Google Chases Apple With Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich is the name of the next generation Android operating system (OS) from Google (GOOG) and is Google’s most ambitious effort in the mobile world to date.  An operating system is a group of software programs that manage hardware resources and provide common services for application software.

The name Ice Cream Sandwich is in keeping with Google tradition of naming each version based on a dessert.   Google called version 1.5 Cupcake, version 1.6 Donut, version 2.0 Eclair, version 2.2 Froyo, version 2.3 Gingerbread, and version 3.0 Honeycomb.

Ice Cream Sandwich may be dubbed Android 4.0.  This will be a major release in Google’s attempt to keep up with Apple (AAPL).

Stan Stih, founder of Acer, which is one of the largest computer and device manufacturers in the world, predicts that Ice Cream Sandwich will outdo Apple’s iOS operating system.

Google has sent out invitations for an Ice Cream Sandwich event to be held in Hong Kong on October 19, 2011.

The key point is that the present versions of Google Android are not competitive with Apple iOS.  Google slogan for Ice Cream Sandwich is “one OS everywhere.”  Android’s present version called Honeycomb runs only on tablets.  The present day Android phones are relegated to even a more aging version.

In addition to running uniformly on all mobile devices, Ice Cream Sandwich provides a much friendlier user interface.  In addition, it is speculated that the new version will allow external devices such as mice, keyboards, and game controllers to be hooked to mobile devices.

Ice Cream Sandwich will also help Google compete with upcoming Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8.  The competition between Apple, Google, and Microsoft is about to heat up even more.  Let us see who wins.

Nigam Arora - Forbes