I updated from a totally stock .905 to ICS last night. I've spent about 3-4 hours on my Bionic and my Bionic Lapdock. Here are my observations (I'm a total layman at this, so I'll write from this perspective):
After the initial boot the phone was sluggish, but this seemed largely due to tutorial screens that launched for each new action. I rebooted after 30 minutes and the lag went away. Screens switch and apps open remarkably fast. Not, minor-update fast (which, really, is just a placebo effect) -- fresh out of the box fast.
The UI is pretty, crisp and very "new Google-esque". I used to run GoLauncher with SimpleText replacing all of my icons with text (as I burned out on the Motorola Android-look with my D1), but, I have to say, ICS is sexy.
Screen Unlock is very quick whether you go into a specific application or just unlock. Face unlock is cute, but I won't be using it on two accounts: 1) I don't want to see a grainy, low-light version of myself every time I unlock my phone and 2) I have two sons that look just like me.
As reported, Gmail, Calendar, Contacts etc. have completely changed their look. It will take some getting used to, but it is very neat and very slick. [Side note: haptic feedback is set to "stun". Very OG Droid. I feel like the keyboard is high-fiving my thumbs with each press]. The keyboard layout is more spaced, and so far I like it.
Re: 3G/4G and Wifi...I'm in a 3G area but have been on Wifi from the initial install. I will report back on 3-4G switching by Monday. Radio service has been consistent 4-5 bars (Verizon, 93550 zip).
I have encountered NO errors with the phone thus far. On to the Lapdock...
My PRIMARY reason for wanting ICS was because of my desire to make my Bionic Lapdock WORK. Full disclosure: my Lapdock was free. So I put up with the god-awful Webtop UI and didn't complain much. But a week ago (I know), I learned that ICS/Webtop 3.0 would replace 2.0. I haven't seen a whole lot of feedback here regarding ICS/Lapdock issues-- except for you Saints that mentioned alternative launchers...bless you -- so here are my observations:
I first booted the Lapdock after my initial install of 4.0.4, using the native launcher. I immediately received a "System UI" error and could not get past the welcome screen. I tried this two more times and received the same error. I felt like if I could JUST check the "don't show this again" box I could move on...THIS is when I remembered that a few of you were having success booting into Lapdock from GoLauncher. This is when it got strange...
Once Lapdock booted up, I checked the "do not show this again" box on the Webtop Welcome Screen. Immediately I was looking at a full screen version of my GoLauncher home screen, but I could not interact with any icons. At the bottom right of the screen there was an option to switch from phone to webtop mode, but when selected, nothing happened. I went back and forth a few times then decided to do my first reboot.
Once the phone fully booted, I switched to GoLauncher and connected to the Lapdock. Immediately I received the same weird phone home screen. This time, I was able to click my home screen icons. I entered my browser, browsed for a moment and then, closing it, I was at the Webtop 3.0 home screen. I have no idea how...
I spent about an hour on the Lapdock after this and had no problems except for when I closed the Lapdock. When this was done, I received the same "System UI" error on my phone's screen.
The Lapdock's UI is incredible, and while the Lapdock's hardware challenges remain (e.g. track pad and keyboard), interaction with the Lapdock is much better. I can't figure out why carriers have been blowing out Lapdocks recently. It's finally viable! I'll speculate that a much more intuitive Lapdock (or hybrid) is on the way...
All in all, I'm glad I updated. I was absolutely terrified of doing it (I've never rooted or modded or done anything beyond replacing my launcher), but this leak is quality. On top of that, ICS is the best thing to happen to Android.
- Jonny
