Google and Samsung have unveiled the first phone running Android 4.0. Known as Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.0 is built for both smartphones and tablets. Features include a new font optimised for HD displays, the elimination of all hardware buttons in order to focus on adaptable software buttons, an improved keyboard, more interactive notifications and resizable widgets. It also comes with a faster browser with Google Chrome sync for bookmarks, upgrades to Gmail and calendar functions, and more integration with Google+ in the new People app for contacts. The Android Beam function uses NFC to share content such as maps, videos and websites by tapping two phones together, and the Face Unlock feature uses facial-recognition software to unlock the phone. The first phone with Android 4.0 is the Galaxy Nexus from Samsung. It comes with a 4.65-inch contour display with 720p resolution, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor and LTE or HSPA+ support, depending on the market. Starting in November, the Galaxy Nexus will be available in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. NTT Docomo confirmed on Twitter that it will offer the phone in Japan from next month.
