Following the release of Android Honeycomb 3.1, Google has officially unveiled its new mobile operation system Android Ice Cream Sandwich. T3 gives you a run down of the hottest new features

Android 4.0 or Ice Cream Sandwich to give it its dessert-based name has now been officially unveiled. Merging the best of Honeycomb and Gingerbread. Google Product Manager, Hugo Barra called it the “most ambitious release yet, ” when it was first announced the Android OS that will work for both tablets and smartphones.

With the Samsung Galaxy Nexus set to be the first Android 4.0 device out of the blocks, we reveal the Ice Cream Sandwich features to will change your Android smartphone and tablet life.

See below for things to look forward to from Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 plus details of a UK release date.

New look UI

Built from the ground up and optimized for tablet devices, the best of Honeycomb will be available to Android phone users as well. There are the familiar horizontal homescreens which can be swiped across and filled with apps and widgets, with the addition of some neat graphics which have clearly taken cues from Honeycombs 3D-effect UI.

Face Unlock

We’ve seen fingerprint and voice recognition in action before, so now Google has decided to push things forward by enabling you to unlock your Android device with your face. It could just be the best way to keep people from infiltrating your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Android Beam

We already got a feel of Google’s approach to NFC with the Nexus S, and now Android 4.0 sees the introduction of Android Beam which allows users to share information between Android tablets and smartphones using NFC. So you’ll be able to swap directions, YouTube videos, websites and contact info a bit like you did with Bump. Except we hope with more success this time around...
 

People app

Taking care of all your social networking needs, the updated People app will be pull in all status updates, photos, videos which should also include all your Google+ activity. You remember Google+ right?

New camera features

A feature rumoured to be included prior to the official announcement, Android 4.0 sees the introduction of a built-in photo editor. Other snapping additions include time lapse settings, zoom while recording but perhaps best of all, the new panorama camera feature that pulls together separate photos to produce a wide format shots. Once you’ve taken your photos, you’ll also be able to view them in a new-look gallery section that breaks snaps down by person and locations.

New Gmail features

The Google email client has been refined to include offline search, a two-line preview, a new action bar and the ability to swipe left or right on your Android tablet or smartphone to move between Gmail conversations.

Data usage

We all worry about going over the limit, so with 4.0 there is now a section dedicated to keeping an eye on how much data you are eating up from your plan. You can disable data usage as well as kill off any apps running in the background that are slowing down your experience.

Folders

Similar to the way grouping apps and content is done on iOS, Android 4.0 now allows you to drag-and-drop to create folders. A simple but nontheless useful addition we think.

Quick Response

If a friend or colleague has called you in a busy meeting, you won’t have to go through the explanation when you ring them back of telling them they caught you at a bad time. Now you can politely tell them now is not the time to catch up about the weekend.

Ice Cream Sandwich devices release date

So, when can you get a taste of the new Google OS? Well, Samsung Galaxy Nexus launch is set for early November and will be the first Android 4.0 smartphone. Android Central has got its hands on an official statement from HTC which says that it is "Currently reviewing its features and functionality to determine our upgrade plans." So fingers crossed that the likes of the HTC Sensation XE and the HTC Desire clan will get to taste Android Ice Cream Sandwich in the near future. As for older devices, well... When was the last time you donated to hero chefs brewing custom-roms for all your favorite devices at xda-developers?

Ice Cream Sandwich video