With the release of Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), the latest and (as some say) greatest version of Android, Google’s reputation of being the first to update their Nexus line of devices to the latest Android version was tarnished a little. Back in December, the Nexus S started receivingthe Android 4.0.3 update, but was later pulled as people started running into issues, leaving some people stuck on Gingerbread and others with a half-baked ICS update. The Galaxy Nexus, Google’s official ICS phone, on the other hand has been stuck on Android 4.0.2, even though Android 4.0.3 has been available for quite some time and is recommended by Google to be the version all manufacturers should base ICS on.

Of course, Google is not one to sit around and watch. Though news had already leaked of Android 4.0.4 being in the works, there was no official confirmation. But turns out it was true and the wait for disgruntled customers is now over, as Google has started pushing an Android 4.0.4 update to both the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus S (and also to the Motorola Xoom Wi-Fi version). Google mentions that the update brings stability improvements, better camera performance, smoother screen rotation, improved phone number recognition and more.

It’s not all good news however, as the update is currently being pushed to only the GSM versions of both devices, so owners of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus S 4G from Sprint will have to wait a little while longer before they can get the update on their devices. But now that the update has started, I guess it won’t be that long before the non-GSM variants receive it as well.

Don’t forget to check if the update is available for your device. If you’ve already updated, do let us know how the update is treating your phone. Are you happy that the update is finally hitting the update servers, or are you mad at Google for delaying it for so long? Do let us know in the comments.