Android ICS on the EVO 4G

First, a disclaimer: This post is probably only relevant to EVO 4G users who enjoy custom ROMs, or ROM developers who are following their user's experiences.


So my contract on my EVO 4G isn't up until November April. And neither Sprint nor HTC are planning to release an official update to the next major version of the Android OS (version 4, AKA Ice Cream Sandwich). So if I am going to experience ICS at all in the foreseeable future, I am stuck rooting my phone and trying one of the hacked ports of ICS.

Now I've seen the list of ICS ports on the XDA forums, but I will admit I am hesitant to try many of the builds unless I have a lot of prior experience with the developers, and/or they have a reputation for putting together solid ROMs.

I have given the Android Open Kang Project a try (build 30) but experienced random lockups, reboots and a generally non-functioning camera.

Now, I realize that the camera issue is still a widespread problem for the EVO, because there isn't a solid ICS driver for the camera hardware yet (But come on, HTC, how difficult could it be to "leak" the drivers to the open source community? You would be doing yourself a favor).

So I will be running CyanogenMod 7.2 (whatever seems to be the latest stable RC/nightly) until either CM9 RC1 is released for the EVO 4G, or someone points me in the direction of a stable ICS port.

Will Android ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) be available on the EVO 4G?

I have become an avid CyanogenMod user since 7.1 resurrected my wife's Hero. Yes, the years-old HTC Hero running Gingerbread via CyanogenMod 7.1, and running great.

But more than resurrecting obsolete phones, the Cyanogen team is currently working on CyanogenMod 9, and that will bring an unofficial port of ICS to phones such as the EVO 4G, which would otherwise be abandoned by Sprint (and other carriers) from the official system update channels.

From what I have gathered, the biggest issue on the EVO 4G is finding a proper camera driver that works with ICS. Cyanogen has submitted a request to HTC to release an updated driver.

So with a little luck, the hard work of the Cyanogen team, and a lot of patience from CM fans such as myself, ICS will be on the EVO 4G in the foreseeable future.