Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
Hopefully, someone on XDA will drop that Roboto font so I can use it on my phone. I like the way it looks.
My Garage
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: NY
That's the one negative about CM, he makes official releases less exciting.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
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From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Here's what's new so far:
Source: http://www.androidguys.com/2011/10/1...ream-sandwich/
I'm sure there's more features they didn't cover today. Can't wait for some ICS.
- Designed with 16:9 1280x720 as the native resolution
- New "Roboto" font throughout OS
- Navigation buttons are virtual, but can hide when not in need
- Side swiping will be used across the platform (say goodbye to scrolling apps menu)
- Make folders by dragging and dropping icons onto each-other
- App launch is now customizable
- Quick application switching with previews (swipe a preview off screen to remove from list)
- Built-in screenshot taking
- Improved notifications, including music controls
- Swipe to remove individual notifications (ehem, kang'd from CyanogenMod?)
- New and improved keyboard with in-line spell checker
- Improved cut, copy, and paste, usable throughout OS
- Instant talk to text
- Face Unlock!!!!
- Redesigned Google Apps
- All new browser that syncs with Chrome from your desktop (and much more)
- Completely new Gmail experience (it's awesome)
- Pinch-to-zoom in calendar
- Data usage management
- New camera with easier sharing capabilities, panorama mode, 0 shutter lag, etc.
- Photo editing capabilities
- Take photos while recording video
- People app that pulls info from all services that are linked
- Full-screen high res pics during calls and ability to reject calls with quick response message
- New phone app with built-in visual voicemail
- Android Beam - allows you to send things via NFC by just touching phones together
- New "Roboto" font throughout OS
- Navigation buttons are virtual, but can hide when not in need
- Side swiping will be used across the platform (say goodbye to scrolling apps menu)
- Make folders by dragging and dropping icons onto each-other
- App launch is now customizable
- Quick application switching with previews (swipe a preview off screen to remove from list)
- Built-in screenshot taking
- Improved notifications, including music controls
- Swipe to remove individual notifications (ehem, kang'd from CyanogenMod?)
- New and improved keyboard with in-line spell checker
- Improved cut, copy, and paste, usable throughout OS
- Instant talk to text
- Face Unlock!!!!
- Redesigned Google Apps
- All new browser that syncs with Chrome from your desktop (and much more)
- Completely new Gmail experience (it's awesome)
- Pinch-to-zoom in calendar
- Data usage management
- New camera with easier sharing capabilities, panorama mode, 0 shutter lag, etc.
- Photo editing capabilities
- Take photos while recording video
- People app that pulls info from all services that are linked
- Full-screen high res pics during calls and ability to reject calls with quick response message
- New phone app with built-in visual voicemail
- Android Beam - allows you to send things via NFC by just touching phones together
I'm sure there's more features they didn't cover today. Can't wait for some ICS.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Good read on Matias Duarte's vision of ICS from TIMN:
http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/18/e...-galaxy-nexus/
http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/18/e...-galaxy-nexus/
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Some more features from Dan Morrill
Source: https://plus.google.com/u/0/11241386...ts/DDTKFhiDS9U
MAN I can't tell you how awesome it is to have Galaxy Nexus and ICS public. Now I can talk about it a little. 
Here are some of my favorite features not covered in the launch demo.
Updated Settings
We've seriously revamped the Settings screen organization. Items are arranged much better now, and it's easier and usually fewer actions to find what you are looking for.
Disabling Apps
ICS adds the ability to disable an app outright. Don't like an app that came preinstalled? Disable it! Its resources never run and its launcher icon is gone until you re-enable it. (This doesn't free up any space -- it can't, since pre-installed apps are included in the read-only system storage. But it does put them "out of sight, out of mind.")
Camera Controls
The camera controls have been redesigned and are easier to find and mess around with.
Improved Download Manager
It looks better and is easier to find and use, and to see and clear any downloads you might have.
Support for Encryption for Phones
Honeycomb added full-device encryption, but ICS brings it to phones.
Audio Effects
There's a new audio effects API. Nuff said, really.
Here are some of my favorite features not covered in the launch demo.
Updated Settings
We've seriously revamped the Settings screen organization. Items are arranged much better now, and it's easier and usually fewer actions to find what you are looking for.
Disabling Apps
ICS adds the ability to disable an app outright. Don't like an app that came preinstalled? Disable it! Its resources never run and its launcher icon is gone until you re-enable it. (This doesn't free up any space -- it can't, since pre-installed apps are included in the read-only system storage. But it does put them "out of sight, out of mind.")
Camera Controls
The camera controls have been redesigned and are easier to find and mess around with.
Improved Download Manager
It looks better and is easier to find and use, and to see and clear any downloads you might have.
Support for Encryption for Phones
Honeycomb added full-device encryption, but ICS brings it to phones.
Audio Effects
There's a new audio effects API. Nuff said, really.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
More extensive change log for ICS:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/and...ighlights.html
http://developer.android.com/sdk/and...ighlights.html
Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth HDP
Support for Wi-Fi Direct lets users connect directly to nearby peer devices over Wi-Fi, for more reliable, higher-speed communication. No internet connection or tethering is needed. Through third-party apps, users can connect to compatible devices to take advantage of new features such as instant sharing of files, photos, or other media; streaming video or audio from another device; or connecting to compatible printers or other devices.
Android 4.0 also introduces built-in support for connecting to Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) devices. With support from third-party apps, users can connect to wireless medical devices and sensors in hospitals, fitness centers, homes, and elsewhere. In addition, for connecting to higher quality Bluetooth audio devices, Android 4.0 adds support for Bluetooth Hands Free Profile (HFP) 1.6.
Support for Wi-Fi Direct lets users connect directly to nearby peer devices over Wi-Fi, for more reliable, higher-speed communication. No internet connection or tethering is needed. Through third-party apps, users can connect to compatible devices to take advantage of new features such as instant sharing of files, photos, or other media; streaming video or audio from another device; or connecting to compatible printers or other devices.
Android 4.0 also introduces built-in support for connecting to Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) devices. With support from third-party apps, users can connect to wireless medical devices and sensors in hospitals, fitness centers, homes, and elsewhere. In addition, for connecting to higher quality Bluetooth audio devices, Android 4.0 adds support for Bluetooth Hands Free Profile (HFP) 1.6.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Roboto font from ICS:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1309557
XDA ftw!
It reminds me of the iPhone's Helvetica Neue. A modified lighter version of it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1309557
XDA ftw!
It reminds me of the iPhone's Helvetica Neue. A modified lighter version of it.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
alright just caught up with everything haha, was late to the party.
Lol you didnt know CM7 had the swipe to clear notifications
In the beginning I wasnt good at it, you had to get the proper swipe in.
I'm sure on ICS they made it smooth.
I like the new face to unlock part. That looks pretty cool! Nice security feature, although there is probably a required backup. I wonder how it knows you want to do face to unlock from the lockscreen.
The camera app looks a lot more robust. I like it. I hope they improved on the sensor from the NS. Or took the one straight from the GSII because that camera is good.
Thisismynext said there was some shutter lag and it wasnt as smooth as iOS?
THey also said they dont like all the plastic.
Ohh there's also a confirmation that its coming to the NS, but we all knew that would be a given
I hope it runs well on my phone!
I love the resizing widgets part! And all the swiping thing. New spell checker is nice.
And apparently they're more consistent throughout the android system. Thats good.
New browser looks nice, I wonder if they improved the speed of it? I'm sure they did. Actually I wonder how the speed of the whole system is now.
Overall I'm impressed.
I'm excited! I hope I get facial recognition, all the new updated apps, and launcher.
Lol you didnt know CM7 had the swipe to clear notifications
In the beginning I wasnt good at it, you had to get the proper swipe in.
I'm sure on ICS they made it smooth.
I like the new face to unlock part. That looks pretty cool! Nice security feature, although there is probably a required backup. I wonder how it knows you want to do face to unlock from the lockscreen.
The camera app looks a lot more robust. I like it. I hope they improved on the sensor from the NS. Or took the one straight from the GSII because that camera is good.
Thisismynext said there was some shutter lag and it wasnt as smooth as iOS?
THey also said they dont like all the plastic.
Ohh there's also a confirmation that its coming to the NS, but we all knew that would be a given
I hope it runs well on my phone!I love the resizing widgets part! And all the swiping thing. New spell checker is nice.
And apparently they're more consistent throughout the android system. Thats good.
New browser looks nice, I wonder if they improved the speed of it? I'm sure they did. Actually I wonder how the speed of the whole system is now.
Overall I'm impressed.
I'm excited! I hope I get facial recognition, all the new updated apps, and launcher.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,012
Likes: 439
From: SoCal
You have a N1 right?
Are you rooted? That will def be one way to get it before google releases it to the N1, I think.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Yeah that swipe to clear notifications was new to me. Haha. Been on MIUI too long to know about it until today. I keep switching between MIUI and CM7 but CM7 is a lot faster for whatever reason.
I don't see why the Nexus One wouldn't get it. If it doesn't come from Google, Cyanogenmod will definitely bring it along with the other phones.
I don't see why the Nexus One wouldn't get it. If it doesn't come from Google, Cyanogenmod will definitely bring it along with the other phones.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
^Sprint might not be getting it:
Source: https://plus.google.com/106631699076...ts/VzBGTHV9NRt
It looks like Sprint signed its fate with the iPhone deal. The transition from WiMax to LTE is probably another reason. They'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
- Dear Sprint Android Customers,
Before you drop butthurt at Google for not supporting Sprint with the Galaxy Nexus, I would like to remind you of this...
Sprint agreed to buy 20 billion dollars in iPhones over the next four years. Phones that, for at least the next year, don't have Wi-Max, LTE, anything.
- Wanna talk about exclusive periods? Let's talk about that non-compete agreement Apple made Sprint sign, the one that gives Apple 30 days of dominance on their network.
- All three networks. Same day. End of November.
Before you drop butthurt at Google for not supporting Sprint with the Galaxy Nexus, I would like to remind you of this...
Sprint agreed to buy 20 billion dollars in iPhones over the next four years. Phones that, for at least the next year, don't have Wi-Max, LTE, anything.
- Wanna talk about exclusive periods? Let's talk about that non-compete agreement Apple made Sprint sign, the one that gives Apple 30 days of dominance on their network.
- All three networks. Same day. End of November.
It looks like Sprint signed its fate with the iPhone deal. The transition from WiMax to LTE is probably another reason. They'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
My Garage
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,386
Likes: 11
From: NY
alright just caught up with everything haha, was late to the party.
Lol you didnt know CM7 had the swipe to clear notifications
In the beginning I wasnt good at it, you had to get the proper swipe in.
I'm sure on ICS they made it smooth.
I like the new face to unlock part. That looks pretty cool! Nice security feature, although there is probably a required backup. I wonder how it knows you want to do face to unlock from the lockscreen.
The camera app looks a lot more robust. I like it. I hope they improved on the sensor from the NS. Or took the one straight from the GSII because that camera is good.
Thisismynext said there was some shutter lag and it wasnt as smooth as iOS?
THey also said they dont like all the plastic.
Ohh there's also a confirmation that its coming to the NS, but we all knew that would be a given I hope it runs well on my phone!
I love the resizing widgets part! And all the swiping thing. New spell checker is nice.
And apparently they're more consistent throughout the android system. Thats good.
New browser looks nice, I wonder if they improved the speed of it? I'm sure they did. Actually I wonder how the speed of the whole system is now.
Overall I'm impressed.
I'm excited! I hope I get facial recognition, all the new updated apps, and launcher.
Lol you didnt know CM7 had the swipe to clear notifications
In the beginning I wasnt good at it, you had to get the proper swipe in.
I'm sure on ICS they made it smooth.
I like the new face to unlock part. That looks pretty cool! Nice security feature, although there is probably a required backup. I wonder how it knows you want to do face to unlock from the lockscreen.
The camera app looks a lot more robust. I like it. I hope they improved on the sensor from the NS. Or took the one straight from the GSII because that camera is good.
Thisismynext said there was some shutter lag and it wasnt as smooth as iOS?
THey also said they dont like all the plastic.
Ohh there's also a confirmation that its coming to the NS, but we all knew that would be a given
I hope it runs well on my phone!I love the resizing widgets part! And all the swiping thing. New spell checker is nice.
And apparently they're more consistent throughout the android system. Thats good.
New browser looks nice, I wonder if they improved the speed of it? I'm sure they did. Actually I wonder how the speed of the whole system is now.
Overall I'm impressed.
I'm excited! I hope I get facial recognition, all the new updated apps, and launcher.
Android Browser
The Browser application adds the following features to support web applications:
Updated V8 JavaScript compiler for faster performance
Plus other notable enhancements carried over from Android 3.0 are now available for handsets:
Support for fixed position elements on all pages
HTML media capture
Device orientation events
CSS 3D transformations
The Browser application adds the following features to support web applications:
Updated V8 JavaScript compiler for faster performance
Plus other notable enhancements carried over from Android 3.0 are now available for handsets:
Support for fixed position elements on all pages
HTML media capture
Device orientation events
CSS 3D transformations
Across all types of content, the Android Browser offers dramatically improved page rendering performance through updated versions of the WebKit core and the V8 Crankshaft compilation engine for JavaScript. In benchmarks run on a Nexus S device, the Android 4.0 browser showed an improvement of nearly 220% over the Android 2.3 browser in the V8 Benchmark Suite and more than 35% in the SunSpider 9.1 JavaScript Benchmark. When run on a Galaxy Nexus device, the Android 4.0 browser showed improvement of nearly 550% in the V8 benchmark and nearly 70% in the SunSpider benchmark.
Last edited by GIBSON6594; Oct 19, 2011 at 08:58 AM.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
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Find me an iPhone owner who keeps his/her device for 3 years, please.
Don't most just keep upgrading every time Apple releases a new iPhone?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 19
From: Pleasant Hill, CA
^Sprint might not be getting it:
Source: https://plus.google.com/106631699076...ts/VzBGTHV9NRt
It looks like Sprint signed its fate with the iPhone deal. The transition from WiMax to LTE is probably another reason. They'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
Source: https://plus.google.com/106631699076...ts/VzBGTHV9NRt
It looks like Sprint signed its fate with the iPhone deal. The transition from WiMax to LTE is probably another reason. They'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
Get your shit together Sprint
Thread Starter
Be Strong AND Courageous!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 9,305
Likes: 43
From: Joshua 1:1-9
^sprint might not be getting it:
source: https://plus.google.com/106631699076...ts/vzbgthv9nrt
it looks like sprint signed its fate with the iphone deal. The transition from wimax to lte is probably another reason. they'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
source: https://plus.google.com/106631699076...ts/vzbgthv9nrt
it looks like sprint signed its fate with the iphone deal. The transition from wimax to lte is probably another reason. they'll probably get it but it'll be later than the other three.
Thread Starter
Be Strong AND Courageous!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 9,305
Likes: 43
From: Joshua 1:1-9
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
TIMN has some pics:
http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/19/i...ndwich-tablet/
It looks like Honeycomb for the most part. But that's to be expected.
So true.
http://thisismynext.com/2011/10/19/i...ndwich-tablet/
It looks like Honeycomb for the most part. But that's to be expected.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
The reason for the browser getting that much more improvement is because of the Hardware acceleration that ICS brings. Honeycomb brought it to the tablets. ICS brings it to the phones. Overall, the swiping, menus and all that stuff will be hardware accelerated now.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I'm looking forward to WiFi Direct:
Source: http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/10...-wi-fi-direct/
Think of it as Bluetooth Connect but using WiFi. The Galaxy S II has this built into it already but ICS will bring it to all devices that are WiFi Direct certified I'm guessing. The original Galaxy S has it and I believe the LG G2X but never utilized until maybe now.
Although it wasn't announced alongside the plethora of other features during the Ice Cream Sandwich event, Wi-Fi Direct may prove to be one of the more important and revolutionary features of the new OS. In the old days Bluetooth was the standard method of device to device data transfer, but now with Ice Cream Sandwich we are given Wi-Fi Direct and Android Beam. The latter uses NFC to transfer links, media, and other data, while the former is an interesting implementation of the wireless standard which creates ad-hoc networks between compatible devices.
Wi-Fi Direct works by letting users connect directly to nearby devices over Wi-Fi, without any tethering or data connectivity required. Users need only have two Wi-Fi Direct compatible devices to connect and transfer files, stream video and audio, and connect to printers or other compatible devices. The Wi-Fi Direct connection is a lot speedier than Bluetooth and it also works over much larger distances.
I have had the Wi-Fi Direct app on my Samsung Galaxy SII phone for some time now and have had no problems with it. However, the app is built into Samsung's custom ROM TouchWiz and it is not a part of Android 2.3 Gingerbread (the version running on the Galaxy SII). So, the integration of Wi-Fi Direct into the Android OS in Ice Cream Sandwich is great news for other Android manufacturers.
For more information on Wi-Fi Direct check out the Android 4.0 developer notes.
Wi-Fi Direct works by letting users connect directly to nearby devices over Wi-Fi, without any tethering or data connectivity required. Users need only have two Wi-Fi Direct compatible devices to connect and transfer files, stream video and audio, and connect to printers or other compatible devices. The Wi-Fi Direct connection is a lot speedier than Bluetooth and it also works over much larger distances.
I have had the Wi-Fi Direct app on my Samsung Galaxy SII phone for some time now and have had no problems with it. However, the app is built into Samsung's custom ROM TouchWiz and it is not a part of Android 2.3 Gingerbread (the version running on the Galaxy SII). So, the integration of Wi-Fi Direct into the Android OS in Ice Cream Sandwich is great news for other Android manufacturers.
For more information on Wi-Fi Direct check out the Android 4.0 developer notes.
Think of it as Bluetooth Connect but using WiFi. The Galaxy S II has this built into it already but ICS will bring it to all devices that are WiFi Direct certified I'm guessing. The original Galaxy S has it and I believe the LG G2X but never utilized until maybe now.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
http://androidandme.com/2011/10/news...vice-near-you/
Moderator
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From: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
I thought so too but it didn't or maybe only certain elements were able to use it. Honeycomb got it for sure. ICS will definitely have it though. Its in the SDK changelogs. Its also why ICS looks so smooth compared to Gingerbread.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Google is awesome:PBxi1.png
All because of this:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=20386
Am I the only one thats not really impressed by the Prime? The software looks great, and the phone itself looks great, Im just not impressed by the spec sheet.
I need to play with it though. I wouldn't be surprised if its much like the NS, underwhelming spec sheet but performs great.
I need to play with it though. I wouldn't be surprised if its much like the NS, underwhelming spec sheet but performs great.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 295
From: LA, CA
Yeah I think if they released it with Galaxy S II specs it would've been a no brainer. The biggest thing going for the Galaxy Prime is the 720p display and buttonless screen. Otherwise, the Galaxy S II bests it.
My Garage
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,386
Likes: 11
From: NY
Only certain elements were HW accelerated in GB. I think the notification pulldown and the app tray.