Maxis Samsung Nexus S Launch

The successor to the Google Nexus One in form of the Nexus S, was launched by Maxis last week. Powered by the latest v2.3 version of Google’s Android OS – codenamed Gingerbread OS, the Nexus S is the fastest Android experience yet with its Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor. Together with media and other bloggers at Pavilion KL, I was able to get a first-hand experience of the latest iteration of Google’s “Pure Android” smartphone.

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Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Chief Operating Officer of Maxis Berhad, officiated the event. Speaking also at the launch of Nexus S, Mr. Yu Jai Sul, Managing Director, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn. Bhd. said, “Samsung and Google are working hand-in-hand with Maxis to make the best Android smartphone experience available to the Malaysian market. The Nexus S will give you both functionality and a stunning user-experience as it integrates Samsung’s world-class hardware and award-winning technology with exciting new features.”

Fellow blogger @joshuatly and GEW Mobile’s Rani Weemel were lucky draw winners, each winning a spanking new Nexus S. Boo! You can tell I wanted one. *jealous tantrum*.

Friends who were also there – @cerventus @yogaretnam @wackybecky @aprilyim @chapree @joshuatly @icednyior @scamboy @johnlim @amanfirdaus

First Impressions

Without any third party UI enhancements like Samsung’s TouchWIZ or HTC’ Sense, the Nexus S isn’t any different from my Nexus One, which is already running Gingerbread OS for weeks. What’s really different is the hardware. And this is where the Nexus S eats the Nexus One for breakfast. At first glance, the Nexus S looks and feels bigger. Which is a good thing (after being completely spoiled by the Desire HD). The first thing you’d notice is the brilliant 4″ (480×800) Super AMOLED display. Not really sure why it was designed to be contoured, but it’s very, very nice indeed. Build quality is typically Samsung – well-built if plasticky. Personally prefer HTC’s more premium and solid feel. The 1Ghz Hummingbird processor is fast and overall feels very snappy. I like the fact that the Nexus S comes standard with 16GB of memory, something the Nexus One seriously lacks. Plenty of other extras including Near Field Communication (NFC) built-in. I can’t wait to properly review one. For full tech specs, visit Google’s Nexus S page.

Watch the Maxis Nexus S launch video below:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Ta90J2cVo

View the gallery below

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Official Press Release

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

Kuala Lumpur, 18 March 2011

Maxis customers will be the first to enjoy the latest, revolutionary Android device, the Google Nexus S, also known as the “Google Phone”. Maxis Berhad (“Maxis”), Malaysia’s integrated communications service provider, today announced its exclusive rights to the smart phone, as it continues to lead in the Android market in Malaysia by providing the latest and widest choice of Android devices. The device is the first Android smart phone to feature the latest Android Operating System (“OS”) 2.3, also known as the Gingerbread OS.

Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke, Chief Operating Officer of Maxis Berhad said, “Maxis is focused on delighting our customers and enriching their lives with the latest, innovative devices to keep up with their ever-changing lifestyle needs and demands. We were the first communications provider to bring Malaysians the smartphone experience, allowing them to conveniently access the web for work and play from the palm of their hands. Today, Maxis is again the first to bring our customers the revolutionary Google Nexus S, the new jewel in our extensive range of Android devices. The market is becoming increasingly mobile; many of our consumers are part of a new generation of go-getter’s and jet-setters. Our leadership position enables us to forge partnerships with leading device manufacturers such as Samsung to ensure that Maxis customers experience the latest and most advanced devices first. Their experience is further enhanced by the fact that Maxis today has thewidest broadband footprint in the country, enabling them to enjoy the features of the smart device on seamless high-speed mobile data networks.”

Speaking at the launch of Nexus S, Mr. Yu Jai Sul, Managing Director, Samsung Malaysia Electronics Sdn. Bhd. said, “Samsung and Google are working hand-in-hand with Maxis to make the best Android smartphone experience available to the Malaysian market. The Nexus S will give you both functionality and a stunning user-experience as it integrates Samsung’s world-class hardware and award-winning technology with exciting new features.”

Maxis customers would be able to access popular Maxis applications such as Maxis Movies and Maxis Finder301 from this fastest Android phone to date. The device is available for purchase by Maxis customers with any data plan at affordable prices:

Choose any data plan from Maxis ( 500MB, 1.5GB or 3GB )
Contract Period	Device Price	Savings on retail price
12 months	RM 1,799	RM700
18 months	RM 1,699	RM800
24 months	RM 1,499	RM1000
Retail price	RM2,499	–

Maxis was the first to introduce the BlackBerry and iPhone to Malaysia, and has the widest range of Android devices in the market. The company presently offers Malaysia’s widest variety of smartphone devices, encompassing all major mobile operating systems. With an investment of RM1.44 billion in 2010, Maxis successfully modernised and solidified its network, including growing its network infrastructure to support data growth with a record number of base stations rolled out i.e. more than 1,250 3G sites and 1,400 HSPA sites, continuing with network quality enhancement, expanding into new geographical areas and augmenting 2G network. With its end-to-end smart network, Maxis provides the best user experience from simple voice usage to meeting the growing demand for data-intensive applications delivered across an exciting range of smart devices.

Maxis aspires to fulfill the dreams of our customers through the best that communications technology and human creativity can offer; making our customers lives better in ways that matter.

About the Google Nexus S

The new “Gingerbread” OS contains user interface improvements for simplicity and speed. It allows for faster and more intuitive text input as well as one touch word selection and copy or paste functions. It gives users improved power management, better control over applications and also provides for new ways of communicating and organizing materials on their mobile phone.

The Google Nexus S is sleek in appearance, with a 4″ contour display; this slim device featuring a more ergonomic design in terms of style and feel. The brilliant touch screen provides an unmatched viewing experience and is powered by a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor which produces rich 3D graphics as well as providing for faster upload and download times. Equipped with a 5 megapixel rear facing camera and camcorder as well as a VGA front facing camera, the Google Nexus S comes with 16GB of internal memory for data storage.

The powerful device also includes existing Android features such as portable WiFi as well as Near Field Communication (NFC) support, a feature that future proofs the device as it will enable users to use it for mobile payments as soon as the infrastructure is in place.

-End-