Android 2.2 aka Android Froyo
| Google recently announced their newest version of Android OS - Android 2.2. This OS is popularly called Android Froyo. The announcements were made during Google's I/O Keynote event in May 2010. As Vic Gundotra, Vice President of Engineering, Google, went through the list of features that the new OS had to offer, the whole crowd burst into claps and cheers. Here are some features that excited them:- |
Fast Froyo - Froyo is much faster than the previous versions of Android - Cupcake (1.5), Donut (1.6) and Eclair (2.0, 2.1). Moreover, it is faster than the iPhone OS running on iPad too. This was demoed during the keynote.
Flash Support - The compatibility with Adobe Flash was a welcome news. This wouldn't have been a great deal had the Apple iPad offered support for this video playing software. The lack of it in the iPad, has particularly caused people to rejoice, when they find it in other gadgets. |
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Tethering and mobile WiFi hotspot - A best mobile phone that runs Android 2.2, can be used as a portable WiFi hotspot (just like a MiFi device). When this feature is enabled, you will be able to use up to 8 devices to connect to the internet via WiFi. Plus, with the help of a USB cable, you can connect a laptop or netbook to a smartphone running Froyo, for accessing the internet. |
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Streaming Music - a Froyo mobile phone will let you stream music from music libraries, like the Android Market, including the iTunes.
"Update All" feature for Android Market - In case you wish to update your apps, all you need to do is use the Update All function. The rest will fall into place.
Microsoft Exchange Support - Froyo as well includes compatibility with MS Exchange. This aspect should be of particular interest to those who need to stay connected with their office during travels. Security features like remote wipe-out have been added too. |
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Selecting Web Text - When surfing through web pages, you can select text by tapping your finger at the start of the text and then dragging it till the end of the text you want copied. When you lift your finger, the selected text will be copied onto the clipboard.
Web browser - The web browser has also been empowered for more. The camera can be accessed from within the browser itself.
Cloud to Froyo Device Messaging - One of the demos were highly impressive where, directions from Google Maps were sent to a Froyo device from the cloud (internet on another device). A plug-in called Send to Phone was used. The audience were pretty excited when the Froyo phone, on receiving the message, actually opened Google Maps along with turn-by-turn navigation. |
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These were the main highlights of Google's newest OS version, the Android 2.2 Froyo. Other enhancements like finding app more easily, searching inside apps, moving apps to SD cards and more are as well available.
