The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1, was publicly released on 19 October 2011. Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time. The source code for Android 4.0 became available on 14 November 2011. Ice Cream Sandwich was the last version to officially support Adobe Systems' Flash player. The update introduced numerous new features:
Release date: 19 October 2011
Features:- Major refinements to the "Holo" interface with new Roboto font family
- Soft buttons from Android 3.x are now available for use on phones
- Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to applications
- Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style
- Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages
- Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
- Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)
- Improved error correction on the keyboard
- Ability to access applications directly from lock screen
- Improved copy and paste functionality
- Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation
- Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software
- Automatic syncing of browser with users' Chrome bookmarks
- Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded
- Ability to shut down applications that are using data in the background
- Improved camera application with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording
- Built-in photo editor
- New gallery layout, organized by location and person
- Refreshed "People" application with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images
- Android Beam, a near-field communication feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data
- Support for the WebP image format
- Hardware acceleration of the UI
- Wi-Fi Direct
- 1080p video recording for stock Android devices
- Android VPN Framework (AVF), and TUN (but not TAP) kernel module. Prior to 4.0, VPN software required rooted Android.
- Fixed minor bugs for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich
Release date: 21 October 2011
Features:
- Fixed minor bugs for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich
Release date: 28 November 2011
Features:
- Fixed minor bugs on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the US launch of which was later delayed until December 2011
(For Canadian consumers, 4.0.2 reportedly created a bug on the Galaxy Nexus that crashed the application market when users attempted to view details of any Android application. It also inadvertently reduced the NFC capabilities of the Nexus phone.)
