T-Mobile confirms no Wi-Fi calling for Nexus 4
Blame Jelly Bean, but one of the carrier's most popular features will not be present for the "Pure Google" LG Android smartphone.
CNET has confirmed that the LG Nexus 4 for by T-Mobile will not come with Wi-Fi calling capabilities. The change was first reported earlier today by the tech blog TmoNews.
As one of the more popular features in select T-Mobile Android smartphones, it allows users to make calls via their Wi-Fi connection instead of using the carrier's towers and cellular network. Not only could this lead to potentially stronger signal in homes, but also it doesn't count against allotted monthly minutes.
Why there is no Wi-Fi calling in the new LG smartphone is fairly easy to explain. The Nexus 4 has a stock Android 4.2 experience with no carrier influence or preloaded applications and features. Simply put, Wi-Fi calling is not built into Android 4.2 Jelly Bean so it's not included on the handset.
Now this doesn't necessarily mean that crafty modders and hackers won't do their best to get the feature loaded onto the device. In fact, given the target audience of early adopters and enthusiasts, I suspect it will be a matter of sooner and not later.