After many discussions and speculations on forums and tech blogs, the Android fans all over the world finally got an answer from Google about the new version of Android, code named Android 2.3 Gingerbread. As you can see from the title, it turns out that it’s not really the real 3.0 version, but merely 2.3, and all the wondrous features that were attributed to it were just rumors.
That doesn’t mean that Gingerbread didn’t bring anything new to the already great OS. There are a lot of improvements, both under the hood and on the exterior. First of all, and this is the most noticeable addition for the users, developers revamped the interface, making it sleeker, faster and more user-friendly. The standard skin has changed and the usual 3D-fied notification bar and launcher bar are more square and 2D looking, kind of reminding of Windows Phone 7 more than of the iPhone interface.
That can put off some users (I didn’t like it, for example), but you have to remember this is Android – you can easily change the theme and even turn the whole interface into an iPhone and soon enough, Windows Phone 7 clone.
Other small, but noticeable improvements to the UI are the ability to open and delete files you downloaded right from the Download app (it was annoying having to use a file manager to navigate and delete files manually), the addition of a task manager app (basically a task killer integrated into the OS), an improved keyboard and better copy-paste support in the browser.
In addition to that, you get an improved battery life thanks to the more aggressive task management and killing settings, which also comes with a better power manager app (2.2 Froyo also has one, but it’s kind of hidden deep in the menus).
Under the hood, developers have implemented support for Near Field Communications and Gyroscope sensors, which may come in handy in the future (the Nexus S already has those). NFC is like an improved version of RFID – you can use it to securely transmit data at close distances, which will be used in credit card apps (yep, you’ll replace your plastic card with an app in the next 10 years), and the gyroscope could be used to measure levels, for example, making your smartphone even smarter.
VoIP and Internet calling has become pretty widespread, and with network operators integrating the SIP technology into their networks, people will now have the ability to place VoIP calls without any app or special number, making calls cheaper and reducing network load. This of course needs support from the handsets and software, and Android is the first mobile OS to provide it. It’ll be a while before everyone can use it, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Aside from these noticeable additions, there are a lot of hidden bug fixes and improvements in the code that will make the new OS better and faster than before. The Google Nexus S will come with the new OS preinstalled, and the Nexus One will receive an OTA update in the following weeks, which is great news for everyone, as it means anyone else with a relatively modern phone (that came after the Motorola Droid) is able to use the 2.3 version, and some developers will definitely release such a version (like Cyanogenmod). Until then, we’ll have to make do with the good old Froyo
That doesn’t mean that Gingerbread didn’t bring anything new to the already great OS. There are a lot of improvements, both under the hood and on the exterior. First of all, and this is the most noticeable addition for the users, developers revamped the interface, making it sleeker, faster and more user-friendly. The standard skin has changed and the usual 3D-fied notification bar and launcher bar are more square and 2D looking, kind of reminding of Windows Phone 7 more than of the iPhone interface.
That can put off some users (I didn’t like it, for example), but you have to remember this is Android – you can easily change the theme and even turn the whole interface into an iPhone and soon enough, Windows Phone 7 clone.
Other small, but noticeable improvements to the UI are the ability to open and delete files you downloaded right from the Download app (it was annoying having to use a file manager to navigate and delete files manually), the addition of a task manager app (basically a task killer integrated into the OS), an improved keyboard and better copy-paste support in the browser.
In addition to that, you get an improved battery life thanks to the more aggressive task management and killing settings, which also comes with a better power manager app (2.2 Froyo also has one, but it’s kind of hidden deep in the menus).
Under the hood, developers have implemented support for Near Field Communications and Gyroscope sensors, which may come in handy in the future (the Nexus S already has those). NFC is like an improved version of RFID – you can use it to securely transmit data at close distances, which will be used in credit card apps (yep, you’ll replace your plastic card with an app in the next 10 years), and the gyroscope could be used to measure levels, for example, making your smartphone even smarter.
VoIP and Internet calling has become pretty widespread, and with network operators integrating the SIP technology into their networks, people will now have the ability to place VoIP calls without any app or special number, making calls cheaper and reducing network load. This of course needs support from the handsets and software, and Android is the first mobile OS to provide it. It’ll be a while before everyone can use it, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
Aside from these noticeable additions, there are a lot of hidden bug fixes and improvements in the code that will make the new OS better and faster than before. The Google Nexus S will come with the new OS preinstalled, and the Nexus One will receive an OTA update in the following weeks, which is great news for everyone, as it means anyone else with a relatively modern phone (that came after the Motorola Droid) is able to use the 2.3 version, and some developers will definitely release such a version (like Cyanogenmod). Until then, we’ll have to make do with the good old Froyo
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