If you own the Samsung Galaxy S2 and have updated it to Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) Android 4.0, you will have noticed that Samsung uses their own version of some default apps like the Launcher (i.e TouchWiz), Calendar, Messaging, etc. Now, while Samsung’s versions were usually better than Google’s stock apps in the pre-ICS days, the default apps by Google that come with Android 4.0 are quite good and improved over previous ones.
But now, thanks to XDA modder Timmmmmm who wasn’t happy with the absence of the stock Android 4.0 apps on his Galaxy S2, you can install the stock Launcher, Calendar and Messaging apps from Android 4.0 on your Galaxy S2 running on Ice Cream Sandwich firmware (with more stock apps apparently on the way). For those that prefer the stock Android 4.0 apps over Samsung’s custom versions, this should be pretty helpful. Of course, you can also try the apps on other phones, provided they are running Ice Cream Sandwich as the apps are not compatible with Gingerbread and previous Android versions.
In case you are interested, you can head over to the Launcher, Calendar, and Messaging Google Play Store links to download them on your phone. Direct APK links for the apps are also provided on the original development page on XDA, if you don’t/can’t use the Google Play Store to install them. Share your thoughts on the apps with us, in the comments below.
