Google Is Rolling Out Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Impatiently waited the latest release of Android 4 [Ice Cream Sandwich] will be started as update for GSM/UMTS Nexus S devices as today announced by Google. Well not all such devices will be updated just by now but in coming month. With rapid development and participation of open community in Android project, Google is able to minimize the gap between iOS and Android. With the release of every improved version of Android, this platform is becoming more stable. Of course, this whole development is not possible without interest of mass interest. You buy Android running devices and they are motivated to develop it. Because of general mass interest, not alone Google’s efforts, Android has already captured half of smart phone market.
We’re rolling out Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, to GSM/UMTS Nexus S devices over the coming month, starting today. Enjoy the tasty update! Once you get the update, check out some tips and shortcuts for getting started at the Android 4.0 Help Center:
If you are using Android 2.3 [Gingerbread], here is some info which you will need:
Android 4.0 [Ice Cream Sandwich] includes the following new features over its predecessors:
- Enhanced speed and performance
- Virtual buttons in the UI, in place of capacitive or physical buttons
- Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to apps
- Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style
- A customizable launcher
- Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages
- Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
- Offline search, a two-line preview, and new action bar at the bottom of the Gmail app
- Ability to swipe left or right to switch between Gmail conversations
- Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)
- Improved error correction on the keyboard
- Ability to access apps directly from lock screen (similar to HTC Sense 3.x)
- Improved copy and paste functionality
- Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation
- Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software
- New tabbed web browser, allowing up to 16 tabs
- Automatic syncing of browser with users’ Chrome bookmarks
- Modern Roboto font
- Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded
- Ability to shut down apps that are using data in the background
- Improved camera app with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording
- Built-in photo editor
- New gallery layout, organized by location and person
- Refreshed “People” app with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images
- Android Beam, a near-field communication feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data
- Hardware acceleration of the UI[61]
- Resizeable widgets – already part of Android 3.1 for tablets, but new for cellphones[62]
- Wi-Fi Direct[63]
- 1080p video recording for stock Android devices
Here is an introduction of Android 4.0 [Ice Cream Sandwich]:
