[Galaxy S II General] kickassdave:
Guys, I've got a perfectly acceptable alternative means of having a VERY close look and feel to ICS without actually having it yet....

please follow the following steps;

(this will require 61pence from you though for an app as well - don't ***** - it's hardly going to bankrupt you all!!)

1) Download the latest CM7 from here:

http://download.cyanogenmod.com/get/cm_galaxys2_full-116.zip

place this on your SD card

2) Download the latest gapps from here:

http://goo-inside.me/gapps/gapps-gb-20110828-signed.zip

place this on your SD card

3) Download the ICS ripped keyboard from here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1358769

Place this on your SD card

4) Download this custom made ICS apk file from here:

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?1287m2xanv2k3fh

(FULL credits to DaxElectro who created this)

5) Use the patcher from this post to modify the CM7 framework and SystemUI files (both located inside the CWM zip of the latest nightly)

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=19639945&postcount=3

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS CAREFULLY.

framework-res.apk is located in the following folder:

\system\framework

copy this to the equivalent folder in the extracted folders for the Patcher program.

systemUI.apk is located in the following folder:

\system\app

copy this to the eqivalent folder in the extracted folders for the Patcher program.

Once done -- run the "Patcher.exe" file and press "y" then ENTER when prompted. You will get an error, ignore this.

Inside the Patcher program folder, you should now have a zip file called "update-Hello World!-ac-patch"

PLACE THIS ON YOUR SD CARD.

6) Download the ICS lock screen CWM zip file from here:

http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=783570&d=1321375196

(FULL credits go to the dev:DameonAndMeagan for creating this -- thank you)

Place this on your SD card

7) Reboot in to CWM

8) Go to mounts and storage and wip

\system

\cache

\data

9) Now FINALLY... go to install zip from SD card

10) First install the CM nightly zip file

11) Install the CM nightly file again

12) Boot the ROM and then reboot in to CWM

13) Flash the "update-Hello World!..." zip file we created previously.

14) Flash the "ICS_Lock_Framework_..." file we saved to the SD card.

15) Flash the latest "gapps-gb..." file we saved to the SD card.

16) REBOOT.

17) Configure your Google settings on startup.

18) Install the 2 APK files we saved to SD card --

"icskeyboard.apk" AND "ICSMixed_v2.3.0_HDP...."

19) Enable the ICS keyboard as you would normally (I shouldn't have to explain this!!)

20) Open the "Theme Chooser" application from the app drawer, and choose the new ICS theme from here.

ALMOST THERE.... here's the part some may moan about...

21) Download and install "GO Launcher EX" from the market as well as "Home switcher for Froyo"

22) OPTIONAL--- (but HIGHLY recommended)

download and purchase the following theme for GO Launcher EX

"GO Launcher EX Theme ICS" -- it costs 61pence -- BIG DEAL!

23) Now apply this theme from the GO Launcher theme settings.

24) Add the analog clock widget on to the home screen.

TO GET EVEN CLOSER TO ICS LOOK AND FEEL:

25) Go in to GO Launcher preferences --> Effect Settings -->

Desktop transition effect = Default

Enter/Exit transition = Zoom

Horizontal scroll effect = Wave

26) Now go back -- then in to Advanced Settings

Tick "High Quality scrolling"

Now to download the ICS live wallpaper from the market:

27) search for "ICS live wallpaper" and select and dowload the one called "ICS Phase Beam Live Wallpaper" -- install and then set this.

DONE

:D

**EDITS** sorry I should say that I would recommend a wipe before doing this -- this is because you are installing latest CM7 as well as modification to system files...

make a Titanium backup if you are scared lol... or a CWM backup and you can go back if you have any problems....

Might I also recommend the Siyah kernel for use with CM7 as well. -- Happy days.