The Age Australia | February 8, 2011 | Asher Moses
The second Google-branded smartphone is about to hit Australia as analysts predict the search giant’s mobile platform will surpass iPhone sales in Australia within a few years.
The Google Nexus S, released in the US and Britain in December last year, will be sold in Australia “soon”, according to Vodafone which has clinched a global distribution deal. Those interested in buying one are being asked to register their interestr on Vodafone’s website.
Meanwhile, Sony Ericsson confirmed it would be launching its Android-based Xperia Play – dubbed the “PlayStation Phone” – on February 13. Support for Android is exploding with new phones soon to be launched by Motorola, Samsung, HTC, LG and Acer.
The Nexus S, manufactured by Samsung, is the successor to the Nexus One, which launched around the world in early 2010 but only reached Australia in small quantities in July last year.
The Nexus S is the first Android phone with a built-in near-field communication (NFC) chip, which opens up a raft of new applications such as the ability to pay for items by swiping your phone on a shop scanner. NFC, which has only been running in limited trials in Australia, has been reported as a feature of the next iPhone model.
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