[Download] [How To] Android 4.0 ICS Alpha ROM For Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, Neo V, Ray Available Now

A couple of days ago, Huawei has managed to bring the Alpha build of the Android 4.0 ICS ROM for its Honor handset. Another manufacturer, Sony Ericsson has already announced that it will upgrade it entire 2011 Xperia lineup with the new Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS software. Today, it has released out the Android 4.0 ICS Alpha ROM for a set of bootloader-unlocked Xperia handsets including Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray. It look like, this test version is much better than the Samsung Galaxy S II release, which has been outed yesterday.

Since it is a test build of the Android 4.0 ICS, it will not works as the final version and it’s made for limited usage bringing a few functions only. Sony Ericsson has posted the details of the Alpha ROM on its official blog post of the developer portal. Here is the list of the features that you can get a feel for what SE’s version of ICS form this Alpha ROM:

# Addition of the New “Roboto” font.
# New “Holo” theme is supported (you are able to test apps written to make use of the Holo theme).
# Music player control from lock screen.
# Updated UI in the Settings menu.
# Updated UI in the web browser.
# Updated UI and interaction with the new messaging action bar.
# Updated UI for improved multitasking.
# Swipe to dismiss notifications, tasks and browser tabs in the Notification menu.

List of the functions that are not working with Android 4.0 ICS Alpha ROM:

# Google Mobile Services – Gmail, Google Maps and remaining apps are not included
# Modem is turned off and SIM card will not be recognized and you can’t make phone calls.
# Turned off features – Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ and FM radio.

Download

Owners of unlocked Xperia Arc S, Neo V, and Ray models now have the opportunity to check out the progress of test build. You can download the Android 4.0 ICS Alpha ROM (weighing 131MB to 132MB) for Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray handsets by hitting the links provided here at below and follow the instructions provided to install the test build.

# Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Alpha ROM For Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S.
# Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Alpha ROM For Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo V.
# Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Alpha ROM For Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray.

Update (10/5/2012): Links removed

How To Install Android 4.0 ICS Alpha ROM on Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, Xperia Neo V and Xperia Ray

1. # Your Xperia handset should be running the latest software versio n 4.0.2.A.0.42 before you proceed for this.
   # Download the required Android 4.0 Alpha ROM (ZIP format) from the above download links by accepting the rules and regulations form.
   # Head over to unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com and unlock your Xperia handset.
   # Extract the downloaded ZIP file to your Android Fastboot directory –> \android-sdk\fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_alpha. (Replace the folder name if you are using Xperia™ neo V or Xperia™ ray).
   # From the Command Prompt, go to your Fastboot directory –> \android-sdk\fastboot\
   # Flash the three alpha ROM files one at a time using Fastboot by using the following three commands.
   >> fastboot flash boot ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_alpha\boot.img
   >> fastboot flash userdata ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_alpha\userdata.img
   >> fastboot flash system ..\Fastboot\Xperia_arcS_ICS_alpha\system.img.

Note: Replace the folder name if you are using Xperia Neo V or Xperia Ray handsets and also keep in mind that the final version of the Android 4.0 ICS update will not be installable on unlocked Xperia models.

Check out a brief video walkthrough showing off ICS features including the lock screen, music controls and task switcher.

Source: Sony Ericsson Developer World