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Topic: Android

Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

Summary: Google has finally unveiled the long-awaited Android 2.3 operating system, more commonly known now as Gingerbread.

Rachel King

By for The ToyBox |

Google has finally unveiled the long-awaited Android 2.3 operating system, more commonly known now as Gingerbread.

The Goog has implemented a lot of improvements and tweaks the Android platform in this release, detailed extensively over at the Android Developers blog. But here's a snippet of what developers can expect with the SDK/NDK, which is available now:

  • Simplified user interface
  • More "intuitive" text input plus a re-designed keyboard with multi-touch support
  • VoIP calling support
  • Video calling support via a front camera
  • Cut-and-paste: one-touch word selection
  • NFC support
  • Application control manager
  • Updated video drivers and other enhancements for improved gaming
  • API support

All of this will be seen in action soon when the Nexus S smartphone debuts on December 16 as the lead device for the Gingerbread platform.

For a closer look at Android 2.3, check out Google's introduction video below:

Topics: Android, Google

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21 comments
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  • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

    Yay! Time to celebrate even more Android platform fragmentation. What a nightmare!
    Tiggster
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

      @Tiggster
      Steve Jobs has your paycheck waiting for you.
      Droid101
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Droid101 Sorry, but Device Fragmentation is to Android what the Walled Garden is to the iPhone...each platform's greatest weakness.

        Its pure fanboi-ism to either platform which blinds people to these (and other) faults of each platform.

        Lets face it...Android is good. So is iOS. Each have their strengths and weaknesses. But ignoring "your" device's weaknesses is the realm of fanboi-ism.
        samalie
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Droid101 I get a paycheck from Steve Jobs? Wow! That's awesome! I don't even own a single Apple product, so I don't know how I ended up on the payroll, but its nice to know. LOL
        Tiggster
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Droid101 At least Steve won't preload 50 crapware apps and prevent you from uninstalling them...
        hfsma
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @hfsma - neither does Google. The carriers do that. The apps that Google pre-installs are either necessary or just plain good. The only one I got rid of was Goggles. Oh, yea, if you root you can delete unwanted apps, didn't you know?
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

    They didn't mention tablet support?
    mejohnsn
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

      @mejohnsn - For the [b]hundredth[/b] time: Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) will be the tablet version. It will be released first quarter 2011.
      babyboomer57
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @babyboomer57 Always trying to catch up with Apple... sad LOL
        hfsma
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

    So what do you people expect Google to do? Just stop updating Android? So far the only limitations to upgrading the OS on existing phones are #1-Carrier apathy or laziness (since the carriers upgrade the OS, not Google) and #2- Some phones shipped with 128 meg RAM, which is not sufficient to run the newer versions of Android. Sorry, again not Google's fault. The mfg's get the credit for that blunder.

    I have an original Droid, and don't expect Verizon to update it to version 2.3 since they won't consider it necessary. They want me to upgrade to a new phone. Oh, but that won't stop me - there will be plenty of custom ROMs for me to choose from in a month or two, which will be months (If not YEARS) before Verizon gets around to my phone, if they ever do.

    Let's not forget, there are older versions of iPhone that can't be upgraded to iOS 4.whatever - If Apple released new iPhones more often there would be a lot more than two of them that couldn't be upgraded. And what if there were other mfgs able to produce iOS phones? Then they would be in the same boat as Android.

    Pick the phone you like and quit putting down other people's OS/Platform of choice. We chose it, will will either live with it, or switch. Not really that complicated, you know?
    babyboomer57
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

      @babyboomer57 It is Google's responsibility to ensure that carriers keep their devices up to date. Otherwise it becomes a nightmare for both users and developers alike. Google's fundamental mistake has been to let carriers control the upgrade process, not Google itself. If you aren't willing to take responsibility for your own platform, fragmentation will be the ultimate result.
      Tiggster
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Tiggster - Sorry, WRONG.<br><br>Android is an OPEN platform that is <b>customized</b> by each carrier and manufacturer of the devices. All Google can do is provide them with the source code and let them have at it. <br><br>The ONLY control Google has over Android is which Google Apps (think "Market") are allowed on Android devices. This is apparent when you look at all the Android tablets coming out WITHOUT the Market app (as well as others).<br><br>When 3.0 Honeycomb is released, all of these tablets will have 'legal' Market access on all new devices, and if they update the previously released devices to 3.0. <br><br>Any 'phone' device is currently allowed to install the Market and the other apps which Google writes, and they are consistently updated OTA by Google. Replacing the customized version of Android itself on these devices by Google is not allowed.<br><br>If Android was NOT open, every handset with it installed would be identical software-wise, and then Google could control it and update it as necessary. If this was Google's choice, however, then everyone would be slamming it like they do iOS and the iPhone (and now WP7), and there would be FAR fewer Android phones to choose from.<br><br>Like I have said before, you can't have it both ways.
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

      • @babyboomer57

        Being "open" has little to do with the number of SKUs available on the platform. Just look at WinMo. It was a closed, but modular, system and has 1800+ SKUs.
        Bruizer
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @babyboomer57 To a techie who has the time and desire to tinker around with their phone, this "open" platform might be a great option, but it certainly is not for the average consumer. WP7 and iOS have it right in terms of security and end-user experience. This will be Android's undoing in the long term. Users want devices that just work, update themselves, and are not susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Android provides a lot of flexibility and power, but fails in the three areas is listed above.
        Tiggster
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Tiggster and Bruizer

        I don't disagree with either of you, but us 'techies' DO like Android. If you don't, fine, but don't knock it if it's not for you. Same goes for Apple iPhone, or WM6 or WP7. If Android was closed, things would be different, and Apple would have much more to worry about from WP7 than they do now, and Android would be trying to stay relevant.

        But for us that do like Android, each new release is a new challenge to master, and I GUARANTEE you I will have it running on my Droid before the end of January (assuming it will run on 256meg RAM). To heck with Verizon and the rest, at least we have the option to root the phone and do that whenever we choose.
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

      • @babyboomer57

        @Tiggster

        I am a "techie" and find Android a poor user experience.

        So you don't agree that WinMo has 1800+ SKUs? It does and is NOT open.
        Bruizer
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @Bruizer<br><br>Neither I nor Tiggster said a word about the number of versions of WM6, and I personally could care less.<br><br>My last response stated that I did NOT disagree with either of you. Try reading it again, please.<br><br>I'm glad you don't like Android, and don't care what you DO like, it is your choice, just like Android is mine, (at least for now).
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

      @babyboomer57 They should acquire Nokia and just make their own android device that is clean without any crapware apps...
      hfsma
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

        @hfsma They have one - ever heard of the Nexus?
        babyboomer57
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Google releases Android 2.3 Gingerbread SDK

    Day you see this on your current phone? never! you have to wait on your carier to update it which probably means you will just have to get another phone with another 2 year contract and 35 apps you didn't want or need and sadly you can't remove them.

    -Android user with Iphone envy...
    hfsma
    Reply Vote
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