Asus Transformer Prime: Does quad-core really matter?

This week's announcement of the Asus Transformer Prime marks the start of a new era for Android tablets. Aside from the Prime's sleek design and PC-like transformation potential, the product will be the first tablet to run on a quad-core processor -- specifically, the new Tegra 3 chip made by Nvidia.
Let's face it, though: For most folks, things like processor cores ultimately boil down to a bunch of gobbledygook geek speak. So what does having a quad-core tablet really mean from a user perspective, and will it make a significant difference in your day-to-day life?

Ice Cream Sandwich and Galaxy Nexus: Is this the week?

We're almost halfway through November, the month Google's Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS and its accompanying Galaxy Nexus phone are scheduled to arrive. So where are these tasty treats already?
According to an increasing number of reports, both ICS and the new Nexus could launch within the week.
UPDATE: Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus: My in-depth reviews
The most compelling new evidence comes from tablet maker Notion Ink. The company's CEO posted a blog over the weekend, noticed by the crew over at Android Central, that casually references the 17th as the date to watch for the drop of Google's Ice Cream Sandwich source code.
The significance? Once the source code is out, that means the inaugural version of Ice Cream Sandwich is officially finalized -- and both manufacturers and third-party ROM developers can get to work getting the software ready to run on all sorts of devices.

Android Ice Cream Sandwich source code released

Here we go, gang: Google has just released the source code for the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS.
Android engineer Jean-Baptiste M. Queru posted the news in the "Android Building" area of Google Groups moments ago. From Queru's post:

Over at our Android Open-Source Project git servers, the source code for Android version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is now available. ...
This is actually the source code for version 4.0.1 of Android, which is the specific version that will ship on the Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 device. ... Build configurations for other devices will come later.

Queru goes on to note that the release is a large file and may take some time to become available to everyone.

Watch Google's Android event live

Google's got some more big Android news up its sleeve -- and it's only a matter of hours until we get all the gooey details.

Google has an Android event scheduled in Los Angeles for this afternoon (Wednesday, November 16). The event, entitled "These Go To Eleven," appears to be related to the next phase of Google's Google Music service; numerous reports suggest the G-Team will unveil a full-fledged music-purchasing store that's integrated into the Android Market. But there may be another surprise on the way as well.
Remember, Google released the source code to its new Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS earlier this week -- but oddly, we haven't heard any firm details about the launch of its flagship ICS phone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. A flagship Nexus device would typically ship around the same time as the new OS, and plenty of unofficial leaks point to the Galaxy Nexus landing this week.

Hands on: Google's Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Google officially unleashed its Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS on Monday, and now, the flagship ICS phone is finally making its debut. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus went on sale in the U.K. Thursday morning and is expected to launch on Verizon Wireless within a matter of days.
I've been spending some hands-on time with the Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich this week. I'll be putting together in-depth reviews of the phone and the operating system soon, but I wanted to share some of my early impressions with you now.
Getting to Know the Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich
First, I should point out that the Galaxy Nexus unit I have is not the Verizon LTE edition; it's an HSPA+ version of the phone that'll be sold globally. The phone, provided to me on loan from Google, is connected to T-Mobile's network. It could also work with AT&T or any other compatible HSPA+ carrier anywhere in the world.

A snapshot of Android 4.0's cool new photo sharing features

Google's new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is full of interesting surprises. One thing that caught my eye just recently is how easy ICS makes it for you to share photos from your phone.
When you take a photo with Ice Cream Sandwich, it appears as a small thumbnail at the bottom of the Camera app, like it has in past versions of Android. Tapping on the thumbnail brings up a new enlarged viewing screen that has handy icons for all of your connected social services, ranging from bundled apps like Gmail and Google+ (which, yes, is now included as part of the OS) to third-party programs like Dropbox and Twitter.

If you have too many share-ready services to fit in the space, as I already do on the Galaxy Nexus I'm testing, ICS simply makes the list scrollable so you can swipe left or right to see more. Everything's on screen in front of you, though, with no hidden menus or hard-to-find commands.

Theory: Android's Ice Cream Sandwich keyboard based on BlindType

One of the most powerful but underplayed features in Google's Android Ice Cream Sandwich release is the new system keyboard. As I've been testing ICS and the Galaxy Nexus these past several days, I've grown increasingly impressed with what this thing can do.

Now, I'm growing increasingly confident the ICS keyboard is based at least in part on the technology of BlindType, a virtual keyboard startup acquired by Google last October. This is just my personal theory; Google has made no official statement about BlindType's contribution or lack thereof, and an Android spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
But using the keyboard in Android 4.0, it strikes me as increasingly likely that's the case. BlindType, if you don't remember, built tons of buzz with blogs and videos showing off its virtual keyboard in the months prior to its acquisition. The

Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus: My in-depth reviews

With Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus, Google's Android operating system has really grown up.
Ice Cream Sandwich, aka Android 4.0, introduces sweeping changes to the Android platform. This is a big deal, folks: We're talking a whole new graphical look, a whole new method of getting around, and more improvements and added features that I can count. And the Galaxy Nexus is built to run it all seamlessly and effortlessly.
I've spent the past several days using the Galaxy Nexus and ICS. I've carried the Nexus around as my primary phone; I've spent hours exploring the hardware and software to get a full understanding of how they perform and what they have to offer. Lab tests and 24-hour reviews certainly have their place, but I've always been more interested in seeing how something works in the real world -- the way a real person would use it.