Nexus 4 will hit T-Mobile stores though timing remains unclear

News
By Michael Rougeau
published

Availability could soon improve

Google Nexus 4
The Nexus 4 is not an easy phone to find

Google's Nexus 4 Android Jelly Bean smartphone is notoriously difficult to find, but that could all change soon.

A report that surfaced on Wednesday claimed that the Nexus 4 will be available in T-Mobile retail stores across the country by the end of January.

The report cited what appears to be an internal T-Mobile memo or email with the heading "Field Sales News" that was apparently sent out on Monday.

The message reads, "The Google Nexus 4 will launch in all T-Mobile retail locations in January," and appears to recommend that employees review the device in preparation.

Confirmation from T-Mobile

The message also confirms that "the [Google] Play Store will continue to carry the Nexus 4."

This seems fairly cut and dry. However, the source of the memo was unclear, so TechRadar reached out to T-Mobile to find out if it's legitimate.

A T-Mobile spokesperson responded that, "The Nexus 4 will be available nationwide in T-Mobile retail stores and select national retail stores and select dealers."

"We don't have specific timing just yet," he added.

The shortage so far

Nexus 4 supplies have so far not been sufficient to meet demand for the device, with would-be buyers in early December facing wait times of up to five weeks.

It got so bad that Google even issued an apology in mid-December, blaming LG, the manufacturer of the Nexus 4, for the shortage.

On Thursday, it came to light that the short Nexus 4 supplies may be even worse than one would have imagined, when a group of Android enthusiasts determined that there may only be 400,000 of the phones in existence right now.

That number is not confirmed, but either way, a wide release in T-Mobile stores will be a major boon for the carrier, Google and customers alike.

Via TmoNews

Michael Rougeau
Michael Rougeau

Michael Rougeau is a former freelance news writer for TechRadar. Studying at Goldsmiths, University of London, and Northeastern University, Michael has bylines at Kotaku, 1UP, G4, Complex Magazine, Digital Trends, GamesRadar, GameSpot, IFC, Animal New York, @Gamer, Inside the Magic, Comic Book Resources, Zap2It, TabTimes, GameZone, Cheat Code Central, Gameshark, Gameranx, The Industry, Debonair Mag, Kombo, and others.


Micheal also spent time as the Games Editor for Playboy.com, and was the managing editor at GameSpot before becoming an Animal Care Manager for Wags and Walks.