Now that the most awaited update to the Android Operating System has been out, smartphone manufacturers are one by one considering to use Android 4.0 Operating System also known as the Ice Cream Sandwich on their devices.
Motorola, for one, already confirmed that an update is underway for the Motorola Xoom. Yes, even the Xoom tablet will be able to taste the flavor of the Ice Cream Sandwich. Apart from the Xoom, Motorolsa has been mum about the list of existing or upcoming devices among its turf that will be able to get the updated operating system. So far, no target date has been set or announced.
HTC on the other hand was quick to post on their Facebook Page their take on the latest Android OS. Here’s the full text of the note made by HTC:
“Since Google unveiled Ice Cream Sandwich earlier this week, HTC has been looking closely at the new OS’s features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans. We’re a recognized industry leader in providing fast and consistent upgrades to our Android devices (see what Engadget had to say about our upgrades: http://engt.co/qMb9nQ), and Ice Cream Sandwich will be no different. Upgrades require a careful balance of hardware and software to ensure the best possible performance and usability, so please stay tuned as we assess our product portfolio. Our goal is to upgrade as many HTC devices as possible and we’ll be sharing details on specific devices and timing in the coming weeks! Thanks!”
While neither HTC nor Motorola has made no mention of the handset models that will get Ice Cream Sandwich, Google assured Android users that most devices which are able to run Android 2.3 Gingerbread should have no problem when updated to Android 4.0 as there have been no known issue to date that can be considered as performance related after an update. So far, only Samsung, among phone manufacturers, has been very vocal about coming up with a new smartphone that runs the Ice Cream Sandwich, and we are referring to the flavor of the month – Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
In related news, after Google debuted their latest Android Operating System last week, the search giant, via Google Groups has revealed its plan to release the Ice Cream Sandwich source code. In line with Google’s open-source principle, Android 4.0′s APIs or Application Programming Interfaces will be open to the public “once it’s available on devices”, according to Dan Morill, a software engineer from said company.
Meanwhile, here’s what happened last week at the Google lawn in Mountain View, California when the Ice Cream Sandwich statue made its official appearance.