ICS: The differences

[Money_Mark]

Although most ICS threads are dedicated to technical questions (updating, battery life, etc) I could not find one that discussed what the new upgrades would be and how they will make my phone better. This is a great place to start.

Below is a link that came out in March, specific to ICS and GS2. It is very detailed and does a good job of explaining the performance side of the upgrade.
Samsung Galaxy S II ICS review: Sugar coated - GSMArena.com

The second link is much more ICS functionality over GNGRBRD and is more of a summary. Newer ICS functionality is really the heart of what I hope to discuss.
Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S II Ice Cream Sandwich review - Pocket-lint

And finally, a video from Taiwan showing ICS working on GS2 directly next to a GS2 using GNGRBRD. Text and video is in Chinese, but you'll get the point.
Android 4.0 vs Android 2.3 on Samsung Galaxy S2 | Ubergizmo

So, are you happy with the update? What is your favorite new upgrade? what dont you like? Does it seem more functional? Did ICS touch on all the things you hoped for? Anything left to be desired? Let's discuss!

$Mark

 

[Money_Mark]

Two things I'm not so happy about...

Face Lock - Doesnt work all the time. Seems like more of a hassle to perfectly align my face every time I try and use my phone (Heck, I hate using the basic screen lock).

Slide left to Text (from the favorites screen) - Since the favorites screen is now face tiles, you can touch a face to call, but have to add an extra step to text. Seems like the other way was easier.

$M

 

[robhs]

I have not had much time to really dig in to ICS, but it doesn't seem to be what I expected.
I really do not like the new stock email, much worse than what it was.

 

[SobeStyle]

Email is different. does not show mailboxes view like it used to. I now have to use it on combine mailbox mood and changed the font to smaller.

The internet is snappier, texting and emailing now pauses and sometimes crashes. the update wiped out all my setup email accounts. Had to renter all login info.

Added the regular ATT spam bloatware crap apps,

home, and back keys less snappy, some lag in the vibration.

Different fonts, some widgets not as nice or now too big.

Some icons now nicer looking, battery icon bigger and easier to see but I think at the same time reducing screen ever so slightly. ATT is now very big on the top bar, top bar slightly thicker to make room for bigger icons

 

[buda0269]

Two things I'm not so happy about...

Face Lock - Doesnt work all the time. Seems like more of a hassle to perfectly align my face every time I try and use my phone (Heck, I hate using the basic screen lock).

Slide left to Text (from the favorites screen) - Since the favorites screen is now face tiles, you can touch a face to call, but have to add an extra step to text. Seems like the other way was easier.

$M

Don't like the new favorites screen at all!!!

 

[Mindlessbear]

Okay.. I just upgraded to ICS... I'm disappointed. I usually use Go Launcher, and I was hoping with ICS I wouldn't have to use it. I can't get folders to work in ICS, and I wanted to be able to use the slide unlock and go directly to chosen applications. I thought that was a feature, but I haven't been able to figure out how to do it, so I'm assuming that's just something we can't do on our phone?

So, since it didn't change any of my Go Launcher settings... well... I don't see much difference. Menu items, task manager, stuff like that, but I wanted some of the new flashy changes! Hopefully I'm just missing something!

MB

 

[zs3889]

Okay.. I just upgraded to ICS... I'm disappointed. I usually use Go Launcher, and I was hoping with ICS I wouldn't have to use it.
So, since it didn't change any of my Go Launcher settings... well... I don't see much difference. Menu items, task manager, stuff like that, but I wanted some of the new flashy changes! Hopefully I'm just missing something!

MB

Try apex launcher, im using it and it looks pretty sleek

 

[enojy]

Sorry you guys are disappointed with ICS. Personally, I love it, although I don't intend on using this "favorites" stuff.

The new font (anti-aliasing makes basically everything look much better), the new behaviors of the default web browser (zooming in and out is much more fluid and intuitive, edge-of-screen menu, etc.) and best of all, now on 4G support in my area!! I was on HSPA+ before. Massive noticeable increase in speed.

If there's one thing I dislike, it seems as if the screen's touch sensitivity has changed for the worse. More often than not, I'm having to make two attempts at sliding to unlock, sliding for the notifications bar, etc. Quick, light swipes no longer do the trick 100% of the time.

 

[FlyingPigL]

Try apex launcher, im using it and it looks pretty sleek

Hi. Are you on the stock ICS ("official") version? If so, what does Apex (or Go, for that matter) bring you that you don't have with the system's regular interface? I see a lot of people using launchers. I have Go on my phone, I set up all my shortcuts, widgets etc., but I don't really find it an improvement over the "regular" stuff.

Thanks!

 

[mgkumar]

Overall, I'm disappointed. I agree with what other people have said regarding favorites and responsiveness. I also thought that we were supposed to be able to unlock straight to the camera. Is this not a feature on the ATT S2? Or is my phone just being stupid?

 

[jbwitt]

Overall, I'm disappointed. I agree with what other people have said regarding favorites and responsiveness. I also thought that we were supposed to be able to unlock straight to the camera. Is this not a feature on the ATT S2? Or is my phone just being stupid?

I use widgetlocker on gingerbread to unlock directly to my camera and a dozen other apps of my choice. I assume it works on ICS too. One of the best apps I've downloaded.

 

[camaro322hp]

Can anyone confirm if music controls on lock screen are available in ICS for SGS2? I have them available on my Sony Xperia ICS, but not sure if that is Sony's doing, or a standard feature in ICS.

 

[lunatic59]

I use widgetlocker on gingerbread to unlock directly to my camera and a dozen other apps of my choice. I assume it works on ICS too. One of the best apps I've downloaded.

Yes, Widgetlocker works on ICS quite well.