http://www.xda-developers.com/android/is-the-galaxy-nexus-still-a-nexus/

The great thing about a Nexus phone is the firmware comes directly from Google, it's a pure Google experience without any bloatware or carrier interference. Sadly it seems not all of the Galaxy Nexus phone are quite as pure as they should be.

First is the issue with Verizon. They are putting in some bloatware on their phones. Not much, but some. Also Verizon doesn't like Google Wallet (NFC payment system) because it competes agains ISIS that Verizon backs. So no Google Wallet on this phone either.

But it also seems that some Nexus phones include a firmware from Samsung rather than Google. These Samsung firmware appears on International versions of the phone and presumably the Verizon one too. What this means is that these phones will not be able to receive updates directly from Google, but will have to wait on Samsung for the updates instead. This is something Galaxy Nexus owners have already experienced first hand when they failed to receive an update from Google to fix their volume control issues.

A Google Android engineer said this on the other firmwares.

"yakjusc and yakjuxw are indeed the two Samsung-prepared builds I'm
aware of at the moment, but I'm discovering them as they get released.
I only have some visibility over the builds that are prepared by
Google, i.e. yakju. Everything else comes from Samsung and I don't
know what their schedules and release plans are.
I can't guarantee that flashing the yakju files that I posted would
work on a device that originally shipped with yakjuxw, as I don't have
access to such devices. The hardware is supposed to be close, but I
don't know for sure that it's close enough.
JBQ"

You can work around this issue by wiping the phone and flashing Google's firmware. Though I imagine some people want a Nexus phone because they think they'll never need to mess around with flashing firmwares.


It's been a difficult month as an Android fan. Galaxy Nexus volume bug, Verizon bloat, Samsung firmwares. Also ASUS Transformer wifi and battery issues. And both devices suffering from launch delays. Bah Humbug!

I have ZERO complaints with my Rezound. I knew the Nexus was going to be a cluster of fail when Verizon got its mits into it.

I was not a fan of the Galaxy Nexus hardware. The large size and 720p screen sounded great, however not having micro SD is a major issue for me. But I was going to overlook the lack of micro SD in favor of a pure Google device. And while it might still be about 90% pure, it now seems to not really be worth it for me.

I might just stick with my Galaxy S Vibrant a bit longer and see what shows up at CES.

Hmmm, I'm stuck on my original Droid and was really looking forward to this....

Not so much anymore. Damn.

 

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I like my HTC Incredible S.

 

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got the Bionic and very happy with it.

 

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My home phone, 2.4GHz handheld wireless, works great. The answering machine records all calls. Who needs a Nexus?!?!


I mean really, if someone needs to get ahold of me, they know where I am. If they dont, I really didnt need to talk to them anyway. - they can call the house and leave a message.

How often do you really pry the back off a phone and swap a mSD? I know I NEVER do.

Does the word "Upgrade" help at all?

 

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Unless I'm carting around 20 720p rips of movies, I don't see the need to surpass what came with my Rezound. I can appreciate wanting the option to get up to 64gb of storage, but be real here: how much stuff are you really carting around on your SD?

I may be in the minority of cell enthusiasts, but I never wanted for space with my old nexus s.