Whenever Google releases a new version of its Android operating system, it can always be expected that the update will always make its way first to the high-end devices in every manufacturer’s lineup. In the case of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the update first landed on flagship devices such as Samsung’s Galaxy S II and HTC’s Sensation line of handsets before making its way to other handsets. This has been the trend because high-end devices have better chances of handling a new version of Android with the fire-breathing components they have under their respective hoods. Or is it?
Sony proves this wrong and bucked the trend when it unleashed the Ice Cream Sandwich update to several of its midrange handsets such as the Xperia Mini Pro and Xperia Active. With this one move, Sony managed to prove that ICS can work on modest handsets with modest components as long as a manufacturer is willing to exert all effort in making it possible. And with that move, the smartphone-buying population began asking what’s next for Sony – ICS for its entry-level devices?
And Sony does the unthinkable… yet again.
Sony confirmed that it is now rolling out the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich update to the Sony Xperia U, one of the entry-level handsets in its lineup of Android powered devices. Looking back, an update was released by Sony a couple of weeks back to the handset and it turned out that this particular update will pave the way for the arrival of the ICs update on the Sony Xperia U.
The update will of course come with the usual goodies and treats associated with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich but is also coming with new features in tow which are all listed below:
- Better functionality on handset’s lockscreen
- Widgets are now resizable
- Improved user control of data consumption
- More ways to enjoy multimedia content on the handset via WALKMAN, Album and Movies
- Extended standby mode
- Addition of Recent Apps button for cleared overview of applications
The update however is not via OTA so you need to hook your handset up to your computer and fire up the PC Companion software to get the update process rolling. If it doesn’t come up yet, be patient – the rollout is staggered and not everybody will get it at the same time.
As for the Sony Xperia U, it may be an entry level device in the Sony pecking order but it still is impressive nonetheless. The handset packs an STE U8500 chipset in its internals and this SoC comes with a dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor clocked at 1 GHz and 512 MB of RAM. Storage space on the handset comes up to 8GB but only 4GB is set aside for user content with no memory expansion option on the handset. Display-wise, the Sony Xperia U comes with a 3.5-inch LED-backlit LCD panel with a 480 x 854 resolution while its camera department includes a rear 8MP shooter and front VGA snapper.
