Motorola RAZR and RAZR MAXX: Ice Cream Sandwich, videos, and complete update guide

  • The official Ice Cream Sandwich update is coming to the RAZR and RAZR MAXX, first to unlocked models and then to carrier-powered models.
  • You can check for this manually: Settings > About phone > System updates, with guided OTA installation.
  • Key new features: Lock screen shortcuts, camera with video stills, revamped icons, and improved performance.
  • Four-phase program (evaluation, development, testing, and release) with operator certification prior to deployment.
Miguel Criado

5 minutes

Motorola RAZR Ice Cream Sandwich updates

Motorola had already announced that its RAZR and RAZR Maxx models were going to be updated to Android 4.0 This second quarter. We'd already seen some versions of the ROM circulating online and on specialized sites. But it wasn't until now that the company, now owned by Google, published a wide-ranging series of videos of its phones running the latest available version of Ice Cream Sandwich.

Upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich It was already official, just as we had reported in Android Help In the past week. However, an official statement from the company hours later, which we also collected here, had raised some doubts. In it, the company assured that it would only update its terminals to Android 4.0 when the operating system made its terminals better. Luckily, it only referred to some older models and not the new RAZR.

To prove it, the company has published several videos showing how Ice Cream looks on the two RAZR models. From what can be seen in them, almost all icons have been changed and some elements also of place. But, in general, the change in appearance is not radical.

For instance, the screen lock now has four shortcuts to access messages, calls, camera, and unlock options. Motorola has created its own gallery app and the camera app has been updated to be able to capture still images when you are recording video. In this modification, the company has forgotten its social hub, in which it was necessary to enter and from there jump to the different social networks. Now, we will have to use, as is more logical, the applications of Twitter or Facebook.

There are many more new features that you can see in the various videos published. But the balance of change seems highly positive.

En Droid Life do all videos.

Availability and deployment by models and operators

Motorola RAZR ICS Update

La OTA update Motorola's RAZR and RAZR MAXX starts with the units free (international version). Terminals linked to operators may receive it later because each operator must approve and certify the compilation before releasing it. This explains why, for example, operators like Movistar usually publish it after the free models, while others, such as Telstra, may take a little longer depending on their own internal schedule and validation processes.

If you're using an imported or out-of-region RAZR, availability may vary depending on local certification. In all cases, when the update is ready, your phone will display a notification to download and install it via Wi‑Fi or mobile data.

How to check and download the update step by step

Guide to updating RAZR to ICS

In addition to waiting for the OTA notification, you can check manually if a version is available:

  1. Opens Settings from the gear icon or by searching for the app in the drawer.
  2. Sign in About of the phone and touches System updates (or “Software Updates”).
  3. Balance Check for update and wait for verification.
  4. If there is a new version, the system will display the changes included and the button Download and install.
  5. Complete the download with the phone charged (recommended) 50% or more) and preferably in Wi ‑ Fi.
  6. After downloading, choose Install NowThe RAZR will reboot and apply the package; do not power it off during this process.

In some batches, the jump is made from Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) a Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and can be identified with compilations such as 6.7.2-180_SPU-19-TA-11.2. Please note that once migrated to ICS, the operation it is not reversible using standard system options.

What's changing with Ice Cream Sandwich on the RAZR?

ICS Motorola RAZR News

  • Renewed interface with updated icons and menu reorganization; the look is cleaner, without losing Motorola's identity.
  • Lock screen with four shortcuts (calls, messages, camera and unlocking) to gain speed.
  • More complete camera: allows capture photos while recording video and improves firing speed.
  • New gallery Developed by Motorola, with agile display and better album management.
  • Goodbye to the old one social hub; networks are now integrated with their official apps (Twitter, Facebook, etc.).
  • Native ICS Features: Multitasking with Task Switcher recent apps, notifications richer, control of data usage and general performance improvements.

Motorola maintains its lightweight layer to add its own utilities without penalizing the Android experience. The result is a more fluid, with useful shortcuts and a gentle learning curve for those coming from Gingerbread.

Motorola Upgrade Program Schedule and Phases

Motorola details that each device goes through four phases before releasing a new version:

  • Evaluation and planning: analysis of benefits and potential technical challenges for the specific model.
  • Development: Version adaptation, partner drivers (Qualcomm, TI, NVIDIA) and own customizations.
  • Test: exhaustive verification; the duration depends on the deviceInternal dates are being finalized here.
  • Release: after the certification of operators and regulators, OTA deployment with user notification.

This itinerary explains why the pace can vary between regions and operators and why, historically, the fragmentation It's been one of the most repeated criticisms of Android. Still, with the RAZR and RAZR MAXX, the move to ICS comes with official videos, clear guidance, and an experience that, from what we've seen, offers tangible improvements without drastic changes that might confuse users.

Anyone who wants to delve deeper into the interface and visual changes can review the clips published by the brand: in Droid Life They have all the videos and are very useful for seeing the final version in action.


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