Google Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Release Date

Upcoming Android 4.0 Products

• HTC Quattro
• Galaxy S III
• ASUS Transformer Pad Infinity
• Sony Quad-Core Tablet
• Panasonic Eluga
• Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD
• Motorola's Intel-Based Andriod Smartphone
• ASUS Padfone
• Lenovo Quad-Core Tablet
• HTC's One X, One S and One V

Official Announcements

Android 4.0 will feature a number refinements and improvements, and it will converge the tablet and smartphone versions of Android into a single OS. Of course, the OS will keep its open-source status, and it will retain the general look of Android 3.0. The size of widgets will be adjustable, and USB hosting - the ability for the phone to use a USB device similar to way a computer uses a USB device - will be possible. Currently, most Android devices act as USB devices as opposed to USB hosts. USB hosting allows an Android device to use, for example, a basic USB keyboard or other input device with minimum hassle. 

One of the most noticeable features of Ice Cream Sandwich is that it replaces Android's hardware buttons with virtual buttons, which can be repurposed by the OS or Apps. Also addes is pinch to zoom functionality in the Calendar app. Gmail has offline search now, and you can swipe left or right to different gmail conversations/messages. Capture screenshots by holding down the power and volume buttons. You'll also have the option of unlocking your device with the physical presence of your face as opposed to the pin or pattern locks. The browser, which now features tabs, also automatically syncs your chrome bookmarks. The camera app also features zero shutter lag and a built-in photo editor. Oh yeah, there's that Google Wallet thing that is changing the way we buy things. 

Core App Updates

• Browser: The Browser update now features tabs, and these tabs can be saved for offline viewing. Expect your Chrome bookmarks to sync with your Android Browser bookmarks (if you want). Also, you can now browse in desktop mode (to view the desktop versions of pages) and incognito mode (to browse without saving any history and cookies).
• Gmail: A new UI and a new action bar round out the main updates to the Gmail app. Also, you can now store your emails on your phone for offline viewing for up to 30 days without a data connection.
• Calendar: The Calendar app's UI also features an updated UI, and also pinch-to-zoom functionality has been added.
• Settings: Data Usage Controls is a new area in settings that allows you to analyze your data usage with a chart, and it tries to predict future data usage throughout the rest of the month. Add a threshold limit to shut off your data service when you've used a certain amount of data in the current billing cycle.
• Camera: The new camera app features absolutely no shutter lag, which is a common problem with camera phones. You can also take sweeping panorama shots, and the video capture mode has been updated to include some basic updates like continuous focus and the ability to zoom while recording.
• Gallery: Google added some mild-photo editing tools, filters and an improved UI.

• Tweet
•