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.
10-18-2011, 10:27 PM
#3642
My Garage
That's the one negative about CM, he makes official releases less exciting.
10-18-2011, 10:30 PM
#3643
Safety Car
10-18-2011, 10:33 PM
#3644
Safety Car
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.
10-18-2011, 10:52 PM
#3646
Safety Car
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.
10-18-2011, 10:59 PM
#3648
Safety Car
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.
10-18-2011, 11:20 PM
#3650
Safety Car
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.
10-18-2011, 11:21 PM
#3651
Suzuka Master
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.
10-18-2011, 11:45 PM
#3652
Sanest Florida Man
Nexus One better get ICS too. They've confirmed Nexus S but not the N1. That'd be some bullshit. The iPhones get 3 years worth of updates so google better not stop at two....
10-18-2011, 11:52 PM
#3653
Suzuka Master
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.
10-19-2011, 12:05 AM
#3654
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 12:33 AM
#3655
Safety Car
10-19-2011, 12:57 AM
#3657
Safety Car
^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.
10-19-2011, 08:51 AM
#3658
My Garage
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; 10-19-2011 at 08:58 AM.
10-19-2011, 09:56 AM
#3659
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Age: 40
Posts: 63,235
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Did The event go over ICS on tablets or just phones?
10-19-2011, 10:12 AM
#3660
Senior Moderator
Sounds good! 
10-19-2011, 10:13 AM
#3661
Senior Moderator
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?
10-19-2011, 10:16 AM
#3662
Drifting
^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
10-19-2011, 10:18 AM
#3663
^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.
10-19-2011, 10:21 AM
#3665
Senior Moderator
The 4S owner who waited in line for the Second Coming now awaits in line for the 5 for the Second Coming.
10-19-2011, 10:22 AM
#3666
Senior Moderator
Seriously...I must ask: who waits overnight...in line...for a freaking cellphone? 
10-19-2011, 10:23 AM
#3667
Senior Moderator
Maybe the Android peeps can answer that. Cuz, I can draw a solid line for the people who line-up for their cellphones versus the people who do NOT.
The latter? Don't own iPhones.
The latter? Don't own iPhones.
10-19-2011, 10:52 AM
#3669
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 10:54 AM
#3670
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 10:57 AM
#3671
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 11:01 AM
#3674
Safety Car
http://androidandme.com/2011/10/news...vice-near-you/
10-19-2011, 11:18 AM
#3675
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Not Las Vegas (SF Bay Area)
Age: 40
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10-19-2011, 11:39 AM
#3676
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 12:35 PM
#3678
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
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.
10-19-2011, 12:37 PM
#3679
Safety Car
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.
10-19-2011, 01:19 PM
#3680
My Garage
Only certain elements were HW accelerated in GB. I think the notification pulldown and the app tray.