Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (API 14-15)

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (API 14-15)

Version 4.0

Release date October 18, 2011

Features

Major refinements to the “Holo” interface with new Roboto font family

Soft buttons from Android 3.x are now available for use on phones

Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to applications

Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style

Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages

Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar

Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)

Improved error correction on the keyboard

Ability to access applications directly from lock screen

Improved copy and paste functionality

Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation

Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software

Automatic syncing of browser with users’ Chrome bookmarks

Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded

Ability to shut down applications from the recent apps list with a swipe

Improved camera application with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording

Built-in photo editor

New gallery layout, organized by location and person

Refreshed “People” application with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images

Android Beam, a near-field communication feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data

Support for the WebP image format

Hardware acceleration of the UI

Wi-Fi Direct

1080p video recording for stock Android devices

Android VPN Framework (AVF), and TUN (but not TAP) kernel module. Prior to 4.0, VPN software required rooted Android.

Numerous bugfixes and optimizations

Improvements to graphics, databases, spell-checking and Bluetooth functionality

New APIs for developers, including a social stream API in the Contacts provider

Calendar provider enhancements

New camera applications enhancing video stabilization and QVGA resolution

Accessibility refinements such as improved content access for screen readers