Now here’s something none of us expected. This evening, Geek.com is reporting that Samsung and Google will be introducing a Galaxy S4 Google Edition. So what exactly is that? Well it’s basically the Galaxy S4 with stock Android. That’s every Android nerd/geek’s dream. So why did the two companies partner up for this device?
Well Samsung and Google have heard our cries for a stock Android device that’s not a Nexus. Currently, to do that you’d have to root and install CyanogenMod or some other AOSP-based ROM. But thanks to this project from Google and Samsung, it looks like you’ll be able to get a Galaxy S4 with a stable version of Stock Android.
The device will ship with T-Mobile bands, but right now we have no idea what kind of pricing to expect, or where it’ll be sold. I have a feeling it’ll be in the Play Store, and possibly T-Mobile stores. This is expected to ship sometime in June. But remember this will NOT be a Nexus device. It’ll be similar to the Motorola XOOM and be an AOSP device, most likely. Which means we should see updates for it shortly after the Nexus lineup.
It’s pretty surprising to see Samsung working on a Galaxy S4 Google Edition. It’s something they haven’t done before, aside from their 3 Nexus devices that they’ve developed for Google in the past few years. This device is said to have all the specs of the Galaxy S4, but bloat and Touchwiz free. So that means no Multi-window, no Air View, or any of that other good stuff.
How many of you are going to grab a Galaxy S4 Google Edition once it’s announced with pricing and availability? Let us know in the comments down below.