Samsung and Google Delay Android Handset Launch in Wake of Steve Jobs' Death

Earlier today, Samsung and Google announced that they would be canceling a previously-scheduled event set for Tuesday at which the companies were planning to introduce the Nexus Prime, the first handset to run Google's latest "Ice Cream Sandwich" version of Android.

Samsung and Google decide to postpone the new product announcement at CTIA Fall. We agree that it is just not the right time to announce a new product. New date and venue will be shortly announced.

Speculation immediately turned to the possibility that the companies delayed the launch out of respect for Steve Jobs, who passed away on Wednesday, although the companies did not offer an explanation for the event cancelation.

jobs
AllThingsD now reports that Samsung and Google did indeed cancel the event due to Jobs' death, feeling that the launch would be inappropriate given the mourning process still going on throughout the tech industry and the world.

The decision to postpone things was made late last night at the top levels of both companies, sources said, with Jobs’ death being the reason. There are no delays with the product itself, sources insisted.

For its part, Apple has continued with its launch plans for the iPhone 4S, introducing the device on Tuesday even as company executives likely knew that Jobs' passing was imminent. Pre-orders for the iPhone 4S began early today as scheduled, with availability set for next Friday, October 14th in the initial batch of launch countries.

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Top Rated Comments

r2shyyou Avatar
178 months ago
That's respect.
Score: 89 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DESNOS Avatar
178 months ago
I doubt steve himself knew how much people loved him. Even the competitors loved the man. Steve was never afraid to offer advice to friends and enemies alike.
Score: 76 Votes (Like | Disagree)
troop231 Avatar
178 months ago
Mad props for Google & Samsung!
Score: 66 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
178 months ago


That's respect.

Agreed. Say what you want about google and samsung. But this was a classy move.
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CptnJustc Avatar
178 months ago
Nice, but I don't think etiquette required that. Maybe there was a lot of anti-Apple marketing / rhetoric involved in the original plans?
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rorschach Avatar
178 months ago
I doubt steve himself knew how much people loved him. Even the competitors loved the man. Steve was never afraid to offer advice to friends and enemies alike.
Actually, I think it's more likely that it's the fans of these companies who don't realize that.

It's the "fanboys" who make it personal, whereas the people creating these products know (for the most part) that the competition is just business. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates never hated each other like Apple and Microsoft fanboys have hated each other.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)