Ice Cream Sandwich runs on first ever Android phone in video
Intrepid Android fans have got Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest version of Google's Android software, working on the ancient T-Mobile G1.
Ice Cream Sandwich works on the very first Android phones. Intrepid Android fans have gone back to the source and got the latest version of Google's software working on the venerable T-Mobile G1.
The clever folks at XDA Developers have managed to make various Ice Cream Sandwich features and apps working on the G1. Hit play below to see the G1 stir its arthritic self into action with the latest software.
The whole experience is incredibly creaky, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and screen rotation are beyond the ancient phone, but we don't blame it. It's only three years old, but in phone years this thing should be collecting its pension and complaining about modern music, not keeping up with the latest software updates.
The T-Mobile G1 was the very first Android phone, way back in 2008. We loved the Android interface and nifty touchscreen, but it seems strange now to think it didn't have a 3.5mm headphone jack or the ability to record video. It was a horizontal slider phone, and you don't see many of those these days, but it was one of the first phones to include a little curved chin.
New versions of Android are traditionally introduced by a flagship phone bearing the name Nexus. The Google Nexus One was the first flagship phone, built by HTC and landing in December 2009. It showed off version 2.1 of Android, known as Eclair. That was followed by the Google Nexus S by Samsung a year later, showing off Android 2.3 Gingerbread. And most recently came the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, bringing with it Ice Cream Sandwich.
The Galaxy Nexus is a great phone, but sadly suffers from a teething problem that causes the volume to drop without warning. Fortunately, Google has promised to fix the problem toot sweet.
Ice Cream Sandwich is expected to arrive on other ageing phones and tablets soon, including this year's line-up of Sony Ericsson Xperia phones.
Do you think older phones should be able to run the latest software, or are people expecting too much of elderly hardware? Let us know in the good old comments section below, or on our upstart Facebook wall.