The Nexus 5 is Official and Shipping Today with Android 4.4 KitKat
After months of rumors, speculation and leaks, Google’s hotly anticipated new phone, the Nexus 5, has been announced. And even more surprising than that is that you can actually buy one starting… well, right now.
The Nexus 5 will be the first product to ship with Google’s latest mobile Android operating system, Android 4.4, codenamed KitKat. Other related devices like the Nexus 4, 7, and 10 will receive access to 4.4 installs in “the coming weeks.” But more importantly, Google is designing KitKat in a way that’s primarily focused on defragmenting the Android audience – by making KitKat run on as many phones as possible. In fact, KitKat will even run on phones with memory capacities as low as 512MB, a great benefit to countries where memory-limited phones are in abundance.
The Nexus 5 will be available in two standard color palettes, black and white, and will be available in two LTE models, 16GB and 32GB. The more memory limited model will set you back $349, while the higher-end 32GB model will cost you $399.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ0XTJqFLIE
In terms of new core features, the Nexus 5 will include an HDR+ mode deisgned by Google, which takes multiple rapid shots from your camera and combines the best parts of each into one high-resolution photo. Google is also releasing the new homescreen launcher with this new device, which puts Google Search on all of your homescreen pages and lets you search by voice by simply stating “Ok, Google” and asking the Nexus what you’re after.
Here are the technical specs:
- Display: 4.95” 1920×1080 HD Display (445 ppi)
- CPU: 2.26 Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
- Front Camera: 1.3MP
- Rear Camera: 8.0MP with Optical Image Stabilization (read: a gyroscope built into the lens that tries to counteract any shaking)
- Storage: 16 GB or 32 GB internal storage
- GPU: Adreno 330 running at 450 Mhz
- RAM: 2GB
- WiFi:/strong> 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Battery: 2300mAh (w/ an estimated talk time of around 17 hours, or 8.5 hours of WiFi usage)
If you’re interested in ordering a Nexus 5, it’s available through AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, but not Verizon Wireless, who disappointingly opted out of supporting the device on their network. Scoop one up for yourself here.