Although Verizon Wireless has delayed the launch of the Android 4.0 Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphones, code-named Ice Cream Sandwich, they have been mistakenly sold at Best Buy and Verizon retail stores, according to eWEEK.com. As a result, a few of these new generation devices have been quickly grabbed by some Android fanatics who have been eagerly waiting for Google’s new Android operating system driven mobile device, wrote eWEEK.
Concurrently, Digital Trends wrote on Tuesday that Costco has been telling its customers via the warehouse club’s coupon book that Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be on its shelves on Friday December 15th. As per the Digital Trends report, Costco will be selling Galaxy Nexus for $290 under a two year contract with Verizon.
According to Droid Life, one lucky Android admirer was able to get hold of Samsung Galaxy Nexus smartphone from a Verizon retail store, which got an early delivery because December 9 was supposed to be the launch date. However, media reports now indicate that the launch date has been further moved to December 15th. While another senior software engineer for CrowdFlower was able to buy one from Best Buy, which apparently sold the gadget unknowingly, wrote Droid Life.
As per the eWEEK.com report, the 4G LTE handsets, powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processors, were delayed because Verizon and Google are working out details on incorporating NFC based Google Wallet mobile-payment application on the new Samsung smartphone.
One of buyers told eWEEK.com, “the phone is incredibly fast on Verizon's 4G LTE network. I can't even really explain to you how much faster this phone feels than any AT&T phone I've ever touched. The iPhone 4S' browser feels like a dog in comparison when you're not on the Wi-Fi, and I'm convinced this is nearly all network time now."
Surprisingly, wrote eWEEK, the buyer also reported good battery life for the Galaxy Nexus despite the phone's blazing-fast processing speeds. This is a welcome relief for all of Verizon's phones because 4G LTE phones to date have been power mongers.
The latest indication is that the Samsung smartphone will go on sale Dec. 15 for $299.99, though Verizon has yet to confirm this date.
Meanwhile, Verizon spokesperson Jeffrey Nelson told eWEEK that Verizon is working with Google to install Google Wallet on the Galaxy Nexus. “Verizon is working to provide expanded services that will provide the best security and user experience in the market around mobile commerce,” Nelson told eWEEK.
Ashok Bindra is a veteran writer and editor with more than 25 years of editorial experience covering RF/wireless technologies, semiconductors and power electronics. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell 
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