Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Android 4.0 Will Apparently Be Dubbed Ice Cream

By now you probably know that Google likes to name various versions of its Android OS after food, and we've already seen Android 1.5, 1.6, 2.0/2.1, and 2.2 being called Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, and Froyo (frozen yogurt) respectively. Aside from that, Android 3.0 will be dubbed Gingerbread, followed by Honeycomb. Now word is going around that Android 4.0 will be called Ice Cream, another frozen dessert. While there hasn't been any official confirmation on the code name just yet, it's expected that Android 4.0 Ice Cream will be arriving around mid-2011.

Sample Android 3.0 tablets rumored for CES 2011

With less than eighty days to go before the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show kicks off in Las Vegas, the tech rumor mill already is in high gear. Building off of the momentum created this year, I expect to see Android take on a major role at the electronics conference.

A big part of the platform's future hinges on tablets and the arsenal of iPad rivals that will be unleashed in the new year. DigiTimes is reporting today that Google is putting the final touches on Android 3.0 and is prepping sample tablets for a December rollout. Google is said to have already notified their partners of the platform's near completion.

According to "sources from notebook players," CES should see new Android tablets from the likes of Acer, Micro-Star, and Asustek Computer. Samsung will be in attendance and could show off an Android 3.0 version of its Galaxy Tab. Two other big names, Motorola and HTC, also are mentioned as displaying Android tablets at the annual event.

In a separate DigiTimes article posted today, Google reportedly is shifting its focus to Motorola for 3.0 with LG rumored to be getting preferential treatment for Honeycomb (3.5).

I should also note that Google has not paired any builds of Android with a release number so calling Honeycomb as Android 3.5 is a bit premature at this stage. That's not to say, however, that the crux of DigiTimes' articles isn't on the mark. For now, I'm just excited to see what lies ahead in January!

Android 3.0 Has Video Chat, Google TV Leanback Support

Google Android 3.0, or the Gingerbread build, will feature video chat support, SIP support for Google Voice on Android devices, and a major graphical redesign for the OS.

Now that almost every high-end smartphone has received or is in the process of receiving the upgrade to Android 2.2, attention turns to Android 3.0, the Gingerbread build optimized for tablet computers.

Thanks to Android-watching blog Phandroid, the world now knows a bit more.

In addition to what appears to be a major graphical overhaul of icons and user interface, the biggest confirmed features coming in Android 3.0 include video chat support leveraging the Google Talk protocols and SIP support for Google Voice.

SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol in Google Voice will let users receive calls to Google Voice over Wi-Fi and cellular data.

"For those who use Android devices without a voice plan, this means you can still use your phone as a phone as long as you're near a WiFi connection," the blog noted. "Nothing groundbreaking considering there are many VoIP options in the market currently, but it's notable that Google's adding this support natively."

This shouldn't come as a surprise. Google has shown a knack for porting technology from existing Web applications and inserting them into other Web services.

In fact, Google Voice has already provided a prime example of this with Google's integration of Google Voice into Gmail to let users call phones via Gmail.

Google declined to confirm the Gingerbread details when asked, noting that: "Gingerbread is due out by the end of the year but we have nothing else to say at this time."

Phandroid offered evidence of a graphical overhaul in a blurry screenshot, noting that most of the standard icons have been redesigned for a simpler and cleaner look, speculating that this could be the work of UI whiz Matias Duarte, who joined Google from Palm in May.

Moreover, apps in Android 3.0 will more closely hew to the OS, the blog said. Specifically, the YouTube app on Android 3.0 will include the ability to control YouTube Leanback, which provides continuous video play for Google TV.

This is crucial because Android handsets are expected to serve as another remote control for Google TV beyond the Logitech keyboard controller and Sony Internet TV and Blu-ray player remote controls.

Of course, what is known is that Android 3.0 has been optimized for tablet computers, thanks to the well-documented 1280-by-760 resolution.

Indeed, LG scrapped offering an Android 2.2 tablet, likely in anticipation of Android 3.0 later this year or early 2011.

Finally, we know Android 3.0 tablets are coming, thanks to Digitimes, which said Oct. 19 that Google has recently notified its partners that tablet PC engineer samples for Android 3.0 will appear in December.

Android 3.0 Gingerbread SDK coming next week

Folks over at Android Police have come up with news that Google will release the Android 3.0 aka Gingerbread SDK for developers next week. Android Police has proven to be a reliable source and this leak perfectly makes sense as Google announced earlier that Android 3.0 will be available by the end of this year.

Android 3.0 is targeted towards PC tablets, which are said to be “the next big things”. Google has already mentioned that its previous Android operating system does not perform great on internet tablets. Now the third indication about 3.0 Gingerbread coming next weeks is when we see the time frame of its Android versions released, like Android 1.0 fall 2008, Android 2.0 fall 2009 and Android 3.0 fall 2010? So it is quite clear that well soon see it in action.

Android 3.0 is said to bring video calling, which will compete with Apple’s Face Time and many of reports suggest that it will change the way that we use our phones. It is also presumed that the devices with Android 3.0 will be coming with Google Talk Video as standard.

So folks get yourself ready for Android 3.0 and let us know what you think about Google’s new Android version in the comment box below.

Google To Launch Android 3.0 Gingerbread Operating System Next Week?

New tech rumor surfaced that the Internet search giant is poised to release the SDK for its Android 3.0 operating system, named as Gingerbread, to developers starting next week, according to Android Police. Apparently, the latest version of Google’s OS will be geared towards tablet PC devices, which are reported to be “the next big thing” in OS market.

As of now, the Android 2.2, or “Froyo” is still in the process of rolling out to users, but the Mountain View, California-based company is already hard at work on its “Gingerbread.” The report suggests that gingerbread is packed with mor advance features and tablet friendly, and one of its primary feature is video chatting.

“We support video chat today with Google Talk Video,” said Andy Rubin, Google’s vice president of engineering, in an exclusive interview with PCmag last week. “It works on the desktop. Whether that can be repurposed and made appropriate for sipping bandwidth for mobile, it’s an exercise that’s under way.”

Android 3.0 Gingerbread Details Leaked On Internet

Google is developing its next Android iteration, Gingerbread, and it is expected that the new OS would have many visual upgrades, and it is likely that Google would also add video chat and VoIP to Android's list of features. Google’s Android keeps on changing very quickly as Google keeps on updating its OS pretty frequently.

The company has launched Android 2.2, codenamed “Froyo,” over the summer and now details are leaking that Google is gearing up to release OS’s next iteration, codenamed “Gingerbread.” Phandroid has posted some rumored features for Gingerbread and it has also posted a very blurry picture of the OS.

According to Phandroid the new OS will support video chat which used same technology that is used to run Google Chat on PCs. This suggests that the new generation of the Android-powered devices will have more front-facing cameras. The video chat was introduced by Apple on its devices with the iPhone 4. Android phones like the HTC EVO 4G also support video chat and they do so using the apps.

The Gingerbread will also have SIP support, which will allow its users to receive Voice calls over Wi-Fi and cellphone data plans. It is expected that the main app icons of the new OS will redesigned to look and feel more consistent. Phandroid reported that Google has also added some visual effects in the new OS, like a glowing rubber-banding effect and some more. The color of the Android multitasking bar has been changed from grey to black. Gingerbread is scheduled for release later this year or early next year.