Android 2.1 SDK available now; includes USB driver for Nexus One

After hopeful developers were complaining about the delay of its release at CES last weekend, Android Developers have published the SDK component for Android 2.1, available now for download on their website.

Third-party developers have a shot to analyze it and build apps for it before this version is even released on most Android-powered devices. There aren't many significant additions, however, some of which include animated wallpapers along with updates to WebKit, telephony and views. Apparently the OS also runs faster on the Droid now.

Notably, SDK 2.1 also supports a new USB manager for the Nexus One, which could either be used to backup your phone on your computer each time you connect, or use it as a USB drive and transfer files back and forth, or both.