Next Nexus Phone All But Announced, Seems To Be Coming Within a Few Weeks

Ever since Google kinda killed off the Nexus One there has been opportunity for Android users to get a high-powered phone with the stock version of the OS. With the imminent launch of Android 2.3 Gingerbread, that would be a big detriment to Google as only those existing Nexus One users and developers would get a chance to easily try the new version. There have, however, been several rumors of such a stock Android–equipped phone coming, and it seems Eric Schmidt may have tipped its release.

The phone is rumored to be the Nexus S. It’s “S” and not “Two” because, as the rumor goes, Samsung is developing the phone with a build similar to the company’s Galaxy S smartphones. At the Web 2.0 Summit Eric Schmidt just so happened to pull out a phone that looks just like what Engadget seems to have confirmed is the Galaxy S.

At the press conference Schmidt’s phone had a piece of tape over the manufacturers logo, but the phone’s appearance seems unmistakable. He would only refer to the phone as an “unannounced phone” from an “announced manufacturer,” that was running Gingerbread. The phone is also apparently touting NFC, which some believe may eventually make credit cards obsolete by allowing you to just pass your phone over a scanner to make a transaction, or perform other tasks such as opening hotel room doors.{Engadget}

While showing the phone Schmidt announced that Gingerbread would be released within a  few weeks {Engadget}. Hopefully the Nexus S will be accompanying the launch just as the Nexus One accompanied the launch of Android 2.1, and was the first to receive the 2.2 upgrade.