Android Ice Cream Sandwich: Which Smartphone will Accompany Google's New OS?

With the Hong Kong unveiling of Google's new Android Ice Cream Sandwich just one hour away, analysts and critics alike have come to question which smartphone Samsung will launch alongside the new OS.

News of Ice Cream Sandwich's unveiling broke when a report from Reuters. Samsung revealed that the latest version of Google's Android OS was set to be revealed at an event in Hong Kong.

Following the report, another "leak" came from tech site Droid Life, alleging the event would take place 19 October at 9-10 a.m. local time -- around 3 a.m. in the UK.

When asked about the authenticity of the reports, Samsung representatives confirmed that the event would take place, but that the company was not releasing any further information. "No UK media are attending the Hong Kong event. An announcement from Samsung and Google re: Android will be made," read the statement.

Interest in the event peaked when Samsung -- the company co-hosting the event -- revealed that it would be unveiling a new smartphone alongside Google's new OS version.

The Nexus Prime

Immediately following Samsung's revelation, speculation turned to the company's fabled Nexus Prime -- or Galaxy Nexus as it is sometimes called -- "Google Phone."

Since the speculation began, a number of "leaks" have appeared across the Internet allegedly confirming the Prime's presence at the event.

Most recently reported emerged suggesting U.S. carrier Verizon accidentally let slip not just the existence, but also the price and release date of Google and Samsung's fabled Nexus Prime smartphone.

The rumoured leak was first reported by Engadget, which alleged it had received an anonymously leaked Verizon document verifying several of the Nexus Prime's details.

The report suggested the device would go for a minimum advertised price of $299.99 on contract. It also indicated the device would be launched between 10 November 2010 and May 2011.

The rumour followed a similar report from CNET UK that suggested the Nexus Prime would be "blazingly fast," packing a 1.5GHz Exynos dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and house a curved 4.65-inch 1,280x720-pixel Super AMOLED Plus touchscreen -- basically for the non-techie, the device would be an iPhone 4S competitor in specs.

None of this has been confirmed by either Samsung or Google.

UPDATE: Samsung has confirmed the Galaxy Nexus, full round-up to follow.