android 4.0

Ice Cream Sandwich update dripping out to Motorola Xoom

Ice Cream Sandwich is finally providing some flavor to Motorola Xoom tablets.

A Motorola representative confirmed to CNET today that the company has deployed the Ice Cream Sandwich update, aka Android 4.0, to a small number of Xoom users for testing. The company has promised to confirm additional details when the upgrade is more broadly available, added the rep.

Motorola initially seems to have teased the update, without specifically mentioning ICS, in the following e-mail sent to select Xoom owners yesterday, according to tech blogging site AndroidCentral:

Thanks for your patience as we've waited for this project to … Read more

Google evangelists release bible of good Android design

Google doesn't reject apps from the Android Market just because they're ugly.

But that doesn't mean the company doesn't care--especially now that Matias Duarte has seized the spotlight as director of Android user experience. So, absent the banhammer, Google is trying gentler persuasion to get others besides itself to care about designs that look and work well in the Ice Cream Sandwich era.

For that reason, Google has released an Android design guide for ICS, aka Android 4.0. As my colleague Kent German observes, Google's accommodating ways up to this point have led to … Read more

Google issues Ice Cream Sandwich style guide

LAS VEGAS--When Google first showed off Ice Cream Sandwich last year, the company promised that the update would unify the Android experience between tablets and smartphones.

And today at CES, Matias Duarte, Google's director of Android user experience, announced a further step in that direction.

While speaking with editors of The Verge, Duarte announced that Google has developed an Ice Cream Sandwich style guide for device manufactures and developers.

According to Android Developer Blog, the guide will be a place where developers can "learn about principles, building blocks, and patterns for creating world-class Android user interfaces." In … Read more

Android Atlas Weekly 80: It's a camera, it's a phone, it's a tablet! (Podcast)

Motorola has Droid RAZR deja vu (twice!) and Samsung's Ryan Bidan stops by to show off the Galaxy Note and explain why we should be excited about an Android-powered refrigerator.

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How to disable preinstalled apps on the Galaxy Nexus

Bloatware and custom apps preinstalled by wireless carriers are to be expected on Android devices. These types of apps have even made their way on to one of Google's own devices--the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Verizon.

While rooting your device will allow you to uninstall any unwanted apps, we know rooting isn't for everyone, no matter how simple it may be. We also know how annoying it can be to have multiple apps preinstalled on your device, with no way of uninstalling them.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich allows you to disable an app, in lieu of … Read more

How to use face unlock on the Galaxy Nexus

The face unlock feature on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus may not be the most secure method to keep your data safe, but it's still fun to see in action.

You can set up face unlock on the Galaxy Nexus in a few simple steps.

Go to Settings and tap on Security. Select Screen Lock Tap on Face Unlock Follow the rest of the prompts on the screen to complete the setup process. Once you are done, you will be asked to enter either a pattern or a pin code as a backup unlock method should there be any issues … Read more

Google standardizes Holo theme for Android 4.0 devices

After investing a considerable amount of time and effort on the Android 4.0 user interface (UI), Google is taking steps to ensure that it remains a key component of devices.

Writing on the developer blog yesterday, Android Framework engineer Adam Powell outlined the new compatibility standard for the Holo theme first introduced in 3.0 Honeycomb.

Going forward, devices running Ice Cream Sandwich with official access to the Android Market will offer the Holo themes as they were initially created. So in other words, developers will have a standard set of UI elements to work with, ultimately resulting in … Read more

How to decline a phone call with a custom text message on ICS

Ever send a friend or family member to voice mail only to have them keep calling or even text you asking why you declined their call? … Read more

Ice Cream Sandwich update to flavor Sony S tablet

Owners of Sony's Tablet S can expect a topping of Ice Cream Sandwich, but the company hasn't yet revealed a specific release date.

Posting on a Sony forum last week, a company rep confirmed that Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, will be available for the Sony tablet and added that the timing and other details will be "announced in due course."

Outfitted with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Sony's 9.4-inch Tablet S hit the market in September. As reviewed by CNET's Donald Bell, the Tablet S is a bit pricey, … Read more

Samsung may offer a taste of Ice Cream Sandwich to the Galaxy

Will they or won't they? That's the question Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab customers are asking with respect to whether Samsung will offer them the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update.

Samsung will likely not update those devices to ICS, but older Galaxy owners may not be entirely out of luck. There is apparently still a chance that Samsung is preparing a "Value Pack" with ICS features and functionality, just scaled for less robust hardware. TheNextWeb.com had the news, citing a Korean site as a source.

Ever since Ice Cream Sandwich was announced … Read more