On the heels of two smaller point updates, Google has announced Android 4.0.3, describing it as the new base version of Ice Cream Sandwich. “The new platform will be rolling out to production phones and tablets in the weeks ahead, so we strongly encourage you to test your applications on Android 4.0.3 as soon as possible.”
The new version includes a number of optimizations, bug fixes for phones and tablets, and a number of new APIs for developers. The new features include:
- A new social stream API: Applications that use social stream data such as status updates and check-ins can now sync that data with each of the user’s contacts, providing items in a stream along with photos for each. This new API lets apps show users what the people they know are doing or saying, in addition to their photos and contact information.
- Calendar provider enhancements: Apps can now add color to events, for easier tracking, and new attendee types and states are now available.
- New camera capabilities: Apps can now check and manage video stabilization and use QVGA resolution profiles where needed.
- Accessibility refinements: Improved content access for screen readers and new status and error reporting for text-to-speech engines.
- Incremental improvements in graphics, database, spell-checking, Bluetooth, and more.
Look for Android 4.0.3 to get pushed out to the Galaxy Nexus and likely the Nexus S in the near future. It should also be the new version used by manufacturers working on their own upgrades.