Wondering how Motorola is dealing with Google’s new user interface requirements for access to the Android Market? Wonder no more. A user on the DROIR RAZR forum showed off screenshots that appear to be the Ice Cream Sandwich update for Motorola’s flagship, combining elements of their “don’t-call-it-Blur” custom user interface and the standard Holo theme. There’s no new information on when we can expect the update to hit (hint: settle in for a long wait) but they do show an interesting progression between Blur and Ice Cream Sandwich. This is a considerably different build than the one we saw for the international RAZR.

The biggest change is the launcher, which seems – at least at this point – to be using the stock Trebuchet application. Other than a couple of options in the app drawer, there’s not much to distinguish it from the Galaxy Nexus’ home screen. That’s a huge shift from Motorola’s standard of replacing just about every user-facing app in the phone. We can hope that this means the RAZR and RAZR MAXX will get a more pure experience, but honestly, I’m betting that these images are leaked from an early build of the update, and Moto simply hasn’t migrated all of their custom code to ICS yet.

Since the dialer, camera, and Settings app are all using Motorola’s color scheme and icons, we can conclude that Motorola has no interest in a “clean” ROM, though a lot of the bloatware in the leaked screenshots can be laid squarely at Verizon’s feet. Though some critical features are missing (like WebTop) Moto is using Android 4.0.3, the latest public release, so at least they don’t intend to be far behind when the RAZR and RAZR MAXX get their updates. There’s no official word from Motorola or Verizon on when that’ll happen. Note that technically these could be elaborately faked screenshots, but we kind of doubt it.

[via Droid-Life]

5 COMMENTS

  1. Google’s interface requirements for Android Market access have absolutely nothing to do with the home screen or built-in applications. Google is simply telling OEMs that they’re not allowed to alter the default skins for the controls that third party apps use. So apps that you download from the Market should look the same no matter which skin your phone is running. It makes developer’s lives a lot easier.

  2. I’ll tell you, I just bought the Samsung Galaxy Nexus on Verizon this past weekend.  I have to say, I’m really liking the the ICS Plain Vanilla look and feel.  The phone is so fast and the OS is so smooth.

    My only con is that the battery life on this thing is absolutely atrocious.  I’ve done everything I can to this thing and am still getting maybe 6-8 hours of life with moderate usage.

    And with that in mind, I’m thinking of switching to the MAXX just for battery life alone and then wait for ICS.  Unfortunately it won’t be plain vanilla ICS.  ugh.  Why can’t they make a long lasting nexus phone (for any carrier)?

     

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