Google has announced the launch of Android 4.0 aka, Ice Cream Sandwich, the most awaited version of Android which will bring an end to the Android fragmentation and make it one OS to run on all devices.

Android 4.0 Leaves iOS 5 Ages Behind
Android, as an OS, is already quite ahead of the iOS 5 as it offers many 'useful' features which were missing from the iOS, which Apple is trying to copy from Android. I don't have any issues with companies trying to offer similar experience, but its Apple which cries like a baby and sues everyone else over a rectangle.

Android 4.0 is an OS which feels like an OS 'designed' for multiple devices. As it was known that iOS lacked one of the most important features 'notifications' which it later copied from Android. the version 4.0 of Android once again offer features which Apple will try to imitate in its iOS devices.

Android 4.0 has enhanced the user experience by new animations -- such as the once for unlocking the device (something we saw in Android tablets). Android also introduces a brand new typeface optimized for the high-resolution screens of Android tablets. If you put Nexus S next to the iPhone 4S, you will find Nexus S to be far more 'crisp and clear' despite Apple's marketing gimmick of retina display.

Android 4.0 Features Three Buttons
Android 4.0 drops on 'soft' button from the bazel 'search'. Now there are only three buttons -- back, home and multi-tasking/recent apps. Another 'useful' feature is the availability of the The System Bar and virtual buttons across all apps, which means just the way your right click on PC to get access to more menu options you will now be able to do that with apps. These buttons will be dimmed for full-screen viewing.

With the new 'multi-tasking' button you can hop from one running app to another easily, another advantage over the iOS 5.

Best Home Screen Experience
The all new home screen for folders offer a new way for users to group their apps and shortcuts logically, just by dragging one onto another. From the All Apps launcher, users can now simply drag an app to get information about it or immediately uninstall it, or disable a pre-installed app.

On smaller-screen devices, the home screen now includes a customizable favorites tray visible from all home screens. Users can drag apps, shortcuts, folders, and other priority items in or out of the favorites tray for instant access from any home screen.

Resize Widget
Another area where Apple is far behind Android is re-sizable widgets.
Android 3.0 introduced re-sizable widgets, and 4.0 is taking it a step ahead. Now users can embed live application content directly through interactive widgets. Widgets let users check email, flip through a calendar, play music, check social streams, and more — right from the home screen, without having to launch apps. Widgets are re-sizable, so users can expand them to show more content or shrink them to save space.

Face It: Only You Can Unlock The Phone
Android 4.0 has added a new security feature which will not allow a thief to unlock your stolen phone. The phone will unlock the moment its front camera sees your face. Wow!

Lock Wont Lock You Out
Android 4.0 has added more flexibility. You now won't have to unlock your phone to take a picture. You can see notifications even when the phone is locked. Of cource you will have to unlock the phone to read the mails. Not satisfied? OK, one more feature is that if you are listening to music you won't have to unlock the phone if you want to manage the tracks or look at the album art.

Android 4.0 turns your phone into a 'true' camera and music player by removing 'locks' from between you and your needed app.

The lock screens now let users do more without unlocking. From the slide lock screen, users can jump directly to the camera for a picture or pull down the notifications window to check for messages. When listening to music, users can even manage music tracks and see album art.

Siri What Siri?
Google has been experimenting with voice search and voice commands from quite some time, unlike Apple which just bought Siri and Apple users think they 'invented' it. Siri of iOS 5 looks like a toy in front of Google voice feature. The new voice input engine now offers a continuous 'open microphone' experience and streaming voice recognition. The new voice input engine lets users dictate the text they want, for as long as they want, using the language they want. Users can speak continuously for a prolonged time, even pausing for intervals if needed, and dictate punctuation to create correct sentences.

Wow! Call Siri and tell she is fired! Android 40 brings a new revolution in the mobile space and the good news is -- its open!