Android Ice Cream Sandwich apps leak

Android Police got more than a look at the revised Google+ app with their Nexus Prime scoop; the site also got access to what appears to be the next version of Google Music. Version 4 is largely a visual and layout refresh that opts for solid lines and simple shapes over Music 3’s bevels and drop shadows. As Lifehacker notes, it’s reminiscent of the iOS web app. You’ll also find a cleaner music selection screen with a much-needed search button, and the playback screen now gives higher priority to cover art. While Google Music 4 is expected to appear with Ice Cream Sandwich, the downloadable app, available from Android Police, will run on Gingerbread and Froyo.

Screenshots of Ice Cream Sandwich acquired by Android Police suggest that Google+ version 2.0 is renaming its group chat feature yet again; once Huddle, then the generic Messenger, it will next be the slightly more poetic Chord. Several notes, working in harmony? Granted, it’s less generic than Messenger—the name is used by both Facebook and Yahoo for their chat products—but renaming the app on the occasion of each major release can’t be helping it gain any new users. No word yet on whether Chords will make the move to the iOS version of Google+ or finally come to the desktop via the browser version of the site.