Google and Samsung have introduced the Galaxy Nexus, the first smartphone to incorporate Ice Cream Sandwich, Google’s new Android 4.0 mobile operating system.
(Editor's Note/Update: Verizon Wireless announced on Oct. 21 that it would carry the Nexus later this year, but did not give a release date.)
One of the distinguisable features of the smartphone and new mobile platform is Android Beam, a feature that lets customers instantly share webpages, YouTube videos, maps, directions and applications by tapping two phones together. Starting next month, the Ice Cream Sandwich-powered smartphone will be available in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
“With Ice Cream Sandwich, our mission was to build a mobile OS that works on both phones and tablets, and to make the power of Android enticing and intuitive," wrote Google’s Andy Rubin, SVP of Mobile, in a blog. “We created a new font that’s optimized for HD displays and eliminated all hardware buttons in favor of adaptable software buttons. We also dramatically improved the keyboard, made notifications more interactive and created resizable widgets."
Since the first Android phone – G1 – was released three years ago, Google has become a major force in the wireless industry. “Nine releases later," Rubin said, “more than 550,000 Android devices are activated daily."
