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Last we heard of China Unicom they were busy getting all tied up in the China vs. Google debacle and were seen removing Google Search from their Android handsets. But just like AT&T, China Unicom has made it very clear that they intend to advance in the Android arena with or without the use of Google search and Google apps on their phones. The clarity comes with action – China Unicom just announced that the Samsung Galaxy i6500U (AKA Samsung Saturn) will soon be available nationwide.
The Galaxy i6500u/Saturn is actually already available for sale through online retailer 360buy.com but that is only a pre-order at the moment. Still, it seems that partnership is official as the announcement of 360Buy’s involvement came from a China Unicom rep. I’m wondering what Chinese carrier will be next to pull Google Search from their handsets and what global carrier will choose to cripple Android across the board as AT&T seems dedicated to this.
And some spec highlights:
- 3.2″ AMOLED touchscreen
- Handwriting recognition
- HSDPA support
- 800MHz processor
- Wi-Fi
- 3.2-megapixel camera
- GPS navigation
- Bluetooth 2.1
- USB 2.0
- FM Radio
- microSD memory card slot
- 1,500mAh battery
Think this will ever find its way out of China?
I think its a bad idea releasing an android device without Google Apps & Search on it.
Obviously I have no idea how deeply integrated google apps are into people lives in China (I suspect substantially less so than in the UK..) but one of the biggest factors in buying an android handset for me was the ease with which I could access all of my google services without messing about installing apps such as I did with my old N95.
Without the same level of connectivity to google services I’m not sure android would be so immediately appealing. Clearly the opinion in China might be different since google services might not be so popular over there.
All the reviews to date of handsets attempting to eliminate the Google experience from Android OS phones has failed miserably. So… They might keep attempting to do it, but ultimately the proof will be in the pudding (Sales). So go ahead and attempt to dislodge the head from the body… It won’t work so well.