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AT&T rolls out Android 4.0 to HTC Vivid, other devices getting ICS in the 'coming months'

Be still our beating heart. Just two weeks ago we heard Android 4.0 -- that upgrade lovingly referred to as Ice Cream Sandwich -- would be reaching the HTC Vivid "in the coming weeks." We even saw the update trickle in to select devices last week without any official notice from the mother ship. AT&T's finally ready to open the floodgates and pour the refresh out to the masses. This download in particular includes Sense 3.6, but throws in third-party Beats Audio support -- a feature that until now has only been seen in version 4.0. If you're packing a Vivid, just make sure you're hooked up to WiFi and head to the settings to get your download on. If it doesn't find the update yet, you also have the option to sideload it from your computer.

In the same breath, AT&T also made it known that it's still hard at work readying ICS for several other devices, and we can expect the updates to arrive "in the coming months." There aren't any surprises on the list of candidates: the Motorola Atrix 4G and Atrix 2, Pantech Burst and Element and the LG Nitro are all there, as well as a litany of Samsung devices like the Note, Galaxy S II, Skyrocket, Captivate Glide and Galaxy Tab 8.9. There's no more information yet, so the lucky owners of each one will just have to remain waiting on pins and needles for yet another undetermined number of months. Find the press release underneath.

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android 4.0 now available to htc vivid™ customers

AT&T the First U.S. Carrier to Issue Latest Android Version via Upgrade

Update Includes Beats By Dr. Dre Audio™ and Updated HTC Sense™ Experience

Android Upgrades for Several AT&T Devices to Follow

DALLAS, March 22, 2012 – AT&T* today announced the availability of Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) for HTC Vivid™ customers. After installing the software update, customers can now enjoy the optimized audio experience of Beats by Dr. Dre Audio™ and new and improved HTC Sense™ experience. Information about these features and more can be found at http://www.att.com/vividupdate. HTC Vivid™ will be the first U.S. smartphone to receive Ice Cream Sandwich as an update and the first to be issued by a wireless carrier. It will be followed by several other AT&T devices in the coming months:

LG Nitro
Motorola ATRIX 2
Motorola ATRIX 4G
Pantech Burst
Pantech Element
Samsung Captivate Glide
Samsung Galaxy Note
Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket
Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9

Focused on bringing the power of Android to the surface, Android 4.0 makes common actions more visible and lets you navigate with simple, intuitive gestures. Refined animations and feedback throughout the system make interactions engaging and interesting. An entirely new typeface optimized for high-resolution screens improves readability and brings a polished, modern feel to the user interface.

New User Features for HTC Vivid

Beats By Dr. Dre Audio™ - Enhance your music and video experience with Beats By Dr. Dre Audio. Whenever a media file is played using the media players or most third party applications, customers will experience richer, more authentic sound. AT&T recently debuted the Beats™ by Dr. Dre™ Beatbox Portable high performance wireless audio system. The superior portable system and Beats accessories are available at AT&T company-owned stores or online.

Face Unlock - Android 4.0 introduces a completely new approach to securing a device, making each person's device even more personal - Face Unlock is a new screen-lock option that lets you unlock your device using facial recognition. It takes advantage of the device's front-facing camera and state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to register a face during setup and then to recognize it again when unlocking the device. Just hold your device in front of your face to unlock, or use a backup PIN or pattern.

How to Upgrade

Beginning today, customers can download the update via Wi-Fi by visiting http://www.att.com/vividupdate. If Wi-Fi is not available, you can download the software upgrade to a PC and install it via sideload. On March 23, HTC Vivid customers who have not downloaded the upgrade will begin receiving an SMS notification of upgrade availability.