Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Officially Launched

Neither of these is a surprise. We’ve known Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, aka ICS, has been coming for a while now. And the Samsung Galaxy Nexus hasn’t been a very well kept secret. Though there had been a lot of different rumored names – Nexus Prime, Galaxy Prime, Droid Prime, Droid Nexus, etc. The Galaxy Nexus is the latest in Google’s flagship Nexus phone line which they use to highlight the ‘raw’ Android experience. It follows the Samsung Nexus S and the original HTC Nexus One.

I’ve been waiting for this phone to launch, since I’m still using my OG Droid which I picked up at launch in November 2009. I rooted it and I’m running Cyanogenmod 7.1, but I’m still eager to get something newer. I’ve been holding out for the G-Nex to make the jump to ICS on an a Verizon LTE device. It looks like the G-Nex will hit Verizon in November, so I’ll probably be upgrading – unless something else pops up that is just more tempting. But I doubt it.

Skimming around the net after today’s announcement, Android Central compiled the stats in a nice format:

• Network: HSPA+ 21Mbps/HSUPA 5.76Mbps 850/900/1900/1700/2100, EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900
  Specifications above may differ on the LTE version.
• Processor: 1.2 GHz Dual-core Processor (OMAP 4460)
• Display: 4.65-inch 1280×720 HD Super AMOLED
• OS: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• Main (Rear) Camera: 5MP AF with LED Flash with zero shutter lag and fast shot2shot
• Sub (Front) Camera: 1.3MP for Video Call
• Sensor: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro, Light, Proximity, Barometer
• Memory: 1GB RAM + 16/32GB Internal memory
• Size: 135.5 x 67.94 x 8.94 mm, 135g
• Battery: Standard battery, Li-on 1750 mAh.

The Official Google Blog covered the launch of both ICS & the G-Nex, along with a video:

ICS is the one platform to rule them all. Android 2.3.x Gingerbread is optimized for phones and Android 3.x Honeycomb is optimized for tablets. But Android 4.0 ICS is designed for both phones and tablets. It evolves the Honeycomb UI to the next level, and introduces new features. While the G-Nex is a major product, the real news is ICS as it will be coming to a number of current and upcoming phones and tablets, and it really takes Android to the next level in UI polish, speed, and features.

UPDATE: The full video of the launch event has been posted.