use!

Over the weekend we let you know the clever devs over at XDA Developers had rooted and hacked Google Wallet on to the Verizon Galaxy Nexus. We also advised that Galaxy Nexus owners should hold off from hacking the Verizon Galaxy Nexus because rooting the device could expose some sensitive data that a thief could get hold of. Just a day later and XDA Developers has released a version of the Google Wallet APK that doesn’t require rooting the device, and so you can now install the NFC mobile wallet safely!

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GSM Nexus S gets Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade, get your android beam on!

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GSM Nexus S gets Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade get your android beam on!

On Friday, Google announced via its Android Twitter account that it is rolling out Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich to Nexus S owners. Well, GSM Nexus S owners anyway. There is no word yet on an Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade for the Nexus S 4G that is running on Sprint. We have heard about the update already hitting AT&T Nexus S phones OTA, but we are yet to hear of any others.

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Google Wallet already hacked to work on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

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Google Wallet already hacked to work on Verizon Galaxy Nexus

It has been a couple of days since the Galaxy Nexus has been launched on Verizon sans Google Wallet. Verizon is charging $299 for the latest Ice Cream Sandwich, NFC touting smartphone, and Amazon has already half priced it down to $149.99. The Free Press has written a letter to the FCC requesting that Verizon is investigated for not allowing Google Wallet on its network and for what the organization calls “blocking the app”. Well, the developers over at XDA-Developers have already hacked Google Wallet to work on the Galaxy Nexus on Verizon’s network. It’s been a busy week for the Galaxy Nexus. The news that the Galaxy Nexus can run Google Wallet, however, has been tempered by a report that some insecurities have been found in Google Wallet when running on a rooted NFC smartphone.

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Ice Cream Sandwich bug NFC tag NDEF formatting bug found

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Ice Cream Sandwich bug NFC tag NDEF formatting bug found

A bug has been found in Android Ice Cream Sandwich that means a non-pre-formatted NFC tag isn’t being recognizable as a NDEF Formattable tag for Mifare Classic 1k, Ultralight or Ultralight C tag. The problem isn’t affecting MifareClassic and MifareUltralight NFC tags. What this means is that NFC tags are not being recognized as being writable using the standard NDEF formatting, which could be an issue for folks trying to encode NFC tags using any Ice Cream Sandwich device.

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Who wants a half price Verizon Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone?

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Within the space of a few hours the Samsung Galaxy Nexus for Verizon has lost half of its purchase price

We knew the Samsung Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone wouldn’t last at the premium price of $299 for very long, but even we didn’t think its price would be cut in half within a few hours of launch on Verizon. It has though, and Amazon are currently retailing the Samsung Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for a very tempting $149.99. That gets you the Android Ice Cream Sandwich touting, Face Unlock biometric boasting, Android Beam slinging pure Google experience phone.

Source: Amazon

Via: BGR

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launched on Verizon finally

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launched on Verizon finally

Ah, what a relief to no longer have the need to speak about when Verizon will launch the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone. It’s done, it has happened and it’s sans Google Wallet. For us, the Galaxy Nexus specifically on Verizon has lost its luster. But if you still have a penchant for your own slice of Ice Cream Sandwich, you can head over to the Verizon Wireless website or pop into your local store. Do remember it’s nearly the holidays though and try not to give the Verizon retail staff members a hard time. It’s not their fault Verizon has acted like a complete…[enter your description here].

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Letter filed with FCC requesting Verizon investigation for blocking Google Wallet [Updated]

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Letter filed with FCC requesting Verizon investigation for blocking Google Wallet [Updated]

Yesterday, Free Press filed a letter with the FCC against Verizon urging the Feds to investigate the “blocking” of Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone. Well, it was bound to happen that a consumer protection group would tackle an Isis MNO about treating data in different ways and challenging the FCC to uphold their newly established powers to stop this from happening. The irony is that Verizon has been the strongest critic of net neutrality and it is now them who have been placed in the crosshairs of net neutrality organizers.

“Free Press believes that Verizon Wireless may be denying subscribers’ access to third-party mobile payment applications because it is part of a joint venture to develop its own mobile payment technology, called Isis,” the organization stated in their release.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launches 15th Dec? We’re so over this!

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone launches 15th Dec? We’re so over this!

Bored of hearing the next projected date of when the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone will hit Verizon? We feel you. It all seemed exciting and fun at the backend of October when Google made the announcement with Samsung, but the subject has since become one of torture. Will it have NFC? How much will it cost? What size is the display? When will Verizon release it? Why is Verizon fighting with Google over Google Wallet? When will it launch? When will it release? How much will it cost? When will Verizon finally let it loose to the market?

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II rocking NFC after custom ROM

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II rocking NFC after custom ROM

As you may well know the AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II has dormant NFC capabilities. They are only dormant because AT&T has had NFC locked off at the software level and that has frustrated many NFC fans in the States. All because of Isis, yada yada yada… We knew custom ROMs were available, but we had never thought to write a post about it until some of the UPM RFID team let us know they had managed to enable NFC in their Samsung Galaxy S II on AT&T. We still think it’s crazy that an NFC tag firm like UPM RFID had to go through installing a custom ROM in the first place to use an NFC smartphone, but that’s another discussion for another day. So, if you are one of the unfortunate souls who have an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II know that you can enable NFC on your phone by following some instructions and downloading a couple of pieces of software.

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Isis to use Gemalto as its TSM for its NFC mobile wallet

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Isis to use Gemalto as its TSM for its NFC mobile wallet

Okay everyone, brace for impact, we have an Isis post for you because the NFC joint venture made up from AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile has today announced it has picked Gemalto as their Trusted Service Manager. If you are new to these parts, a Trusted Service Manager, or TSM, is the service that manages and provisions secure data to the secure element in an NFC smartphone. That secure element can come in the form of an NFC SIM, an NFC microsSD card, or the preferred (and arguably more secure) embedded secure element. Mobile OS’ don’t have access to the secure element to write and change data, so third party services are used for the secure management of data and apps.

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Google Wallet experience is not great and needs improving

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Google Wallet experience is not great and needs improving

We are going to come straight out and say we are fans of Google Wallet. We think it’s great for consumers and wonderful for NFC. Having a brand name like Google behind NFC has started to educate consumers to what NFC can actually do and how much the nascent technology is set to change the way we interact with the physical and online world. Of course, the alternative being Isis helps add some sparkle to Google’s offering considering most of the US will be trapped in a closed Isis environment.

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Verizon furious at Google for Galaxy Nexus / Google Wallet statement [Exclusive]

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Verizon furious at Google for Galaxy Nexus / Google Wallet statement

As you can probably imagine we have been reaching out far and wide to get some more information about what actually is going on with Verizon and its distinct dislike of Google Wallet. Our search revealed that Verizon execs are “livid” with Google for supposedly making a statement about whether or not Verizon intends to allow Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus. We have reported for sometime how contentious the issue of Google Wallet has been between Google and Verizon and now Verizon’s top brass is said to be spitting chips about Google going public about Google Wallet.

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A question of ownership of the secure element for NFC mobile wallets

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A question of ownership of the secure element with regards to NFC mobile wallets

A big question surrounding the wallet wars is concentrated around who owns the secure element. The focus is misplaced, if that is the place where MNOs and service providers are focusing their efforts. Yesterday we posted about Verizon’s statements about the Galaxy Nexus where they obviously either made an error in their statement or were intentionally attempting to mislead the media about why Google Wallet would not be allowed on the Galaxy Nexus.

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Verizon taking a media beating over Google Wallet, plays coy

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Verizon taking a media beating over Google Wallet, plays coy about its intentions with regards to Isis

Well, it finally started – Verizon is being called to task about their position on Google Wallet and allowing consumers to use whichever services they want on their NFC smartphones. If you are a regular here at NFC Rumors, you will know we haven’t been keen about how Isis members have treated NFC and NFC services for consumers. However, the Galaxy Nexus has taken this industry known issue into the main gadget media today as consumers start to ask “can I use Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus?” The answer is no and Verizon are throwing mud in different directions to try and relieve themselves of any blame, and what they are saying is probably not true. Ah, PR departments. You have to love ‘em.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC phone set to hit Verizon for $199 on 8th December?

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone set to hit Verizon for $199 on 8th December?

When the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone is going to be released and for how much has been a mystery. However, recent leaks may have finally found the answers to those questions. The much anticipated NFC smartphone was caught on a flash ad that was released early by mistake, and it showed the Galaxy Nexus priced at $199.99 on a two year contract. That ad was seen on Android Police, Phandroid and Droid Forums. It was also reported by Engadget, which suggests it’s a little more definite than a simple anomaly. That same ad linked to a page that was unavailable and the URL and the title to that page contained a date of the 29th of November, which we think may be when the Ice Cream Sandwich NFC smartphone may be given its official release date.

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NFC turns on Xmas lights in Cambridge UK with celebrities help

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NFC turns on Xmas lights in Cambridge UK with celebrities help

Hit the UK, head east until you get to East Anglia then swoop up a little until you hit Cambridge – if you get there by 17.00 GMT on Sunday, you will see Christmas lights being switched on using an NFC smartphone and app. Not only that, but you will see the Christmas lights being turned on by one Sheila Ferguson from the Three Degrees. It’s not everyday you see that, right? It may not be everyday you want to see that, or if you are more tender years, you maybe saying “Who?”

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NFC robot project shows the future of toys

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NFC robot project shows the future of toys

We love the development community when it comes to innovative NFC based projects, and an NFC robot project by Erin the Robot Grrl could show the future of toys. The whole attraction of NFC is based on causality. If I put “this” close to “that” something happens. In that vein, the the robot hat project was born. The concept is that by placing different hats embedded with NFC tags on Erin’s BubbleBoy robot that it initiates different behaviors. We won’t spoil the cool video where you get to see the different interactions performed by BubbleBoy when he gets a new hat, but do give the video a look!

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Nokia N9 NFC smartphone comes to US after all for $649.99

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Nokia N9 NFC smartphone comes to US after all for $649.99 It was a blow when we learned that the Nokia N9 would give the US a miss. However, Amazon has the 16 GB black version NFC smartphone in stock for $649.99 off contract. Of course, third parties over at Amazon also have the 64GB [...]

Source: Amazon

Via: The Nokia Blog

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Galaxy Nexus coming to Canada December 8th on Bell and Virgin Mobile

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Galaxy Nexus coming to Canada December 8th on Bell and Virgin Mobile

Yep, that’s right – the Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone is hitting Canada on Bell and Virgin Mobile December 8th. You can pre-order the Galaxy Nexus today. Pre-ordering the highly anticipated Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone early ensures you are among the first to get your grubby mits on the NFC totting Ice Cream Sandwich device “as soon as it’s available” but that doesn’t mean you will have the device in your hands on launch day.

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Expansys has the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus up for pre-order $750

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Expansys has the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus up for pre-order $750

Expansys has the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone up for pre-order. So, if you are loving the thought of the Galaxy Nexus in your pocket, but need a GSM version that will work with AT&T or T-Mobile and you now don’t have to wait until Verizon’s exclusive comes to an end if you are willing to pony up $749.99. We don’t know when those pre-orders will be fulfilled as yet (and we think you must be hardcore to spend that much on an NFC smartphone), but Expansys will take your order if you want to be among the first to own a Galaxy Nexus GSM version in the States.

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for Verizon official with specs and videos

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Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone for Verizon gets official with specs and videos

Finally, more details about the Galaxy Nexus are becoming available with a specification sheet and a multitude of videos. Interestingly, the Verizon Galaxy Nexus departs slightly from the version announced in Hong Kong earlier this month. The changes are subtle and revolve around a larger battery, which has no doubt been included because LTE is known to suck you dry of juice quicker than 3G. These differences also are related to the CDMA versus the HSPA+ version that Google showed off.

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Galaxy Nexus speeds past the FCC with NFC

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Galaxy Nexus speeds past the FCC, getting ready to hit Verizon this month with NFC onboard The Galaxy Nexus NFC smartphone saga continues as the handset passes through the FCC without a firm release date. NFC is on board as is LTE, however, the docs point out that Verizon specifically asked for VoLTE (Voice over [...]

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BlackBerry Curve 9380 NFC smartphone trotted out by RIM

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BlackBerry Curve 9380 NFC smartphone announced

RIM wasn’t happy just outing its BlackBerry Bold 9790 today and also announced the BlackBerry Curve 9380 NFC smartphone to join the growing list of 9300 series handsets. In fact, aside from CDMA and GSM variants, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between these phones. So, did we need yet another BlackBerry Curve? Yep, we did and here’s why. Gone is the keyboard of the 9350, 9360 and 9370 and it’s replaced with a full size touch screen. Visually the BlackBerry Curve 9380 is more striking than the other Curves in the same line. It, of course, features NFC (Near Field Communication). Aesthetically, it takes styling cues from the Bold 9790 NFC smartphone that was also announced today. The BlackBerry Bold 9730 NFC smartphone is set to be more cost effective than its bigger Bold brothers and yet looks just as styled and capable. On the inside, the specifications aren’t terribly different to the other Curve NFC smartphone models.

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Samsung Galaxy S II NFC phone $50 at Radio Shack on Black Friday

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AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II NFC phone $50 at Radio Shack on Black Friday Radio Shack have published their Black Friday deals and they include the original Samsung Galaxy S II NFC phone for $50 with a new two year contract or an upgrade. So, if you have been longing for a Samsung Galaxy S [...]

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