I love Android because you can change almost everything. Case in point, the ICS soft keys can be changed on the Galaxy Nexus. I have modified mine using Zip Themer by Ken Ellinwood. With this tool you can change the look of the buttons by running the app and flashing a zip file through Rom Manager.

Obligatory disclaimer: You are responsible for any consequences resulting from tweaking, rooting, or modifying your phone or tablet. If something out of the ordinary happens we can’t guarantee that it can be undone. Neither RootzWiki nor the developers associated with the contained mods are in any way liable for anything that happens beyond this point.

Over in our forums atticus182 has a great thread with a collection of soft keys for downloading and complete instructions. Essentially you install Zip Themer from the market. Next, you need to download the soft key collection that you like to your phone SD card. Once that is done, open the app and click the menu button (three dots at the bottom of the screen) and click Update Edify. Hit Browse and pick the file that you flashed the ROM from. In my case I browsed out to the LiquidSmooth zip file. Then hit Configure. Press the back button Click the +Theme button to build the file you will flash. At this point it will also create the undo file. Browse out to where you have the soft keys that you downloaded earlier and select "Build It!". Once the files are created reboot into recovery and flash them.

There are several methods to put the soft keys on, but the Zip Themer is by far the easiest way. After you reboot you will have the new keys. It is a great way to make your phone stand out. With so many icon sets to try out you might be flashing quite often until you find your absolute favorite. As always, make a Nandroid backup before you try any of this. I have put my phone into boot loops by incorrectly flashing these or skipping steps.

This whole process may take you 10-15 minutes the first time. After you have done it once you will be an expert and will be able to flash them in 5 minutes. It is something that I would recommend that a beginner take their time doing. If you are not familiar with flashing ROMs you may want to get more experience before trying this. If you feel up to the task head over to the thread and make your Galaxy Nexus stand out.

Ken Ellington's ZIP Themer is available at the Google Play Store