Back in late January, an Android 4.0.4 ICS IMM26 update has been leaked for the Sprint branded Google Nexus S 4G CDMA phones. Finally, Google has managed to roll out the official Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich OS update for its Samsung-made Nexus S GSM handsets, bringing a new build number of IMM76D. According to the users reports, the Android 4.0.4 ICS update IMM76D will bring the following enhancements,
# The time lag between clicking & opening menu items is now negligible, just like Gingerbread.
# The camera from lockscreen loads up faster.
# The rotation animation is faster.
# Battery bug is fixed!
# 3D apps load up faster…
# Overall a faster & better update by Google.
# I think Ice Cream Sandwich was not finished until December, but now it feels a finished/polished product.
How To Manually Download Android 4.0.4 ICS Update IMM76D on Nexus S GSM
The OTA update will notify you on your handsets asking to tap Install Now button. You can also try to manually install the Android 4.0.4 ICS update IMM76D by following the instructions provided here at below:
- Download Android 4.0.4 ICS IMM76D OTA package.
- Rename it to update.zip.
- Copy it over to the root of the internal storage on your Nexus S.
- Turn off handset. Now hold volume up and power to reboot to the bootloader.
- Using the volume key to navigate, select recovery, then use the power button to confirm
- When you see the warning triangle and arrow, hold the power button and tap volume up. You’ll see a menu.
- From the menu, select “apply update from /sdcard”, and choose update.zip from the list.
- Let it do its thing and update your system, radio, and other partitions. When finished, choose “reboot system now”
- Enjoy Android 4.0.4 ICS goodies.
If you’re running stock recovery (and you will have to be on Android 4.0.3 ICS build) on your GSM Nexus S handset, the above instructions should work fine. If you’re running ClockworkMod or another alternate recovery, you can reboot into it and flash the update zip the normal way.