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The new NVIDIA Tegra 3-powered Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime for testing, we had solid communication from both Asus and NVIDIA that this tablet was one of Google's test vehicles for their upcoming Android 4.0 operating system, also referred to as Ice Cream Sandwich. Besides the fact that the folks at Google have a bit of a sweet tooth, at least when it comes to development project code names, this new iteration of Google's OS reportedly was targeted primarily at performance enhancements, with a few feature-adds and UI tweaks thrown into the mix.
Both NVIDIA and Asus were keen to see ICS hit the Transformer Prime as well, since the new OS makes better use of hardware resources to accelerate the user interface itself. And as we've said before, Asus always seems to do a good job with rolling out firmware and software updates for their tablet products; a tradition carried over from their motherboard lineage perhaps. In fact, just as we set out to publish this piece today, Asus kicked out another firmware update that we'll be testing right away.
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Features and Enhancements
General performance enhancements
Virtual buttons in the UI
Easier-to-create folders, drag-and-drop style
Customizable launcher
Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar
Integrated screenshot capture (hold down Power and Volume-Down buttons)
Improved error correction for keyboard
Ability to access apps directly from lock screen
Improved copy and paste
Better voice integration and real-time speech to text
Face Unlock
New tabbed web browser
Automatic syncing of browser with Chrome bookmarks
New Roboto font
Data usage detail
Ability to shut down apps that are using data
Improved camera app with zero shutter lag
Built-in photo editor
Refreshed "People" app with social network integration
Android Beam - NFC feature allowing you to share media with friends
Hardware acceleration of the UI
Resizeable widgets – (new for cellphones)
Wi-Fi Direct
1080p video recording
So as you can see, some of the new features with ICS as subtle tweaks, while others, like Face Unlock, screenshot capture and data usage details are more prominent additions to what is already a relatively refined smartphone and tablet OS. Let's take a closer look at ICS, next.
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