The latest version of Android is now official. Powering the Galaxy Nexus, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) reunites the smartphone and tablet versions of Android into a single one and brings with it a number of new features and enhancements.
Android 4.0 builds on the things people love most about Android — efficient multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens, resizable widgets, and deep interactivity — and adds powerful new ways of communicating and sharing. It includes many great features for users, including social and sharing integration, network data usage control, innovative connectivity and camera options, and an updated set of standard apps.
Among the new features you will find in Android 4.0 are:
- User interface updated but inheriting may of Honeycomb’s features
- Hardware buttons replaced by adaptable software buttons
- A new font optimized for HD displays
- A Recent Apps button and list to let users easily switch between apps
- Improved notifications system
- New home screen folders that allow users to group their apps and shortcuts logically
- New customizable favorites tray visible on all home screens
- Resizable widgets
- New lock screen actions including direct access to camera and notifications window
- Improved soft keyboard with better correction and word suggestion
- New controls to track and manage network data usage
- New People app that offers richer profile information and integration with social networks
- Unified calendar application with support for other calendar providers
- New visual voicemail with support for third-party application integration
- Numerous camera improvements including continuous focus, zero shutter lag exposure, decreased shot-to-shot speed and single-motion panorama mode
- Ability to take snapshots while shooting video by tapping the screen
- Improved Gallery app with redesigned album layout and new photo editor
- Improved Picture Gallery widget
- Improved browser with updated tab manager and ability to sync bookmarks with Google Chrome
- Improved browser page rendering performance
- Improved email client including nested mail subfolders with synchronization rules
- Android Beam for NFC-based sharing: apps, contacts, music, videos can all be shared by touching one Android-powered phone to another and tapping to send.
- Face Unlock with uses the camera to recognize the user and unlock the device
- Support for Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) device connections
Android 4.0 will first be available on the Galaxy Nexus but is expected to also be offered as an upgrade to at least some current Android devices (smartphones and tablets).