Android 4.0.4 Arrives on Xperia ray at Vodafone Australia

Google’s Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system is now available for download for the owners of an Xperia ray smartphone at Vodafone in Australia.

The wireless carrier has just announced the immediate availability of the platform upgrade, while noting that a nice range of enhancements are included in it.

The Android Ice Cream Sandwich update comes with build number 4.1.B.0.431 attached to it, while featuring kernel version 2.6.32.9-perf BuildUser@BuildHost #1.

“Sony have advised that the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich platform upgrade for Xperia ray handsets sold by Vodafone in Australia is now available,” Vodafone notes in a blog post.

“This is a platform upgrade and will introduce a number of new features and enhancements. Some menu items have moved and the user interface has been refreshed,” the wireless carrier continues.

Following the update, users will see Software version 1248-9545_4.1.B.0.431 on their handsets (customization version 1252-1048_R4I).

Some of the main enhancements packed inside this update include:

- Android Ice Cream Sandwich update
- User Interface step-ups (e.g. resizable widgets, task manager, transitions)
- Improved Exchange ActiveSync support
- Improved Facebook inside
- Various system efficiency updates

The update is offered free of charge, the carrier notes. Before kicking off the update process, users should make sure that the battery inside their devices has been charged at least at 50 percent.

They should also back up all data on the smartphone, just to make sure that no important files are lost during the upgrade process.

“Our testing found there was a minor performance drop with the introduction of Ice Cream Sandwich to this phone. Should you wish to roll back to the previous version, 'Gingerbread,' this can be done at an authorized Sony repair center,” Vodafone also notes.

Xperia ray users should note that the platform upgrade is available for them only via the Sony PC Companion. You can learn more info on how to perform the upgrade on Vodafone’s support website.