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Samsung's Galaxy Nexus smartphone, the hotly anticipated, first device to run on Ice Cream Sandwich, the brand-new update to Google's Android operating system, is slated to make its U.S. debut any day now on the Verizon Wireless network.

The device, which comes in both LTE and HSPA+ versions, is compatible with wireless networks around the globe. (It makes its world debut in the U.K. on Nov. 17.)

To prep you for the device's debut, which many Android lovers hope will be one of the first real challengers to Apple's iPhone in terms of sales, our slide show takes a look back at the Nexus' brief history.

Looking for more? Click here for our LTE smartphone image gallery, which breaks down all 11 super-fast LTE handsets available or soon to be available for purchase in the U.S. to help you decide what's best for your buck.