However, unlike the Nexus One, Google didn't have the phone built from scratch, but co-developed the product with Samsung, the OEM whose Galaxy S phones are among the most popular Android handsets, recently reaching 7 million shipments worldwide since their July launch.

Here Comes Gingerbread

According to the post on the official Google blog, the new version of the Android operating system, Gingerbread, has now been released alongside the Nexus S's launch.

As reported earlier, Gingerbread delivers a number of improvements, most notably, says Google, "user interface refinements, NFC support, a new keyboard and text selection tool, Internet (VoIP/SIP) calling, improved copy/paste functionality and gyroscope sensor report.

You can see Gingerbread in action in this video.

Nexus S: The Specs

The product page for the Nexus S smartphone has been launched, too, where you can learn more about the device, its features, its technical specifications and view photos and videos.

According to this page, the phone features the following:

Connectivity

• Quad-band GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900
• Tri-band HSPA: 900, 2100, 1700
• HSPA type: HSDPA (7.2Mbps) HSUPA (5.76Mbps)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 n/b/g
• Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Assisted GPS (A-GPS)
• microUSB 2.0

Display

• 4.0" WVGA (480x800)
• Contour Display with curved glass screen
• Super AMOLED
• 235 ppi
• Capacitive touch sensor
• Anti-fingerprint display coating

Size and weight

• 63mm x 123.9mm x 10.88mm
• 129g

Hardware

• Haptic feedback vibration
• Three-axis gyroscope
• Accelerometer
• Digital compass
• Proximity sensor
• Light sensor

Processor and memory

• 1GHz Cortex A8 (Hummingbird) processor
• 16GB iNAND flash memory

Cameras and multimedia

• Back-facing: 5 megapixels (2560x1920)
• 720 x 480 video resolution
• H.264, H.263 MPEG4 video recording
• Auto focus
• Flash
• Front-facing: VGA (640x480)
• 3.5mm, 4-conductor headset jack
• (stereo audio plus microphone)
• Earpiece and microphone
• Software noise-cancellation

Battery

• Talk time up to 6.7 hours on 3G
• (14 hours on 2G)
• Standby time up to 17.8 days on 3G
• (29.7 days on 2G)
• 1500 mAH Lithum Ion

Software

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Android Market
• Calendar
• Gmail
• Google Earth
• Google Maps with Navigation
• Google Search
• Google Talk
• Google Voice
• Voice Actions
• YouTube

How to Get It

You'll be able to purchase the Nexus S online or at Best Buy stores/Best Buy Mobile Stores in the U.S or at the Carphone Warehouse or Best Buy retail stores in the U.K after December 16th. The phone will be available either unlocked or with a T-Mobile service plan.