Google has just officially announced the next version of the Android Platform, Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

The long-awaited follow-up to Android 2.2 Froyo will be making its debut on the new Samsung Nexus S smartphone. On its developer blog, Google highlights some of the new features in Android 2.3.

These features include:

• Rich multimedia — including support for VP8 and WebM video and new audio effects.
• Support for front-facing cameras, SIP/VoIP and Near Field Communication (NFC).
• Enhancements for game developers, including new sensor types.

The Nexus S

The first phone to get the Android 2.3 treatment is the Nexus S. Details of the Nexus S were leaked last month. The phone, which was developed alongside Samsung, combines many of the hardware elements of the popular Galaxy S series of devices with the new features in Android 2.3.

The Nexus S has a pretty impressive spec sheet. It features:

• 1 GHz Cortex A8 processor
• 16GB of built-in flash memory
• 4-inch Super AMOLED screen and Samsung’s new Contour Display curved glass screen
• 5 megapixel rear camera and front-facing VGA camera

In the U.S., the Nexus S will be available unlocked and without a contract at Best Buy stores on December 16, 2010. Although the phone is quad-band and unlocked, it was designed to run on the T-Mobile network. The phone will be available for $199 with a contract or $529 without.

UK customers can pick up the Nexus S at Carphone Warehouse or Best Buy UK stores after December 20, 2010. The Nexus S will be £549.99 SIM free in the UK or with tariffs of £35 a month.

More About: android, Android 2.3, Nexus S, samsung nexus s

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