Can the software buttons be hidden (back, home, multitask)?

[jimbl]

From what I understand, the back, home, and ?multitask? button are built into the ICS software, so to speak. Can they be hidden, or do they always take up screen space? Seems strange to have that huge screen but part of it is always used up by those buttons. So really it isn't a 4.65" "viewable" screen. Thanks.

 

[terpitude71]

they go away when it makes sense for them to do so (i.e. when youre watching video on the device). there is no way to make them disappear aside from that

 

[jimbl]

they go away when it makes sense for them to do so (i.e. when youre watching video on the device). there is no way to make them disappear aside from that

Thanks. And when they go away, is that part of the screen now usable by the video or whatever is on the screen? Thanks again.