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Topic: Android

Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

Summary: Google has lifted the lid on the upcoming Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' tablet operating system - and it sure looks pretty!

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

By for Hardware 2.0 |

Google has lifted the lid on the upcoming Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' tablet operating system - and it sure looks pretty!

Check out the Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' gallery here!

So, what's new?

  • New UI designed from the ground up for tablets - Featuring a System bar for global statuses and notifications, an Action Bar for application control, customizable Home Screen and a Recent Apps list.
  • Redesigned keyboard - More screen space on a tablet means a better keyboard
  • Improved text selection, copy and paste - Yes, copy and paste ... people still use it!
  • New connectivity options - Whole raft of features to help make connecting your tablet to networks and other devices easier.
  • Updated set of standard apps - Browser, camera and gallery, contacts and email are all improved.
  • Loads of new developer features - - New UI framework for creating great tablet apps - High-performance 2D and 3D graphics - Support for multicore processor architectures - Rich multimedia and connectivity - Enhancements for enterprise - Compatibility with existing apps

Home Screen

Customized Home Screen

Tasks

Text Selection

Browser

Camera

Contacts

Widgets

Mail

Looks awesome!

 

Other coverage:

Topics: Android, Google

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Talkback

35 comments
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  • Adrian, the biggest question is battery life with multi-tasking and Flash.

    That will make or break Honeycomb tablets. Seeing the Xoom, running with dual core at CES, we know it is the real deal, the performance, UI, etc.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

      @DonnieBoy
      This will destroy Apple, iPad can't compete with Google...
      Hasam1991
      Reply Vote

      • Well, iPad 2 is coming. I expect Android to be a strong number 2 in tablets

        but, it might be years before they can overtake Apple in tablets like they did with phones.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • A little over the top, aren't we, Hasam?

        @Hasam1991
        Can't quite see that "destroy Apple" thing happening.
        Userama
        Reply Vote

    • But the UI is a mess, and people don't read specs

      @DonnieBoy, they buy what looks good.
      Unless they change the UI, and fast, people will pass this up for the iPad.

      IMHO, even the WP7 UI is much, much nicer looking then Honeycomb.
      AllKnowingAllSeeing
      Reply Vote

      • It looks more "Windowsy" than the iPad.

        @AllKnowingAllSeeing
        For some folks, that's a good thing, I guess.
        Userama
        Reply Vote

      • Userama, you could be right

        @AllKnowingAllSeeing
        though if you're competing with a PC, yes, make it look like what they have already, but competing with the iPad, they had better make it look more towards a tablet
        AllKnowingAllSeeing
        Reply Vote

      • No, the UI is not a mess, it has been very well received. Only the Windows

        propeller heads have their p-anties in a bunch about this since MS has nothing to show here.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

    • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

      @DonnieBoy Maybe the new ARM can shutdown cores, plus I imagine the manufacturing will go to smaller and smaller transistors reducing the area and power requirements (low voltage). My BB does multi-tasking and it doesn't suffer battery problems (unless I turn on the GPS). And tablets have way more room for more battery.
      My guess is that the large display is the biggest power hog.
      DevGuy_z
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

      @DonnieBoy

      Adrian also seems to be aesthetically challenged.

      Pretty? This UI is another haphazard mess.

      Welcome to the 20th century ;-)
      tonymcs@...
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

      @DonnieBoy

      I have multi-tasking and Flash on both my Android phone and my 7" Android tablet today with no battery issues. Why should this be any different?
      kb5ynf
      Reply Vote

  • Great -- provided you plug in a mouse

    These tiny widgets, controls and overlapping windows look unsuitable for a touch device. Adrian, you recently critisiced Win 7 on tablets for fiddly controls, why do you think this is "awesome"?

    I assume Android tablets will come with a stylus?
    The Star King
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

      @The Star King
      You clearly haven't used an Android device if you think Widgets are a problem. Widgets do what you want them to.

      The problem is you.
      Droid101
      Reply Vote

    • It will, NOT need a stylus, there will be no detailed manipulation of

      widgets that require a stylus. It is a touch interface, nothing like Windows. Maybe the clock reminds you of Vista, but that is about the extent of the similarities.
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

    Okay, so I've been surfing the net to see what others are saying about the Honeycomb screenshots and not one single tech blogger or "journalist" has had the wherewithal to ask:

    What exactly happens to one's kick ass arrangement of widgets when you flip the tablet to PORTRAIT? Does it even have a portrait orientation?

    All the screenshots I've come across seem to suggest not.
    Delvardo
    Reply Vote

    • You will mostly interact in landscape as that is much more natural on a

      tablet. For a specific application that works better in portrait, that will of course be possible. The widgets will undoubtedly not work out as well in portrait.
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

        @DonnieBoy

        "You will most likely..."

        I *will*? Speak for yourself please.

        If it turns out that there are no portrait orientations while in the home screens, that'll be hilarious.

        Pathetic, but hilarious.
        Delvardo
        Reply Vote

      • If the first version does not work well in portrait when you are not in an

        application that will not be a killer. Google has a very compelling entry, and having to hold it in landscape to get the best experience while navigating menus / widgets, etc, is NOT a big deal.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Android 3.0 'Honeycomb' - First look

        @DonnieBoy

        So you're saying it's like a smartphone UI. Stuck in one orientation on the home screens. And you're fine with that. Ok I get it.
        Delvardo
        Reply Vote

      • Delvardo: If you have to hold it in landscape to get the best experience,

        it will not be a big deal. Most people like landscape mode, as almost ALL monitors for a PC can not be rotated, and are in LANDSCAPE. In any case, if there is an application that works well in portrait mode, there will be no problem at all, Honeycomb supports it. You are really grasping at straws here to find fault with Honeycomb.
        DonnieBoy
        Reply Vote
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