Samsung Galaxy Nexus Release Date - Android Beam vs. Siri: Which Is the Cooler Feature?
October has been a big month for unveilings with both Apple and the Samsung/Google team launching smartphones and operating systems.
Apple unveiled its iPhone 4S and iOS 5 on Oct. 4 at the "Let's Talk iPhone" media event in Cupertino, Calif.
Samsung and Google unveiled their Galaxy Nexus and Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich on Oct. 19 at the "Samsung Mobile Unpacked: Google Episode" media event in Hong Kong, China.
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Both the iOS 5 powered iPhone 4S and the Ice Cream Sandwich powered Galaxy Nexus have extremely impressive signature features.
The iPhone 4S has the artificial intelligence system, Siri, while the Galaxy Nexus has the phone-to-phone sharing mechanism Android Beam.
Siri works as a virtual personal assistant that follows spoken direction to complete tasks on the iPhone 4S, such as texting, emailing and retrieving information.
Pressing Siri's microphone icon and speaking whatever command the user wants prompts the personal assistant into action.
The Galaxy Nexus has Android Beam, a mechanism that allows Galaxy Nexus users to share content by simply touching their phones together.
The mechanism, powered through NFC, near field communication technology allows users to share any information that can be brought up on their smartphone.
Commentators agree that Siri is the most impressive spec on the iPhone 4S.
Many who were anticipating the iPhone 5 feel that the 4S is simply the iPhone 4 with a software update.
However, Siri has aided in propelling iPhone 4S sales. The smartphone has sold over 4 million handsets since its Oct. 14 release.
The Galaxy Nexus is expected to release sometime in November.
Thus far developers have given Android Beam a positive review as just one of many impressive specs on the Galaxy Nexus.
But Android Beam has been considered one of the most favored specs.
PhoneDog suggested that Android Beam will "set the standard for phone-to-phone content sharing."
Android Beam is currently one of the few programs that use NFC technology.
Commentators expect to see significant development of NFC, not only in Android powered phones, but also in upcoming hardware and software in general.
