Android 4.0, new features of the google mobile operating system
Google's new operating system is about to arrive in the form of a new mobile. Its name is Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the new official mobile of the Internet giant. But the great advantage of this new version of the Android 4.0 named icons is that it can be installed both on advanced mobiles and on touch tablets. Therefore, both platforms will be able to share applications and it will be one of the great assets that developers will find.
But Android 4.0 will have new features, as well as a new look. That overall what you want to achieve is a much more pleasant and easier user experience for users. But we are going to detail all the new functions that the customer can find, both of the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus and of other mobiles or tablets that will also be updated.
Lock screen
Once the Android 4.0 terminal is turned on, the user will find that he can unlock the system in a new way. In principle, the user may choose to access the mobile or tablet in the usual way. In other words, slide the release bar to one side. But, from now on, and after configuration, the terminal will use its front camera to recognize the owner's face. Or put another way, it uses facial recognition to unlock the system. Although, it is also true that the first failures have already been found and it is possible that a person outside the team can unlock the mobile or tablet with a photograph of the owner.
In addition, from now on the user can also access the camera and notifications without having to access the unlocked terminal. From the home screen itself, a virtual button will appear that will give access to the photos function, as well as display the notification center and see all kinds of alerts: received messages (SMS, chats…), emails, missed calls, etc….
Other options that will also be available at all times is being able to manage the songs that are playing. That is, you will be able to know the songs that are playing, skip the track or see the album art.
Main screen
Once the terminal is unlocked in one of the different ways that we have explained above, the user will come across a new, more striking user interface. For example, the background animations have been redesigned. In addition, the main buttons will no longer be physical, but it has been chosen to include three virtual buttons that will be embedded in the touch screen. These will be: " Home ", " Back " and " Recent Apps ". Or put another way: "Main", "Back" and "Recent applications".
In the last of the virtual buttons, multitasking execution will be more evident than before. And it is that once you click on this button, all the applications that are running in the background and represented by thumbnail icons will appear. In this way the user can jump from one application to another in an easy and fast way. In addition, they can also be closed one by one.
In addition, you can also create folders or shortcuts to the most used applications in an easy way. It will only be to select the desired application and drag it to the main screen.
Shortcuts and custom widgets
Having all the shortcuts or widgets on the main screens helps to avoid having to search for applications at all times from the menu. For this, Android 4.0 offers the possibility of customizing the accesses of the first screen, even modifying their sizes. Also, many of them will be interactive. A clear example will be the widgets of social networks or email, which will be updated in real time to offer information to the user at all times.
New virtual keyboard
Google has also thought about the way in which text is entered on mobiles and tablets that use its icons. And that is why in each version they want to improve the experience. In this case, Android 4.0 introduces a new virtual keyboard with more separated keys and with auto-correction. In other words, while the texts are being written, the operating system itself will underline the words that it itself believes are wrong or could be misspelled. Thus, once the writing is finished, the user will be able to click on each word that is indicated and Android 4.0 will suggest some correct options.
In addition, to all this it will be necessary to add a correction bar that, while writing, will suggest words to autocomplete and progress faster in the writing of the text, whether it is an email or the editing of a document.
Entering text with voice
Walking and writing at the same time is an uncomfortable way to write your writing. That is why Google has also thought about these situations and introduces a powerful voice dictation tool in Android 4.0. In other words, the text can be dictated and Android will be in charge of translating the text on the screen.
In this case, Android 4.0 will also underline the words that have been misunderstood and the user can correct them at any time by clicking on each one.
Handling for blind people
The blind users will have it easier with Android 4.0. And it is that Google has introduced an alert and dictation system that will allow you to control your mobile or tablet without having to look at touch screens. The first time the terminal is configured, these special functions can be enabled and the equipment in question will be able to dictate all the movements on the screen as well as dictate all the content of the screens that are visited. A clear example will be when the user browses Internet pages.
Data consumption control
It will no longer be necessary to download third-party applications that control the monthly expense that each customer makes for their data plan. And is that the vast majority of plans have a download limit to be able to navigate at maximum speed. And to take maximum control of this data, Android 4.0 has introduced a new function with which you can see in detail the consumption you have per month or daily.
In addition, it also allows you to know which applications are the ones that spend the most. Finally, the user can set a limit and have the terminal itself warn when it is approaching it.
People app
Getting in touch with the people who make up the user's agenda will be much easier with Android 4.0. And it is that the application called: " People App " or " People Application " has been presented. And it is that from it all the detailed information of the contacts will be displayed , such as: their telephone numbers, their email accounts, their addresses and, even, their status in social networks or instant messaging services. In short, this new function allows you to know, at all times, how to get in touch with each person.
Calendars
Keeping different calendars will be much easier with Android 4.0. And is that Google will allow you to manage different accounts of a single site. These may be: professional or personal. In addition, calendars can be shared with different contacts. Thus, the latter will be able to add events at any time and better manage their day to day. Finally, Google has introduced colors to differentiate each type of event. An example would be: green for professional events and red for personal events.
Photographs and videos
The camera function also receives improvements. For example, once the photograph or video has been taken, Android 4.0 allows you to share the material with your contacts by different means: SMS, instant messaging, by email, by Bluetooth, etc… But, in addition, you can also edit the captures directly from your mobile or tablet without having to go through a computer first.
Android 4.0 includes an integrated editing tool with which to retouch the captures or, for example, eliminate the annoying red eyes. Another option that the user will also have is being able to take panoramic photographs. The operating system will take care of gathering the shots and displaying the result.
Meanwhile, in the video part, in addition to being able to share the clips with the contacts, it will also be possible to take captures while the camera continues recording the scene. It will be a useful tool if you want to immortalize some moments and share them with friends or family. And for the cleverest clients, the ability to apply effects is also offered.
The photo gallery has also been redesigned. In addition to having thumbnail views somewhat larger than in previous versions, the photos can now be classified by time, by people, by places, etc... Also, if at the time of taking the photo the user forgot to edit it, in the gallery the same option is also offered.
Screenshots
Users who have Android 4.0 installed on their mobile or tablet will be able to take screenshots very easily, as is the case with Apple computers. And it is that from now on, the user with simple combinations of the physical buttons will be able to share captures from their smartphone or touch tablet.
Synchronization with Google Chrome
With the new Google mobile platform, mobiles and tablets will integrate a reduced version of the Google Chrome desktop browser. Therefore, what the Internet giant will try is that its users can have all their content synchronized with the browser and be able to access it from any computer connected to the Internet and that can run the browser. In addition, from now on you will be able to view Internet pages in their original version and not in their mobile version. So the experience will be very close to that of a computer.
Email management
Android 4.0 has also renewed its facet to manage email accounts. And therefore, now it will be much easier to add contacts or create quick responses to avoid wasting time. And now it will be possible to store in the same application all kinds of answers -as templates- to use in moments when time is running against us. In addition, professional users such as home users can synchronize all kinds of accounts from their smartphone or tablet with Android 4.0.
New connections
Finally, Google icons have also renewed their way of sharing material and connecting with other teams. For example, the Android Beam function is added. This function is carried out thanks to the NFC wireless technology. In this way, it will be much faster to share material or transfer information from one terminal to another without the need for annoying configuration. You just have to bring the two mobiles closer and give a little physical touch between them. Of course, the two teams must be compatible with the technology. Several examples would be: being able to share an Internet page or, pass the download link of an application found in the online store: Android Market.
Finally, there is also the possibility of sharing material quickly and without cables using the Wi-Fi connection of the place. This is called WiFi Direct . It is no other way than to use the nearby WiFi connection and share files such as: music, documents, photos, etc. with other computers in the home or office.
Also, Bluetooth technology is HDP type. And it is that this type of connection would be valid for medical equipment. Perhaps more focused on its use with touch tablets. With which the user could connect with his team to medical equipment or sensors in health centers or sports centers to carry out an exhaustive control of all the movements of the patient or athlete.
Android 4.0 on other mobiles and tablets
For the moment, the first mobile to equip this new version of Android will be, as we have already mentioned, the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus. In addition, Samsung itself has already officially commented that other phones in its catalog of offers will also receive the relevant update. But Samsung has not been the only company that has commented that it will implement Android 4.0 in some of its terminals, but manufacturers such as LG, HTC or Sony Ericsson also hope to introduce all these advantages in their mobiles and in future equipment that are presented. Of course, at the earliest, updates will begin to arrive at the beginning of next year 2012.
