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Android 4.0 features

semus

Android Enthusiast
the new android 4.0 looks pretty cool, lots of new features and stuff...:
Check it out.

the NFC features look cool - if you're on a website or looking at a contact or whatever, just put your phone next to someone else's and it will let you choose "Beam", and it automatically sends it to him: Watch it here.

it looks very good.. i hope it will come to the S2..
 
yeah some new features look great.. unfortunately the S2 is not equipped with NFC.. but yeah, hope the update finds its way over here soon!
 
i read something to say S2 should get it - most phones capable of 2.3.4 should be ok for it.

Any ideas on timelines? I think this will kick Apples bum into touch!
 
The Nexus will have it first of course give it a couple of weeks and Xda may have a unofficial version for us.
 
Any ideas on timelines?

Officially? No, and I wouldn't expect it for at least three months. This is a major version update, so a lot of work will be needed.

Unofficially? Nothing definite but v4.0 was already booting up on a G2 a few hours after the SDK became available. That's without access to the source code too, which won't be released until the update rolls out to the Nexus S, probably in time for Xmas.
 
yes, we're definitely gonna get the update on the S2 sometime, hopefully soon.. im waiting on an unofficial one, the official update would probably take a few months
 
I am new to Android and my last phone was the iPhone 4. One thing I have noticed with Android is there seems to be no consistency on versions. Depending on where you are or what device you have will dictate what version of OS you will have. I watched the announcement on Android 4.0 last night and was hoping they would announce when they would release 4.0 to everyone but that wasn't even mentioned. I think Google has some work to do in this area if they want to unseed Apple and Microsoft in the corporate space.
 
The iPhone is a fixed target hardware-wise whereas Android handsets come in a multitude of flavours. I doubt Android 4.0 will even look at my HTC Hero for example; 288MB ROM and 528MB RAM is barely adequate for a usable experience on 2.3.5. Even the Desire Z will be hard-pushed I suspect. It unreasonable to expect devices long past their EOL to remain supported when hardware has advanced so far in that time.

The closet you'll get to an iPhone experience update-wise is with a Nexus.
 
I am new to Android so excuse me for this.....

When this comes out, will I be able to upgrade to it, I have a Galaxy SII

Many Thanks
 
I am new to Android so excuse me for this.....

When this comes out, will I be able to upgrade to it, I have a Galaxy SII

Many Thanks
yes i would suggest that the S2 will get an official update to 4.0 but as stated this could be months away
 
Just for once I would love to be offered the chance to install an official stock Android rom by official means, ics is gorgeous and I don't want a touchwiz overlay with it.

I suspect rooting will be the only way :(
 
Just for once I would love to be offered the chance to install an official stock Android rom by official means, ics is gorgeous and I don't want a touchwiz overlay with it.

I suspect rooting will be the only way :(

well if you want it fast id say rooting will be useful ;)
 
Should you need to root just for a ROM?

Rooting is good for other things than just Roms.

Being able to freeze and get rid of bloatware

Software updates without having to wait for carrier branded versions

Software to make you phone run better and give it more power
 
There are many benefits to rooting as Richie has indicated, but you dont have to be rooted if you dont want to wait for official carrier branded firmware via Kies. You can just use Odin and flash the "official" firmwares, so you can still update as an when you want even when not rooted.

You DO need to be rooted to install a CUSTOM ROM however (Eg. Revolution, DlevROM etc)

Rooting will allow you to use SetCPU. Although you can overclock/undervolt with this, unless your a speed test benchmark freak you wont actually notice too much difference in terms of performance. However you might see more benefits with this application in terms of battery life.

Personally when I initially had my GS2, I was of the feeling just to keep it official, going entirely through Kies. I dilly-dallied for a couple of weeks before deciding to root and go off stock roms. Best thing I did. Makes life MUCH more interesting! :)
 
There are many benefits to rooting as Richie has indicated, but you dont have to be rooted if you dont want to wait for official carrier branded firmware via Kies. You can just use Odin and flash the "official" firmwares, so you can still update as an when you want even when not rooted.

You DO need to be rooted to install a CUSTOM ROM however (Eg. Revolution, DlevROM etc)

Rooting will allow you to use SetCPU. Although you can overclock/undervolt with this, unless your a speed test benchmark freak you wont actually notice too much difference in terms of performance. However you might see more benefits with this application in terms of battery life.

Personally when I initially had my GS2, I was of the feeling just to keep it official, going entirely through Kies. I dilly-dallied for a couple of weeks before deciding to root and go off stock roms. Best thing I did. Makes life MUCH more interesting! :)


I also rooted after some friendly badgering from the guys lol. I dont have a custom rom but love being in more control of my phone No more bloatware :). Custom Theme n Kernal and a few brill apps
 
You will if you want vanilla Android 4.0 a la Nexus on the GS2, as Samsung overlay TouchWiz on their devices the same way as HTC add Sense.

Right right. I have rooting exp, its just some people get rooting and putting ROM's on mixed up a lot. Thought for stock firware root wasnt needed.

Thanks for clarification.
 
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