Nexus S Update News: Nexus S & Nexus One Updated to Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread + NFC

NexusSnew.JPGGoogle is sending out an OTA (Over-the-Air) update to Android OS 2.3.3 for the Samsung Galaxy S, Samsung Nexus S and Nexus One.

The update removes the ability to merge Facebook directory data with the smartphone contacts.  Facebook contact data will continue to appear within the Facebook app.

The update was announced on the Nexus twitter page as “Gingerbread
(Android 2.3.3) update now rolling out to Nexus S and Nexus One.  Be
patient, may take a few weeks for OTA to complete.”
The update adds NFC (Near Field Communication) support and adds read/write NFC APIs (application programing interface).  Features of the update include new APIs for Bluetooth, graphics, media framework, and speech recognition.

Because the Nexus One does not have NFC hardware, NFC will not be supported on it.

Please be sure that your Nexus S or Nexus One is fully charged when you download the update.  You will not be able to make emergency phone calls during the update process.

NFC is an emerging technology that promises new ways to use smartphones, including ticketing, advertising, ratings, and even data
exchange with other smartphones.

Reports suggest that there will be other NFC uses, such as mobile secure payments and wireless keys to open doors.

The best thing about the Nexus S is that it has been updated to the newest version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread with loads of new features
The other really nice feature of the Nexus S is that updates are
released much sooner because it is “pure Google.”

Read Top Ten Best Nexus S and Android 2.3 Gingerbread Tips and Tricks.

Many of the Samsung Galaxy S phones were named in Wireless and Mobile News’ Review of Reviews Top Ten Best Android an’ Droid Phones Now an’ Later, as well as the Top Ten Best Smartphones.