Give it the beans! Google has let slip that the next version of Android will indeed be called Jelly Bean -- and that it will make its first appearance on the new Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ phone. Even better, the Big G has gone and revealed the price of the new Nexus.
A listing for the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ showed up briefly on the Android app market, Google Play, before Google got wise and took it down -- but not before Droid-Life grabbed a screenshot. According to the one-line update, the Nexus phone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software on board will cost $400 in the US -- that's £255 in real money.
Whether that price will be the same in the UK is unconfirmed. As always, expect the price to be closer to the dollar sign swapped for a pound sign, or thereabouts.
It's been listed in the app, game and movie emporium because Google reportedly plans to sell the new Nexus directly from its online store. That was the plan for the first Nexus flagship phone, the Google Nexus One, wayyyy back in 2010. It didn't quite work. Now, though, Android is much more established, and as the flagship Android phone the new Galaxy Nexus is sure to demand attention.
The phone is listed as the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+, which tells us it will have data connection speeds a cut above 3G. There's no mention of 4G, though, which is good news for us, as 4G phones don't tend to make it across the pond.
A blurry photo of the Nexus also reveals a new coloured background of soft pink, yellow and green shapes, and a translucent search bar at the top of the screen. Beyond that, nothing's been given away about Jelly Bean, except that it's version 4.1 and not version 5 as expected.
The Galaxy Nexus and Jelly Bean are expected to be officially unveiled at Google's annual developer conference, Google I/O, in San Francisco next week. We're also expecting a new tablet, the Google Nexus 7 built by Asus. There may be other Nexus devices too, all packing Jelly Bean untainted by manufacturer- or network-added bits and bobs.
We'll be all over the new phone and new software, so keep it CNET for all the up-to-the-minute news, previews and first impressions.
How much would you pay for the Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ -- and how much do you think it'll really cost? Will Jelly Bean trump iOS 6 and Windows Phone 8? Can the new Nexus devices top the iPhone, HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S3, or the iPad and the Microsoft Surface? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Choccie Milk 22 June, 2012 09:31
As far as I can tell I think you may have got the wrong end of the stick. The Galaxy Nexus being referred to here is the current Galaxy Nexus and the page said. "Soon to be the first phone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean"
At least that's how other websites are reporting it.
Rich Trenholm 22 June, 2012 10:25
You could be right Choccie Milk - either way, at least we know Jelly Bean is finally kind of official. We'll find out the full details next week!
anonymous 22 June, 2012 10:48
I think the matter of trumping shouldn`t be applicable to this Gadget Wars. :) In the end, it comes down to what the customer wants and likes. I am a Windows Phone fan and I will wait for WP8. Of course, I am not a disrespectful fan, so I admit that both iPhone and cutting-edge Androids are excellent phones and probably "trump" WPs in a lot of stuff, but I don`t care. I`ve found everything I need and want packed into WP7 and WP8 is only going to make it better.
That being said, I am looking forward to seeing what Jelly Bean will bring to the market. By the looks of it, Ice Cream Sandwich is the first version of Android to run buttery smooth even on phones with "yesterday`s" specs. :)
Choccie Milk 22 June, 2012 11:11
@ Rich Trenholm
Yeah you're right it makes you wonder though depending on how incremental the update is whether they'll bother releasing a new Galaxy Nexus. Although I suppose some of the current Nexus' features are starting to look a bit dated for a flagship Google phone. Also there was that story that we'd be seeing 7 (ish I don't remember exactly) Nexus' this time.
I just hope that the update brings a few big new features rather than being a very small update. I suppose one of the reasons they won't want to change it massively will be because of the low uptake of ICS so it's easier for companies to quickly upgrade to Jelly Bean.
shauney3 22 June, 2012 12:17
"Google spills the jelly beans on new OS"
A better headline. Just saying... =)