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All posts tagged "ice cream sandwich"


Friday, July 6, 2012

ARCHOS ELEMENTS 97 carbon Tablet Announced

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Slates & Tablets" @ 12:00 AM

"ARCHOS, an award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, is pleased to introduce the ARCHOS 97 carbon, the first of its new tablet range called "ELEMENTS", an entry-level line up of 7, 8, and 9.7 inch tablets that combine ARCHOS design and engineering with full access to Google PlayTM and a full suite of Google apps at an affordable price."

Interesting to see the new tablets coming to market at consumer-friendly prices. This 9.7-inch tablet sports an IPS screen, plays 1080p HD video, weighs 21.8-ounces, and is 0.45-inches thick. With a 1-GHz processor (no further processor details were available), 1GB RAM, and 16GB storage, the Carbon 97 is running Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) 4.0 and is set to debut this July (2012) with a price of $249.99 or less. Interesting to also note that the carbon 97 supports expandable memory via SDHC cards up to 32GB and (or?) USB flash drives from a full-sized USB port. It'll be interesting to see if ARCHOS can crash the tablet party, and give the bigger players some competition at this price point.


Friday, May 25, 2012

HTC Releases Ice Cream Sandwich Update Schedule

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...ndwich-updates/

"HTC has published a brand-new list of its devices to get Android 4.0, but the difference between this one and previous lists is the level of detail. Most phones have a target OTA deployment range of 2 months, significantly more precise than the typical "quarterly" guestimates we see manufacturers publish generally."

HTC has a great track record of providing update for their devices. This list includes 17 phones that are scheduled to get Ice Cream Sandwich (Android version 4.0). Take a look and see if your phone made the cut. Most, if not all, HTC phones with more than 512MB of RAM did!


Monday, April 30, 2012

Cyanogenmod 9 Available for the Tegra 3 HTC One X

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/29/2...c-one-x-release

"If you love the powerful hardware, excellent screen, and beautiful design of the HTC One X, but would prefer your smartphone have a Sense-free, stock Android experience, the hacking community has answered your call."

If you have an LTE version of HTC One X, which uses a Snapdragon S4 CPU/GPU, this will not work for you. But if you want a clean, as it was meant to be, Android device, you can now have it with possibly the most high-end Android hardware available. The Cyanogenmod 9 is now available, though not officially released, for the Tegra 3 based, HTC One X. It sounds like most features are working other than the camera and WiFi hotspot.

Will you be giving Cyanogenmod 9 a try on your nice new quad-core phone? Let us know how it works for you!


Thursday, March 29, 2012

Google Maps Celebrates 50 Billion KM with a New Look

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android Software" @ 10:00 AM

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/20...le+Mobile+Blog)

"So far, Navigation on Google Maps for Android has provided 50 billion kilometers of turn-by-turn directions...In today’s release of Google Maps 6.5 for Android we’ve redesigned the Navigation home screen in Android 4.0+ to make it easier to enter a new destination or select from recent and favorite locations by swiping left or right."

The latest version of Google Maps makes some interface changes and can now take advantage of all the qHD (540x960) and HD (720x1280) displays out there on new high end phones. They specifically mention Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy S II (which should not be in the list since it has a very unimpressive resolution of 480x800), and Droid Razr. I guess the interface changes only apply to devices with Ice Cream Sandwich but the high resolution support works on Gingerbread too. I'm actually surprised they had to do anything special to take advantage of high resolution displays since they switched to using vector based rendering a number of versions ago - at least I thought. Anyway, I'm glad they did the right thing now!

Anyone out there with a Galaxy Nexus have any comment on the interface changes? Did anyone with a qHD or HD device try out the maps with the new version and care to comment on any improvement?


Saturday, January 21, 2012

ASUS Transformer Prime: Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) Improvements

Posted by Michael Knutson in "Other Slates & Tablets" @ 11:30 PM

http://www.businessinsider.com/fina...used-to-2012-1#

"I've been hanging on to the Asus Transformer Prime for the last month for a reason.

Even though the tablet launched a few weeks ago, the real news was that Asus was going to push out a major update to the new version of Google's Android called Ice Cream Sandwich."

Looks like a very good Android tablet has gotten better with Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) - better performance, better multitasking, and the hardware just feels faster. In fact, the author states that swiping between screens is now faster than on the iPad2. Improved browser performance is another advantage, and there is now a control panel "for controlling stuff." Unfortunately, quality tablet apps are still lacking, according to the author, and there appear to be bugs in the ICS update process, and with the tablet's GPS. Despite these improvements, again according to the author, the iPad2 still is ahead in the overall user experience, but this is the best Android tablet to date.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

ASUS Announces New High-End Tablets

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 11:30 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/...former-prime-t/

"Flustered with the original Transformer Prime you just purchased? We'd advise you to have a seat. ASUS just took the wraps off an all new Transformer Prime (the TF700T) here at CES, which is presumably designed to rival Acer's newly-announced Iconia Tab A700."

There are tons of new devices being announced at CES right now! How about a new ASUS Transformer Prime TF700T. It's a 10.1" quad-core tablet but with a 1.3GHz Tegra 3 CPU/GPU and a 1920x1200 Super IPS+ display!!! It also just weighs over a pound and will come with Ice Cream Sandwich! It will be compatible with the current tPrime keyboard/battery dock and is due to hit North America next quarter.

If you've been eyeing up the Kindle Fire you may want to consider the ASUS Eee Pad MeMO (ME171). It has a 7" 1280x800 IPS display and a 1.2GHz Qualcomm CPU/GPU along with 1GB of RAM and 16 or 32GB of built in storage. The Eee Pad MeMO will also ship with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Make sure you check the article for all the details on both of these tablets. Does either of these look like what you've been waiting for?


Tuesday, January 3, 2012

ASUS Announces Bootloader Unlocking Tool and ICS for Transformer Prime

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.slashgear.com/asus-trans...nlock-03205655/

"ASUS has announced that due to the response they’ve had on the subject, they’ll be releasing a bootloader unlock tool for the device as well! Developers and hackers alike will be able to work with their NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core toting Transformer Prime on an intimate level, and will be able to do it with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as well, starting on January 12th, 2012!"

In case you missed it there was a public outcry due to the locked bootloader on the Transformer Prime over the weekend. Because of that ASUS said it will release a bootloader unlocking tool on January 12 and also start pushing out Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) to the Transformer Prime at the same time!!! This should make everyone happy! I'm impressed that they'll have ICS ready for the Transformer Prime so soon. Hopefully this will push other manufactures to get on the ball and release ICS for their devices sooner rather than later.


Monday, December 12, 2011

Unofficial Ice Cream Sandwich Build for the Kindle Fire

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 11:00 AM

http://liliputing.com/2011/12/andro...officially.html

"Sure, installing CyanogenMod 7 on an Amazon Kindle Fire is cool and all. But xda-developers forum member x1011999 decided to skip Android 2.3 Gingerbread and port Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich to run on Amazon’s $199 tablet."

The Kindle Fire has some decent hardware in it. While it only has 512MB of RAM, a little light especially for a tablet, it does have a dual-core 1GHz OMAP CPU and a decent SGX540 GPU. The Ice Cream Sandwich build for the Fire is still in the early stages. Basic features like audio and WiFi are not working. But if you like to play with bleeding edge ROMs on new hardware you should definitely look into this a little more. Check out the source article for a video of ICS in action on the Kindle Fire.


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Ice Cream Sandwich Source Code Released

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Android Software" @ 05:00 PM

http://groups.google.com/group/andr...42667a85f?pli=1

"Hi! We just released a bit of code we thought this group might be interested in."

Want to play with Ice Cream Sandwich? Well now you can - just get a developer setup going and download the code!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Coming November 14th to the US: HTC Rezound

Posted by Karey Westfall in "HTC Android Phones" @ 09:30 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/...zound-unveiled/

"HTC's Rezound first leaked its way into our gadget-lusting hearts in late summer. Then bearing the virile Vigor codename, we suspected a heartily specced, Beats Audio-branded destiny for the device. And today's official unveiling doesn't disappoint, setting this 4.3-inch handset on a 4G course for Verizon's LTE airwaves."

It has been announced that HTC and Verizon will release the HTC Rezound November 14th! This new phone will be the first phone in the US to feature Beats Audio which promises to deliver an "introduction of advanced audio and high-definition visual experience". Also arriving with the Beats Audio is a 8 megapixel camera, Sense 3.5 on top of Gingerbread 2.3.4 (and Ice Cream Sandwich-ready), 16 GB internal storage, 1 GB RAM as well as those totally cool Beats headphones. With a contract, expect to pick up the new phone at $299.99, which is a steal considering that the headphones alone cost about $150!


Monday, November 7, 2011

HTC Announces ICS Specifics

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Android Software" @ 05:00 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/07/...dwich-upgrades/

"It's been a little over two weeks since Google unveiled Ice Cream Sandwich along with its first ambassador, the Galaxy Nexus."

Want some more information on Ice Cream Sandwich and where/when/if your phone will get it? Engadget's got more as well as the official word from HTC's mouth!


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Google and Samsung Announce Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 10:30 AM

http://lifehacker.com/5851162/first...-cream-sandwich

"Google just unveiled their new Nexus phone, the Galaxy Nexus, along with a preview of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, coming to phones next year. Here's a look at the creamy new update to the Android operating system."

Yesterday Google introduced the newest version of Android, version 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. Along with Google, Samsung was there to unveil the newest Nexus phone, the Galaxy Nexus. Ice Cream Sandwich has been anticipated for quite a while now. It's the first version of Android to combine the phone (under version 3) and tablet (version 3.x) versions of the Android OS back into one version 4.0 for both form factors. In doing that Google has brought a number of features and UI characteristics from the tablet version over for Android phones to use as well. They redesigned a lot of the interface and added tons of new features like Face Unlock and new app level data usage details and controls. Follow the "Read" link to see more of the new features.

I love the look of Ice Cream Sandwich. They say they revamped the UI and while it still looks like Android it does look cleaner and better. I'm glad they brought things like stacks and scrollable widgets over from Honeycomb. I also love their phone implementation of the Honeycomb multitasking interface.

Don't forget to check out the latest Nexus phone - the Galaxy Nexus. It's a high-end phone for sure with 1GB of RAM, a dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, huge 720x1280 4.65" Super AMOLED display, a barometer, NFC, and most everything else you would expect. Some will be disappointed that the rear camera is only 5MP or by the lack of a microSD card slot. The Galaxy Nexus will be available in November.


Friday, October 14, 2011

Google To Unveil Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, Oct. 18 in Hong Kong

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 02:00 PM

http://gizmodo.com/5849587/your-fir...h-happens-oct19

"If you recall, the event was planned for two days ago, but was postponed—the official line being that it was out of respect for the passing of Steve."

Google has announced that Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich, will be announced in Hong Kong on Oct. 18 at 10:00pm Eastern time. This location may sound odd to you but it also happens to be where Google's Andy Rubin was scheduled to speak before the date was moved. You can watch the event live on YouTube. Along with Google at the event will be Samsung to show off their new Galaxy Nexus/Droid Prime/Droid Nexus/Nexus Prime that's designed to run the new OS. Ice Cream Sandwich will be the first version of Android to combine the phone version of Android withe the tablet version of Android. I can't wait to see what other changes are on the way!


Ice Cream Sandwich's Music Player

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Android Software" @ 11:30 AM

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/1...trols-and-more/

"In short -- everything. Music 4.0.1 bring a new interface with more options, better controls, and an all around cleaner look. Let's have a look at the old and the new, shall we?"

A new version of Google Music Beta is floating around, reportedly from the next major version of Android (Ice Cream Sandwich). It looks pretty sweet </badpun>!


Sunday, September 11, 2011

Schmidt: Ice Cream Sandwich in Q4

Posted by Jon Westfall in "Android News" @ 07:30 AM

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...tm_campaign=rss

"At the Google I/O event earlier this year, the search giant said that Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) would be the next major version of its Android mobile operating system. A launch date wasn't disclosed at the time, but it was expected to surface in the fourth quarter."

Ice Cream Sandwich hasn't had an official release date given, but sometime by the end of the year we'll hopefully start seeing this little Android gift sent out. What's after Ice Cream Sandwich? Jelly Bean is what I hear!


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ASUS' Padfone Brings A Cool Summery Treat Just In Time For the Holidays

Posted by Karey Westfall in "Android Slates/Tablets & Accessories" @ 10:30 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/30/...dfone-launch-v/

"We just got to spend some quality time with ASUS' newly unveiled Padfone and you can see the smartphone that doubles up as a tablet on video after the break."

Is it too early to start thinking about the holidays again? ASUS doesn't think so! They are working on the Padfone, a smartphone/tablet combo, and hope it will be released later this year. It isn't official, but they have hinted that it may ship with Ice Cream Sandwich. If we find out more details we will let you know!


Thursday, May 12, 2011

What Features do Android Honeycomb 3.1 and Ice Cream Sandwich bring to the Table?

Posted by Craig Horlacher in "Android News" @ 04:00 AM

http://lifehacker.com/5800417/the-n...-cream-sandwich

"Google's upcoming Android 3.1 is coming for tablets, of course, but it's also improving Google TV's interface. Even better, Google TV gets the Android Market as well."

"The Ice Cream Sandwich release, on the other hand, doesn't have a release date, but will put all of Honeycomb's new features into phones. One new feature is facial detection with the camera, so video chat will automatically focus on the speaker who's talking (if there are multiple ones)"

This week at the Google IO conference two significant new versions of Android have been officially announced. One is Android 3.1, the next version of the tablet optimized Honeycomb OS, and the other is Ice Cream Sandwich, which has no version number right now but is expected to be something like 3.5 or 4.0.

Android Honeycomb 3.1 is rolling out now to Verizon 3G Xoom tablets and will be available for WiFi Xooms in the coming weeks - though we don't know exactly when. Honeycomb 3.1 adds re-sizable widgets, a re-written multitasking and task switching engine, USB host support, USB input device support, and support for the hardware graphics acceleration of Flash content available to tablets in Flash 10.2 which is available in the Market now. Version 3.1 will also bring more features, including the Android Market, to Google TV devices.

While we don't know much about Ice Cream Sandwich we do know that its main goal, or at least one of them. It is to combine the two forks of Android, the one for phones and the one for tablets, into a single OS that provides different display optimizations depending on the device display size. This should make things easier on developers and hopefully combine the best of both worlds in a way that makes each better than it is on its own.


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