Today, Google announced Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. With it came the Galaxy Nexus from Samsung, and that's the device that you see above.
Ice Cream Sandwich doesn't just run on phones, though. It doesn't just run on tablets, either. Ice Cream Sandwich finally ties the two products together with a singular OS that will run on both. In other words, it's a hybrid of Gingerbread and Honeycomb. That's one step closer to getting rid of Android's fragmentation issue, for sure, but what does it bring to existing Android devices? Specifically, what are us Dell Streak owners going to get out of the new update? Read on to find out.
Google has brought a few needed upgrades to Ice Cream Sandwich. A revamped UI comes in, taking cues from both Gingerbread and Honeycomb. Gone are the hardware buttons, something that was ripped from Honeycomb, and in are the three software buttons that you would see on that OS.
In addition to the new UI, ICS also has some more human-like interaction features that will help to streamline your everyday, Android-driven life. One of these features is facial recognition. It's used to actually unlock your device, which is really cool. Windows has had this for a little while, so it's nice to see mobile devices start to pick up on that killer feature. More ICS details can be found at Good and EVO, one of our sister sites.
Obviously, we probably won't see an official update for the Streak 5, and I highly doubt one will be released for the Streak 7 for a while, if ever, either. But Ice Cream Sandwich can always be ROM'd onto our beloved Dell tablets by talented devs, which would most likely be faster and better than an official update anyway.
What are your thoughts on Android 4.0 so far?
I’d love to see this on my old Streak 5! There are so many amazing features that would be fantastic to see on the Dells.
I hope grand master DJ Steve can get the sources that he needs for his streak family. Icecream for streaks
How would this make my Streak 5 any better? What would it do for my user experience?
Not sure of what this update does.
The way I see it, I have to upgrade my device to get any real change at this point.
My device was chosen to get me through 2 years. Turns out I only needed one. Oh well, I have no complaints that this update would fix.
But for the record, the Browser does not return me to the place I clicked from when I hit the back button. But that is not always. I also want the page to refresh when I press refresh, not when I reopen the page by hitting the browser button.I want that page to hold as is in the background so I can read it offline if need be.
On the notification bar, I want to go to the battery stat page when I touch the battery. And the wireless controls page when I touch the signal icons. And the clock settings when I touch the time.These are features I miss from WinMo.
Peace
What always gets me, is that all those within that “official” bracket are so quick to leave behind a product that has, so obviously, still got so much to offer. The potential within the Streak is vast, and although the new Samsung Note has attracted my attention, I still see my Streak as a new device. It is sad to see official updates so quickly discontinued, and I salute those who continue to provide a service for those of us willing to fly the flag for the magnificent Dell Streak! (Sat in Starbucks typing this on my Streak, whilst enjoying my coffee)
i think it will be more perfect for galaxy note 5.3 where the .3 screen can be donated to the buoons and then the rest of 5 inch screen is used again
I understand the potential the Streak 5 has. I just am not betting it will get this update, and I want to know what I am missing and expect I will have to get a new device to find out.
I promote my Dell Streak 5 on all the other sites I visit and comment at. Except maybe this one cause I expect I am talking to Streakers.
I expected my purchase to hold me for two years, not be obsoleted by the OEM after only one year. Without much hope for the latest updates.
So who gave up on it? Wasn’t me.
Look at the inactivity in the forum if you need further proof. Then look at the first comment here referring to their “Old Streak”
Peace
If DJ Steve puts a ROM out, I’ll be the first to get my hands on it. About the Samsung Galaxy Note: I think it has the potential to do right what Dell did wrong: it has superior specs and a real marketing budget. And it leans more toward mobile Internet device instead of a phone that’s too big. I welcome it. And my team is eager to create an unlocker for it :–))
I think the only way the Streak will get this, will be if the XDA/Modaco cooks brew one up. You know it will never see the “official” light of day from Dell, considering with Michael Dell said about android (I still say MS paid him to use windows instead of droid). 2.2.2 runs smooth as silk. My next device will most likely be the Samsung Note, which will have GB or ICS from the start.
Dell screwed the pooch on the streak. If it hadn’t been for the cooks, it would have died long ago.
Hi, sorry, I wasn’t referencing your comments, just thinking out loud really. I’m not all Streak, only using it as an example (as I have one at the moment) of how quickly tech moves on witbout “stopping to smell the roses”
Yea, I said stop and smell the roses back at 1.6 Man was I wrong!
Happy Streaking!
Peace
Ha ha ha
Still loving my Dell 5 with the stock 2.1… Certainly won’t be parting with it to get face recognition either. It does everything I need a mobile device to do and my new 10″ tablet is gathering dust in a drawer. The form factor is too big for my liking, and if I want to play games or watch a film, I’ll use a laptop.
Originally, Mathais said that having the on screen home, back, and open app buttons would be optional if a device had physical buttons.
Agreed. The stylus is intriging too. I can see using it on a regular basis. Would love to see the Note with Android 4.
DJ Steve any plans of porting ICS for Streak 5?
I must say, I looooove my streak. I don’t plan changing it any time soon since it fits my needs. It is truly my communication device and truly at this time do not foresee wanting to upgrade. I’m not one to get the latest gadget, I get what’s convenient for me and my needs and I think that’s what makes the streak so great for many of us. I will continue on using it for a while. I’m on official 2.2.
I know this is not quite the forum – but wanted direct feed back from streak users…
Has anyone used a AT&T Dell Streak 5 in Japan?
Im assuming you need to unlock the streak for use with other carrier’s SIM…
Just wondering if any of you have knowledge and can provide some sort of clarity on how you would get one to work there…thanks.
I can’t say that the Dell Streak 7 I own will be much better with Android 4. At some point, the hardware and the software go out of synch if only the latter is being upgraded and I think that time was passed with Streak 7 using Android 2.
I currently use DJ_Steve’s Android 3 ROM on this device and think it is a nice combination of additional visual perks and software buttons that make the device attractive. I will keep the device and continue using it until my T-Mobile contract comes up for renewal. I will then retire the device and cancel the T-Mobile contract.
The beauty of having a tablet has been instant internet access along with productivity software (which I rarely use), games (which I use often) and access to my music library (which I also use often). When I get to the next device, which there WILL be after the Streak 7 is retired (by me), it will probably have to be 3G or 4G. Having a tablet with just WiFi is like carrying around a pad of paper and a pencil. That is just my feeling about the situation.
On Friday (Oct. 21), I went to the Best Buy near me and browsed the tablets on the market. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 and the iPad 2 are both lovely devices with their latest operating systems installed. They both swiped pages quickly, opened applications quickly and have dynamite screen resolution. The Streak 7 simply can’t compete with that, no matter what software upgrade is installed.
Still, I like my Streak 7 and will continue using it until it gives up the ghost or gets me to the end of the contract after which it will simply fade away……which means end up on eBay at a reasonable price.
Mark
Shall i upgrade my Dell strek 5 android 2.2 to icecream sandwich 2.4 ?
The Streak 5 was the first Dell device I have ever bought. Since Dell has been awful at keeping the device updated, this will also have been my last. Pathetic. Ice Cream Sandwich will NOT come to the Streak 5, I am sure about that, Dell have basically washed their hands of the Streak. This despite the fact that with its 1ghz processor and 512mb ram it would be more than capable of running it. Real shame.
DELL STREAK 5 2.2.2 rooted honeybread theme custom mods battery went out and put away really really miss her shes the best i love her please god let dell release the official 4.0 thank you i will purchase an oem battery and update asap to 2.3.3