1 year, 5 months ago
When will the Nexus S be available in Germany and Spain?
It's been announced that the Nexus S smartphone will be available in the UK shortly. But when will it be available in the rest of Europe? We urgently need a mobile phone like that to do business on the go!
I'm not a technical boffin, but could I get the Nexus S from the US or the UK and run it in the rest of Europe, too? Can the mobile carriers support it?
I'm not a technical boffin, but could I get the Nexus S from the US or the UK and run it in the rest of Europe, too? Can the mobile carriers support it?
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M$1 Answer
The official blog and the official website announced, as you already (partially) said, that the Nexus S will be sold "initially through Best Buy stores in the U.S. and after December 20 at Carphone Warehouse stores in the UK". Nothing about Germany, Spain or other countries.
They also make clear that the Nexus S "will be sold unlocked and carrier-independent". It can't be clearer, actually: "Unlocked by default: Out of the box, Nexus S is unlocked, so it will work with any GSM carrier". It means that, yes, you can buy one in the UK and use it somewhere else, but...
http://menteskreativas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/google_nexus_S_android_gingerbread_2.3_03.jpg
You should ask at a local company if it's 100% compatible and all features will work (although there shouldn't be much trouble because it comes unlocked). If it weren't the case, and even without a SIM card, the manual says that:
"If your GSM phone doesn’t have a SIM card installed, you can’t connect to mobile
networks for voice and data services, but you can connect to a Wi-Fi network to sign
into your Google Account and to use all the features of your phone, except placing a
cell phone call." (page 16)
They also make clear that the Nexus S "will be sold unlocked and carrier-independent". It can't be clearer, actually: "Unlocked by default: Out of the box, Nexus S is unlocked, so it will work with any GSM carrier". It means that, yes, you can buy one in the UK and use it somewhere else, but...
You should ask at a local company if it's 100% compatible and all features will work (although there shouldn't be much trouble because it comes unlocked). If it weren't the case, and even without a SIM card, the manual says that:
"If your GSM phone doesn’t have a SIM card installed, you can’t connect to mobile
networks for voice and data services, but you can connect to a Wi-Fi network to sign
into your Google Account and to use all the features of your phone, except placing a
cell phone call." (page 16)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
How to connect to Wi-Fi networks is explained here:
http://www.google.com/support/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=168462
Looks very simple.
I don't know much about Wi-Fi technicalities either. In fact, I just learned that "Wi-Fi" is not a technical term or a protocol. More than anything else, it's an alliance.
1. How strong are Wi-Fi waves?
Like other radio wave transmissions, up to a certain point it depends on the transmitter and its antenna. According to Wikipedia (I usually don't rely on Wikipedia, but in this case I think the article is interesting and well explained), Wi-Fi is very limited:
"Wi-Fi networks have limited range. A typical wireless router using 802.11b or 802.11g with a stock antenna might have a range of 32 m (120 ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors. The IEEE 802.11n however, can exceed that range by more than two times.29 Range also varies with frequency band. Wi-Fi in the 2.4 GHz frequency block has slightly better range than Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz frequency block. Outdoor ranges - through use of directional antennas - can be improved with antennas located several kilometres or more from their base. In general, the maximum amount of power that a Wi-Fi device can transmit is limited by local regulations, such as FCC Part 1530 in USA"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi#Reach
Do they go around, over or through mountains?
No. Again, according to the citation: "A typical wireless router using 802.11b or 802.11g with a stock antenna might have a range of 32 m (120 ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors". So, there's a big difference between indoors and outdoors. Thick walls and metal structures in buildings, can obstruct radio waves. In the case of mountains I think the waves would just bounce.
I was looking for the Nexus' reach (I think I read somewhere that it was 100m), but couldn't find it. Maybe I'm mistaken. Sorry.
Hi, @pescina! Thanks ever so much for this answer, it is a great step forward! I don't need to make any cell phone calls from the Nexus S here in Spain. All I need to do is lock into my Google account and use Google Docs, Google Talk, Picasa etc. I know that there is Wi-Fi available somewhere here, but how do I connect to Wi-Fi? I think I have to study this more. In any case, I will study now the links provided by you and I thank you very much for it. If you have any more info on how I can get the Nexus S going here in Spain, I'd be most grateful! Have a great day!
Thanks for the Google Wi-Fi link, @pescina! Will study it right now! That is a real help! I shall be in town on Thursday and I've found a free Wi-Fi hotspot, apparently a good hotel, the only one in this place. Well, I shall try it! I've also looked at long range Wi-Fi antennas and stuff, but it's too much for my little brain. BUT, I will ask round and maybe I can get myself real Wi-Fi mobile! The question is, how strong are Wi-Fi waves? Do they go around, over or through mountains? I have to battle with everything here, it seems! Stand by! Might need you again towards the end of the week when I know more! Thanks so much, @pescina!