Samsung Galaxy S4 – hardware from Samsung with Google’s latest software

"Google's take on Android"?<p>Don't they mean just "Android"? Because the shit that comes on a regular S4 is "Samsung's take on Android", no matter how Samsung would prefer to define things.

They really need to make it a "Google program" of some sort, where <i>any</i> manufacturer can do this with their smartphone models (while respecting Google's strict guidelines of course). They'd basically be Chromebooks for Android.

Hilarious moment in the session when he announces the GS4.<p>"Here's the Samsung Galaxy S4, its a great phone, and you can get it for $650 on the Play store!"<p>...crickets.

This is amazing news. The S4 has amazing hardware but the Samsung stock software is absolutely terrible in almost every aspect.

I have an S4. Does anybody know if I'll be able to remove Samsung's software and go completely google? I'd be happy to ditch touchwiz and the junk Samsung put on the phone to get the full Google/Android experience.

Isn't this just a way to reassure customers, that there are no problems between Google and Samsung?<p>Also, I am huge fan of Nexus softkeys, which move as I rotate screen and are not physical. And how about softkeys other than home? Back is on the wrong side (well, wrong is opposite of what i've used to), and second is context sensitive menu.

I'm still worried. The Nexus way had invented 'no-physical-button' experience for 2 generations. Now, with Galaxy Nexus S4, will we have the physical button back again ? Will this cause fragmentation in android ecosystem ?

does this mean stock android will eventually get to use the smart gesture and motion features of S4 ? I would hope Samsung has contributed their code and future iterations of similar hardware will be supported in android ! for once let there be a good marriage between competition and a common open mobile operating system (aka Android) amongst manufacturers

It's interesting how with each nexus, samaungs brand gets stronger.<p>Google Nexus S, Google Galaxy Nexus, now Samsung Galaxy S4 with stock Android

Damnit. Makes me regret buying a Nexus 4 two months ago.

great news!

Does Google make any money by selling this or is it just Samsung? Does this mean no new Nexus phone for Google I/O?<p>And Motorola continues to bleed a ton of money.

Too expensive. For $649, get an iPhone.