It is finally here. After leaks, rumors and a lot of anticipation, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was launched today. At an event in HongKong, Google unveiled the Galaxy Nexus. This will be the first ICS Device, with other devices also getting it in the future.
According to Google, one problem they found recently was that people were not loving to use their devices. They felt their User Interface wasn’t as good looking as it should be, and have remedied that. Here is exactly what is new in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich:
- Revamped UI with the new ‘Roboto’ font throughout the OS
- One Operating System for both phones and tablets
- Virtual Navigation buttons instead of physical keys
- Default resolution of 16:9 1280×720
- Face Unlock, where the device will only unlock if it recognizes your face as the owner of the device
- All new Web Browser that syncs with your Google Chrome on the desktop
- Built in Screenshot taking
- Data Usage Management so you don’t cross your monthly limit
- Improved Notifications, Music Controls
- Improved keyboard with in-line spell and grammar check
- Android Beam: Send files, web pages, apps etc via NFC by just touching the devices together
- Hardware Acceleration of the UI promises to greatly smoothen the experience.
- Built in Photo Editing App
Availability
Google have confirmed that the Nexus S will be getting Ice Cream Sandwich shortly. They have also said that many Gingerbread devices will be getting it. It is safe to assume that all dual-core devices like the Galaxy S II and the LG Optimus 2X will be getting it. HTC has commented saying they will review the update and see how best to roll it out to their range of devices.
We think that Google needed this to counter recent developments like iOS5 and the iPhone 4S. With Nokia launching their Windows Phone 7 devices at Nokia World at the end of this month, the Smartphone arena is looking to get heated up. Head over to youtube.com/android to see the intro video to Ice Cream Sandwich.
What do you think of ICS? Will you switch over to an Android device because of it?
I am planning on buying this really awesome phone. But it is not an android phone. I want to know if I can download the android market into it maybe via a microsd card. Is this possible, if so how?