Android OS statues in front of Building 44 on the Google campus.
If I were to mention Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich, your mouth might start to water and you might start to think of visiting your local dessert shop! Or, if you are like me, you might think about all the versions of the Android operating system. (And then hitting the dessert shop!)
Ever since Android 1.0 came out for the HTC Dream (G1) in 2008, Android has been consistently improving and adding new features to their very popular mobile OS. Version 1.5, codenamed Cupcake, started the dessert nomenclature. With every tasty dessert comes new features and bug fixes. These releases have improved to the point that Android based phones are a very viable alternative to the iPhone. The culmination is the current version of Android’s “sweet” R&D department, Android 4.0, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich.
This OS was previewed in May 2011, officially launched with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in October. The source code was released in November, three days before the Nexus. Some of the notable upgrades are:
• Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
• Automatic syncing of browser with users’ Chrome bookmarks
• Android Beam, a NFC feature that lets users exchange web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube, etc.
• Improved camera app with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording
• Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software
• New tabbed web browser, allowing up to 16 tabs
With all the new features of Android 4.0, Android users will be anxiously awaiting offerings from the mobile carriers. So far, Verizon is the only carrier that has a phone running Ice Cream Sandwich, the above mentioned Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Keep your eyes peeled and your bank accounts full for the next few months as the carriers start to roll out updated and new products carrying the Android 4.0 OS.
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