Google and Samsung unveil new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich powered Galaxy Nexus

Lee Bell
October 19, 2011
12 Comments

google nexus primeGoogle unveiled its new Android 4.0 operating system today, mouth-wateringly code-named Ice Cream Sandwich. The big reveal in Hong Kong in the early hours of this morning was partnered alongside new Samsung smartphone the Galaxy Nexus. The joint venture will see the new phone as the first mobile device to run the updated software.

The new Android OS, which code name continues to follow Google’s much loved theme of desserts (note alphabetically-ordered predecessors Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb), is scheduled for release in November. When we do manage to get our greedy hands on it, the update will offer a wonderful plethora of improved features. Here’s a rundown of the new ones:

  • Newly integrated Android Beam will allow users to share all content in a kooky fashion.
  • Face Unlock feature will allow users to unlock their handsets by looking into the front-facing camera – beats a boring pin lock.
  • The new camera interface will feature improved image stabilization and autofocus, and all that other stuff cameras should do. There will also be an added bonus of built-in face detection, panorama and time lapse modes, as well as on-the-fly photo editing. Sounds a like an ice creamy dream.
  • Another major overhaul will be the contact list, where the phone’s owner can have their own profile, and people’s contact details are sourced from Google+, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Users can then define favourites, and individual people can be placed on the homescreen or in folders for quick access.

With the new features, the Android update will also boast of a hefty revamp of the standard elements of past releases, including Gmail, folders, widgets, fonts, browser, calendar, copy and paste functions and the notifications tray. Google didn’t hesitate in adding that its new OS will also offer easier multitasking and a new way to access applications.

As the biggest seller of Android devices, Samsung loved telling everyone at the launch that the Galaxy Nexus – which is a combination of Samsung and Google’s past, separate devices – will feature 300,000 applications and games. What one would want with that many is unknown to us. But there’ll be there if you want them. How the actual phone aspect of the device works was left unmentioned. We’re hoping it’s clear, loud and reliable- like a phone should be!

Google may not be first class when it comes to social media, with Google+ inciting nothing more than a slight eyebrow raise among most web surfers. But this announcement, which was postponed a week in the commemoration of the passing of Steve Jobs, has certainly got heads turning. With the update, Google Chief Executive Officer Larry Page aims to boost mobile-advertising sales and give customers an alternative to Apple‘s iOS software. Judging by the 190 million active Android sales so far – we’re pretty sure you’re already doing that, Larry.

An analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co based in Hong Kong who goes by the name of Mark Newman, said: “Ice Cream Sandwich could provide the critical push in the race to catch Apple.”

Apple may seem like they have nothing to worry about, selling 4 million of their iPhone 4S smartphones in 3 days, but it’s not all as well as it seems. It was reported by Reuters shortly before Google’s unveil that Apple has failed to reach quarterly targets for the first time in years. It goes to show that hype doesn’t equally amount to success. Unless Apple arrogantly projected figures that were far from realistic? Either that, or rumours of the iPhone 5 are responsible for the disappointing results.

Nevertheless, Samsung is Apple’s biggest rival and while legal battles over patent issues have so far gone in Apple’s favour, Samsung’s announcement on Monday stating that its Galaxy S II and its predecessor have sold over 30 million units means they have overtaken Apple in the smartphone market. Hard to believe? Remember, Samsung did win best smartphone award. It is still only early days for the 4S, however. Who do you think is winning the race?

While you decide, here’s Google and Samsung’s inconceivably futuristic launch video.

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Tags: android, Article, Google, ice cream sandwich, injunctions, iPhone 4S, patent, samsung, Smartphone
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