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Android “Ice Cream Sandwich” revealed by lucky eBay buyer (video)

Android-Ice-Cream-SandwichOne lucky eBay buyer got to preview the new version of Google Android a little early when he bought a Samsung Nexus S preloaded with Ice Cream Sandwich. The buyer then sent a 2-minute video demo to Engadget.

Because Android is the number one smartphone OS in the world and 56 percent of new smartphone buyers choose Android, many people can’t wait to see what Google has in store with the next update of the OS. By contrast, Apple’s iOS remains in not-close-at-all second place with 28 percent of new smartphone buyers choosing it.

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We first saw some tasty photos of the next version of Android floating around the web in mid-August. The OS seen in the video looks a lot like what we saw in those photos, so it appears to be the genuine article. Verizon Wireless will reportedly be the first carrier with a phone running Ice Cream Sandwich when it launches Samsung’s upcoming Droid Prime in October.

Ice Cream Sandwich appears to take cues from both Honeycomb and Gingerbread. It uses a blue color instead of green on notifications and icons, has a Honeycomb-like multitasking menu and a revamped notification bar and camera interface.

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Sadly, the tipster who took the video claims his new Nexus S was remotely locked and wiped after the video appeared online, so now there’s no way to double-check the unit’s authenticity. Still, it’s fun to see what Google may have up its sleeve.

The full Ice Cream Sandwich demo video can be viewed below:

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