Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Overview
A full overview and feature rundown of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Google has taken the stage in Hong Kong to make the next version of Android OS,
Android 4.0
-nicknamed Ice Cream Sandwich, a thing of reality. Better known as Android 4.0 appears to offer a massive redesign to the user interface and adds a plethora of new features. So here’s what’s new: first, we’re seeing a new notification menu, as well as NFC-enabled Android Beam, video snapshots and an improved task manager. ICS also includes a fancy unlocking method called “Face Unlock,” which uses facial recognition to ensure strangers can’t use your phone without permission. Ice Cream Sandwich also includes enhancements in almost every native app within Android itself. After the break, we’ll cover all of the nitty gritty details.
Here’s some of the enhancements found in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich:
- Virtual buttons in the UI, instead of taking up a capacitive screen
- 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
- 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
- “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
These are the main features of the upcoming Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwichupdate.
