Ice cream sandwich, the new Android version by Google

The recent launch of the new mobile by Samsung, Galaxy Nexus, has provided not only a new device in the market but the possibility to analyze the new version of Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich. We will focus on the analysis of this new version which has provoke many comments, rumors and leaks.

People how has tested it had satisfactory impressions on the matter. They assure it is the more elaborate and polished Android version, improving the features that have achieved a succesful system (multitasking, notifications, personalization and interactivity).

Android 4.0 interface features

In fact, the new version takes the best of Android 2.3 and Android 3.0, combined with a unique new typeface named Roboto, designed for a comfortable reading on screens with high resolution.

Another innovative aspect is the inclusion of virtual buttons in the system bar, enabling typical Android navigation options (back, home, recent applications). System bar and virtual buttons, both of them, appear throughout the applications we use, but we can make them disappear in full screen mode, and they can also rotate depending on the mobile orientation. There is a third contextual actions bar that is usually placed on the top.

Below we mention some aspects of the interface and operation of Ice Cream Sandwich:

• Notifications bar: The notification bar is still keeping on top of what we have seen for mobile, with a translucent design makes it more attractive and shows the faces of our contacts. The notices also are accessible from the lock screen.

  

• The way to create folders remind us iOS system, we just place the application icon on another one.
• At the bottom of the screen there is a bar with your favorite applications, and at the center the access applications launcher.
• The Google search bar is always present at the desks, it is quite similar to “Just Type” webOS.
• Widgets can be moved and changed their size like Honeycomb style.
• It is possible to take screen captures with a combination of lower volume button and power button.
• We have a button that opens the multitasking manager, with a representation similar to Honeycomb, but now we can delete a task with a horizontal gesture.
• Improved keyboard operation, with a new set of dictionaries and recommendations. It lets you drag the copied text in a tactile way.
• It introduces a new voice recognition system that corrects us and underlines the dictated text in real time to prevent typing errors. With a simple touch we can see Android suggestions and correct it.
• In the comments they suggest that Ice Cream Sandwich herits from Honeycomb the acceleration of hardware, which we consider an improvement in power to move the interface.

Android 4.0 browser

One of the most important part in a operating system, and one of the point where Google works thoroughly. We list some of the Ice Cream Sandwich innovations:

Ameriorations in web rendering has also been improved, with updates on WebKit and the V8 JavaScript engine.

Main Android 4.0 applications

Android Beam, sharing by NFC

Using NFC technology present in Nexus mobiles, which will gradually be more important in the Android system, we may share from links to applications, contacts, videos or music, only bringing closer two NFC devices.

Beam let us sharing information between our mobiles in a easy way with no complicate menus by touching two devices together.

Face Unlock

Face Unlock is a one of the most innovative features in Ice Cream Sandwich, which has also looked to improve safety aspects in the system.

As you can guess, it means the lock screen is going to be unlock with the recognition of our face, leaving aside the old patterns or PINs. We’ll see how this works in practice.

Wireless connections

We are finding more and more terminals that have WiFi Direct specification which allows computers to connect via WiFi network without normal Internet connection.

Google opens the door for developers to use this new opportunity with Ice Cream Sandwich. It will be used to share data, streaming video, or connect our phones to printers without cables.

Android 4.0 also supports Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP), giving developers ccess to work wirelessly with sensors and equipment found in hospitals, sports centers, etc.

For more information, we show the official video about Ice Cream Sandwich where the new version of Android was presented.

UPDATED: Galaxy Nexus volum problem and a no official solution

Samsung is having some problems with the launch of its new terminal, Galaxy Nexus. You will apreciate in the video show below, the phone is having some problems by adjusting the volume using the side controls. When you change the volume after pressing a button, the control begins to vary without touch it and it enven active vibration system randomly out of control. The curious thing is that the problem seems to affect only the terminals in Europe when they use the 900 MHz band 2G (under GRPS or EDGE), and the number of affected could be around 60% of users based a survey of XDA Developers. Hopefully some kind of official update fixes this problem if not we propose the solution developed by the group MoDaCo. It is a modified ROM that has to be installed in a Recovery Mode, so you must be used to manage this aspects.

UPDATED:The new Galaxy Nexus inside

If we want to see the new Galaxy Nexus inside,iFixit shows us. The guys at iFixit have already obtained the Galaxy Nexus, the GSM version, and as expected they have not taken time to dismount it. On its website we can see step by step how to remove Google’s new terminal manufactured by Samsung. Very useful information to repair the device for shops or people who have the misfortune to break his phone and want to fix it by oneself.

We can see how this fitted the Galaxy Nexus, all bearing components and see their location and position of its antena, its OMAP4460 dual processor 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, its sensors, etc …