Samsung Galaxy Nexus Release Date: Seven More Devices Getting Ice Cream Sandwich OS
Galaxy Nexus and seven other devices will run the Android 4.0 operating system, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich.
GizmoCrunch, a technology website, reports that the Nexus One, Nexus S, Motorola Droid Bionic, DROID RAZR, ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, Transformer Prime, Pad Phone will all run on Ice Cream Sandwich.
Since the Oct. 19 unveiling of Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus at Samsung’s “Mobile Unpacked: Google Episode" media event, the Ice Cream Sandwich operating system has been ported onto two devices, the Nexus One and Nexus S.
Developers Breezy and dr1337md report successful ports of the system, but also note there a number of glitches. However, Google claims that any Android 2.3 or Gingerbread device can run Ice Cream Sandwich.
Commentators suggest that due to the NFC and Android Beam features on the new operating system, a direct download of Ice Cream Sandwich from Gingerbread is not possible.
A number of devices will be rereleased with an Ice Cream Sandwich update, including the Motorola DROID RAZR, the Motorola DROID Bionic, and Google’s Nexus One and Nexus S.
Devices such as the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime and the ASUS Pad Phone will all come, like the Galaxy Nexus, with Ice Cream Sandwich as it maiden operating system.
Geek, a technology website, suggests that other devices may receive an Ice Cream Sandwich update, but that it could take several weeks to several months to release.
Ice Cream Sandwich has introduced a number of new specs to Android, including powering both tablets and smartphones, a new custom typeface called Robato, a touch screen user interface, a lock screen featuring Face Unlock, and Android Beam.
The Ice Cream Sandwich, powered Galaxy Nexus, is expected to be released on Verizon Wireless "later this year," according to the network.