The Samsung Galaxy Nexus is now available through Verizon Wireless for $299.99 with a new two-year customer agreement. It runs on Verizon’s new 4G LTE network and is also the first device to run Google’s new Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) operating system. Ice Cream Sandwich brings a lot of new features into the fray including a completely retooled user experience which promises to make Android, “simple, beautiful, and useful.” A few of the new features of Ice Cream Sandwich:

-Face Unlock - Uses facial recognition to unlock the device
-Beam - Share content by tapping compatible phones together
-Camera - Now allow you to take panorama pictures

The phone itself is no pushover. The Galaxy Nexus will contain:

-Dual-Core 1.2 GHz processor
-5 Megapixel rear camera with zero shutter lag and full 1080p.
-Front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera
-Bluetooth 3.0
-1GB RAM
-32 GB onboard memory

Galaxy Nexus phone updates will be handled directly by Google. The phone will not update through the carriers, which means users of the Galaxy Nexus would receive new updates faster than users of other Android devices. The Nexus dropped December 15, 2011 through Verizon wireless. Keep in mind that, “customers that purchase a Galaxy Nexus by Samsung will need to subscribe to a Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk plan beginning at $39.99 monthly access and a smartphone data package starting at $30 monthly access for 2 GB of data. Customers can visit www.verizonwireless.com/galaxynexus for more information on the Galaxy Nexus. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services. visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Joseph Sugabo is a freelance writer and tech enthusiast.