In October, I suggested that more than half of all Android devices would run Android 4.0 or better within four to six months. My time was just about up, but it happened as planned. That’s good for developers and for end users. Read more »
Gmail for Android gains some great enhancements that everyone will likely want, but only devices running Android 4.0 or better can get right now. Pinch to zoom in email, swipe to archive and fit to screen are some of the more impressive features. Read more »
Android’s fragmentation continues to recede with new data showing 28.5 percent of Google phones and tablets now running either Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean. The software’s pace of change has slowed and more devices are shipping with the newest software. Read more »
One of Google’s biggest Android challenges has been devices running various versions of the software. But two things have happened that are helping the issue disappear as 1 in 4 Android devices now run the Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean versions of Android. Read more »
Android 4.0 is finally getting out on phones and tablets according to Google’s dashboard. Surprisingly, the next version, Jelly Bean, is gaining adoption quickly too. Google’s Wallet now supports more credit and debit cards while T-Mobile’s Galaxy Note blurs the lines between smartphone and tablet. Read more »
Android 4.0 is making adoption gains thanks to software upgrades and new devices on sale with the Ice Cream Sandwich software. Nearly 1 percent of devices run Android 4.1 thanks to Google’s Nexus device program and strong demand for the company’s 7-inch slate. Read more »
Samsung’s “phamous phablet”, the 5.3-inch Galaxy Note, continues to improve thanks to an update to Android 4.0 for AT&T device owners. T-Mobile has Galaxy Note support documents on line, so it’s likely to get the device soon. Maybe there’s a market for extra-large phones after all? Read more »
After showing off its high-end Transformer Prime at CES, the wait for the newest Asus tablet is nearly over: The renamed Transformer Pad Infinity TF700 launches in the U.S. the week of July 16 and will cost $499 for a 32 GB model. Read more »
We knew international roaming was coming to Verizon’s LTE phones, but on Friday Verizon is finally turning it on two of its devices, the Motorola Razr and the Razr Maxx, as part of the same update that upgrades those handsets to Ice Cream Sandwich. Read more »
Starting in July, eight different Samsung Galaxy Tab models will see a software upgrade to Google Android 4.0; a.k.a. Ice Cream Sandwich. The Touch Wiz user interface is surely part of the upgrade, but might some software features from the Galaxy S III be included too? Read more »
Toshiba is set to add another choice to the small slate market: the company will soon sell the Excite 7.7 tablet running on the latest version of Google Android. Here’s a first look video and early impressions of the 16 GB tablet with Wi-Fi. Read more »
Motorola explained why certain smartphones and tablets it makes won’t be getting the Google Android 4.0 software update. Not all Motorola device owners are happy though; especially those that bought a Droid 3 in the past 10 months. These folks are stuck on Android 2.3. Read more »
The good news: HTC Sensation owners on T-Mobile’s network are getting a software update to Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich along with HTC Sense 3.6. The bad news: It will cost $14.99 monthly to keep using the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Read more »
For developers, consumers and even carriers, Android seems irreparably broken. But Google’s not likely to “fix” Android anytime soon, because despite the fragmentation problem, the company is getting what it wants: massive amounts of user data. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
The T-Mobile HTC One S launches on April 25 with Android 4.0 and Sense. The phone is a supposed triple threat in the areas of design, audio and camera capabilities. I’ve been testing the HTC One S to see if it lives up to that billing. Read more »
Samsung Galaxy S II handsets not tied to a carrier no longer have to wait for their Android 4.0 upgrade. Unlocked Galaxy S II phones can now download and install the software, known as Ice Cream Sandwich, which also includes a fresh version of Samsung’s TouchWiz. Read more »
A trio of new Toshiba tablets are on the way ranging in size from 7.7-, 10- and 13-inches with the new Excite 13, With the large display, however, comes a large price: The Excite 13 will start at $649.99 when it arrives on June 10. Read more »
Lenovo released a video overview of its newest slate, the IdeaTab S2109. The 8.9 millimeter Android 4.0 tablet with 9.7-inch display doesn’t have an official price, but there are a few clues indicating that this IdeaPad will be priced at or below Apple’s $399 iPad 2. Read more »
Google is rolling out Android 4.0.4 software upgrades to several devices: the GSM Galaxy Nexus and Nexus S handsets as well as Motorola’s Wi-Fi Xoom tablet will all see the software delivered over the air. Other devices will see it soon but that’s not comforting. Read more »
The stylus for Samsung’s Galaxy Note may put some people off, but the company is trying to add value to the accessory with new software. AT&T has announced which phones will next see the Ice Cream Sandwich update, while Acer debuted a new Iconia Tab slate. Read more »
Google Voice on Android 4.0 devices gained a software update on Thursday, allowing users to listen to their Google voicemail directly in the native phone app. This type of integration is unlikely to appear on competing platforms, giving Android a potential differentiator. Read more »
Samsung’s Android 4.0 update for the Galaxy S II smartphone shows few visible differences. As expected, the company’s TouchWiz interface appears in the update, but it completely hides the visual improvements that Google made with Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich. Read more »
HTC expanded its list of devices that will see the Ice Cream Sandwich software, which now totals 16 smartphones. Noticeably absent from the list is the HTC Flyer, the company’s 7-inch slate. Why is that? It’s likely due to the dual-digitizer and meager sales. Read more »
Four months after Google Android 4.0 arrived, handset makers are starting to update older phones. Samsung and Motorola recently announced upgrade plans, and the U.S. is low on both lists. But handsets in Europe and Asia are already getting the software. Is it our carriers? Read more »
The industry has moved beyond starry-eyed soothsaying about a world of 50 billion connected devices to start talking about how these mammoth networks of objects and appliances would actually work and how they would be managed. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Verizon published the list of devices it plans to upgrade to Android 4.0, and all but one share a common feature: LTE. Verizon is likely trying to get more consumers on its LTE network as these phones will offer a better experience to new smartphone customers. Read more »
Broadcom claims that all of that hardware and functionality found in high-end devices smartphones like the the Galaxy Nexus can be had for half of the cost. On Monday at Mobile World Congress it’s unveiling the silicon component of that low-cost equation. Read more »
Nuance added support for Ice Cream Sandwich, or Android 4.0, in the latest beta of its Swype software keyboard on Thursday. The new version has a limited audience base, but Swype is getting ready for devices as they gain the update to Android 4.0. Read more »
What’s that wedding rhyme: “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? Samsung has taken it to heart with its Galaxy Tab 2. The 7-inch slate borrows the Galaxy Tab 7 Plus form-factor and display and adds Android 4.0, Google’s Ice Cream Sandwich software for tablets. Read more »
Google merged its Chrome browser with Android today and I’m thrilled to see it. The Chrome beta is fast and it has a clean interface. If you’re a Chrome user on the desktop, Chrome for Android can open whatever webpage you’re browsing on the PC. Read more »
This year’s CES was the biggest in the show’s 44-year history. It boasted 15 miles of exhibit hall aisles, 3,100 booths and 153,000 attendees. It is easy to be jaded by the endlessly repetitive products, but the thousands of innovations point toward a future of connectivity. Read more at GigaOM Pro »
Google TV devices from Sony received an update based on Android Honeycomb 3.2 this week, and Logitech’s Revue will be updated in the near future. This is the last major update for the platform before Ice Cream sandwich, which is rumored to come before year’s end. Read more »
Mint’s financial management app for Android makes the move from phones to tablets on Wednesday. The software offers the same functionality as Mint’s iPad app, which is experiencing much higher take-up rates on tablets compared to smartphones. Here’s why Mint hopes for the same on Android. Read more »
Android was everywhere at this month’s CES, but many products don’t hit retail shelves for months. Acer broke that tradition, releasing the A200 tablet this week. It should see Android 4.0 soon, just like the Xoom recently did. Plus my pick for app of the week. Read more »
Acer introduced its A200 tablet at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier in January, and unlike many products shown at the event, this one is already available for sale in the U.S. Is it worth the money, considering it uses technology that was available a year ago? Read more »
In October, Google debuted Android 4.0, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, to unify tablets and smartphones. But does it really accomplish that? It’s too early to tell, but the current version has some inconsistencies noted by Jason Perlow, and I can’t disagree with him. Read more »
Google (NSDQ: GOOG) today took one more step towards getting its device partners and developers in line when it comes to using its Android o… Read more at paidContent »
Given my love for 7-inch tablets, I had to swing by Huawei’s booth at the Consumer Electronics Show. The Chinese company is showing off its MediaPad tablet with Android 4.0 and beautiful IPS display. Here’s a look at the light, thin and capable 7-inch slate. Read more »
At CES, Motorola announced a new Droid for Verizon’s LTE network that appears to be a combination of all of its Android smartphones released to date. Meanwhile, LG got cinematic with LTE’s video stream capabilities, announcing a new HD phone, while Samsung unveiled its Tab 7.7. Read more »
A TV that features voice control, facial recognition, thousands of apps, a game pad and 3-D video?No, it’s not the rumored Apple TV, but a new Smart TV made by Lenovo that’s based on the latest version 4.0 of Google’s Android OS. Read more »
