Gradient compatibility issue - ICS defaults to fewer colors than all the previous versions of Android

2.3.3 left, ICS on right (emulator). Notice the gradient fade effect difference inside the red box.

Gingerbread (2.3.3) emulator left, ICS (4.0.3) emulator right. Notice the gradient fade effect difference inside the red box (open in separate window to see the full sized image).

Mainview background:

<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:background="@drawable/app_bg"
android:orientation="vertical" >

...

</LinearLayout>

app_bg.xml

<shape xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:shape="rectangle">
<gradient android:startColor="#000" android:centerColor="#333"
    android:endColor="#000" android:angle="270" />
</shape>

What is causing this issue? How to fix this, so that the ICS gradient would look as smooth as the 2.3.3 version? Does the problem occur only on emulator?

Solution

Just verified on ICS 4.0.3 device: this is emulator ONLY problem.