The Best Android 4 Phones- Here or Coming Soon

In theory, the latest operating system from Google- 'icecream sandwich' or Android 4- should run on any smartphone currently using Android 2.3. In reality, it will a while before most phone manufacturers come up with practical products.

Samsung cooperated with Google in the development of Android 4 and are well ahead of the competition in terms of implementation. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be first out of the blocks in November. After that, other manufacturers will be playing desperate catch up.

Down the page you will find a list of phones that either have the upgrade already or that manufacturers will be releasing soon.

First, though, is this new OS really going to live up to the hype? What does it offer?

The Best of Smartphone and Tablet Operating Systems Combined?

There is no doubt the sheer number of operating systems Google offers is a disadvantage. It confuses users and makes it seem as if they are nowhere near a finished product.

So Android 4 has to be welcome. It will work on tablets and smartphones and gives you the best of each platform. It is a far more ambitious offering than previous updates which tweaked a little here and a little there. This is a complete redesign with a beautiful new interface to rival Apple's iOS and get the best from high resolution screens.

Besides the aesthetics, there is improved multitasking, faster navigation and better social integration.

Here are some of the most notable improvements:

• resizable widgets and home screen folders
• the Roboto typeface improves the virtual keyboard
• upgraded word processing functions with new dictionaries, simpler to use spell checkers and word suggestion- this is great for email, college kids and the state of the English language in general.
• improved voice recognition for unlimited dictation and quick commands
• a system bar that appears in all apps giving fast navigation via Back, Home, and Recent Apps buttons
• face recognition unlock- the camera knows who you are, even if you forget (your password, that is)
• improved notifications and error messages
• clear displays of data use via WiFi or cell
• Stabilized image zoom for picture taking and video. You can also take panorama shots easily
• 'The People App' gives a setting for all social interactions with larger profile picture, your phone numbers, addresses, status updates via different accounts and single button access to social networks.
• visual voicemail.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Nexus is a name that has become synonymous with ground breaking phones. Google's confidence that Android 4 will redefine Android and place it 'beyond smart' and, perhaps, better than Apple iOS rests on the success of this phone.

If the uptake is massive it will be one more nail in the coffin of Apple dominance.

So what does the latest Nexus offer?

Well it has all of the Android 4 features described above and couples those advances with some impressive hardware, including:

• 1.2 GHz dual core processor
• a 4.65 inch HiDef super Amoled display. 720p videos look wonderful in the edge to edge display.
• a shutter lag free panoramic camera, also capable of 1080p video capture. Some might be disappointed that it is only 5MP but the new Android 4 software compensates mightily
• no one could say it was bulky with an 8.8mm profile
• 4G download capacity with LTE or HPSA+

Styling is similar to previous Nexus smartphones with plenty of comfortable curves. A hyperskin covering makes the phone feel special in the hand.

Phones with 'Icecream Sandwich' Coming Soon

How reliable is the information in this section? Well, sometimes the rumor mill gets it right and sometimes people just forget that they ever predicted this or reported that. Sometimes manufacturers make promises they just can't keep. So take this as an honest attempt to pluck out the most likely contenders.

HTC

HTC used their facebook page to say that the HTC Vivid (which just began selling) is up-gradable to Ice Cream Sandwich already. They also say Android 4 is coming to the Sensation, Sensation XL and Sensation XE, the Amaze 4G, the EVO 3D and EVO Design 4G in early 2012.

Samsung

Apart from the Nexus discussed above, the Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket will get Android 4.0 very shortly on AT&T

Motorola

Motorola Droid RAZR and Droid BIONIC are due the update soon, according to Motorola. The Motorola Xoom tablet will also benefit.

LG

So far LG have only indicated that they will upgrade the LG Optimus 2X.

Has Android finally caught up with Apple iOS?

Some people reckon that this will never happen. Some reckon it is inevitable. Some say it has already happened if you weigh value for money, functionality and the fact that no one needs jailbreak an android phone to get the best from it.

Anything that pushes smartphone development forward (wars are always good for tech innovations) gets my vote.

To me, it looks like the only big advantage Apple has after 'icecream sandwich' is Siri.

Siri, remember, is the virtual assistant with an uncanny ability to understand what people say and respond intelligently. Ask her a question and you get useful, practical replies. Tell her to email or phone someone she complies without demur- unless she is in downtime.

Siri has only been released in Beta, to date, but when fully functional, she could help keep Apple iOS on top- even after Android Apps finally overtake Apple Apps in sheer number and quality. If you don't really care about an electronic personal assistant, I reckon the two OS's are now neck and neck.