[android] Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" now official

[Arthur]

Lots of nice new features, but it could be a while smartphone manufacturers roll it out. HTC has said they are "currently reviewing its features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans." Google's Nexus S definitely will, but it remains to be seen if the Nexus One gets upgraded (at least officially).

 

engadget.com/2011/10/18/android-4-0-ice-cream-sandwich-now-official/

engadget.com/2011/10/19/google-ice-cream-sandwich-android-4-0-a-hands-on-screenshot-g/

 

Android 4.0 Platform Highlights

For Users: developer.android.com/sdk/android-4.0-highlights.html#UserFeatures

For Developers: developer.android.com/sdk/android-4.0-highlights.html#DeveloperApis

 

Here are some of the enhancements found in Ice Cream Sandwich:

• Option to use virtual buttons in the UI, instead of taking up capacitive touch buttons
  
• Widgets are in a new tab, listed in a similar list to apps
  
• Folders are much easier to create, with a drag-and-drop style similar to iOS
  
• A customizable launcher
  
• New phone app with visual voicemail functionality that lets you speed up or slow down voicemail messages
  
• Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
  
• Gmail has offline search, a two-line preview, and new action bar at the bottom
  
• Swipe left or right to switch between Gmail conversations
  
• Integrated screenshot capture by holding 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
  
• Better voice integration
  
• Face Unlock, a facial recognition service
  
• New tabbed web browser, allowing up to 16 tabs
  
• Browser now automatically syncs your Chrome bookmarks
  
• Modern "Roboto" font
  
• Data Usage section in settings lets you set warnings when you reach a certain amount of use and disabling data when you go over your limit
  
• Ability to kill off apps that are using data in the background
  
• Camera app: zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, 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 NFC feature that lets you exchange websites, contact info, directions, YouTube, etc.
  
• Don't like some of those preloaded carrier apps? Disable 'em. Android Engineer Dan Morrill mentions that, among other new features, any app can be disabled, and while it will still take up space in ROM, it won't be snatching any of your precious resources or clock cycles again if you don't want it to.
  

Edited October 19, 2011 by Arthur

[JJonas]