The Samsung and Google Ice Cream Sandwich event last night promised “Something Big” was coming… they delivered and it’s very delicious. Seriously, Android 4.0 not only aesthetically looks better, but the experience sure seems to be more intuitive and a huge jump forward for the OS with all its new features: Roboto font, swipe gestures, resizable widgets, ability to capture screen shots, improvements to the notification system, improved copy-and-paste, “Face Unlock”, new Camera features and Android Beam.
If you already have an Android you’re probably wondering when you’ll get an official update to OS 4.0, clearly it’s going to be a long haul (especially for us Canadians), but here are some initial details. According to Google’s Gabe Cohen Matias Duarte they said they are “currently in the process for releasing Ice Cream Sandwich for Nexus S. Theoretically should work for any 2.3 device”.
Then, early this morning HTC sent out a press release about ICS upgrades which stated they are “currently reviewing its features and functionality” with the goal to bring the update to the most “recent devices”, but “we are committed to maintaining every phone’s performance and usability first”, including the HTC Sense experience. No timeline was given or what’s on their most recent device list.
“We are excited about the latest update for Android, Ice Cream Sandwich, and are currently reviewing its features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans. Our goal for Android updates is to give every customer an improved user experience, which means balancing each phone’s unique hardware, HTC Sense experience and the Android kernel. While our goal is to upgrade as many of our recent devices as possible, we are committed to maintaining every phone’s performance and usability first. Please stay tuned for more updates on specific device upgrade plans.”
Other Android manufacturers such as LG, Sony Ericsson and Motorola haven’t announced their upgrade plans. Yesterday, Motorola said the new Motorola RAZR will be receiving Android 4.0 sometime in Q1 2012.
Source: Engadget
