Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/28/android_eclair_developer_launch/
Android 2.0 delivered to developers
Coming to consumers next month?
Posted in Phones, 28th October 2009 11:49 GMT
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The creation of apps based on version 2.0 of the Android OS should be underway within days, because Google has finally released Éclair to developers.
Éclair supersedes Donut – aka version 1.6 – and, to illustrate version 2.0’s new features, Google has published a demo video which takes both developers and future users of the mobile OS through many of its new features.
Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com [1]
Android 2.0 has at least seven core area updates, including: email, contacts and accounts, messaging, camera, Android’s virtual keyboard and the browser.
For example, Android 2.0 adds in Exchange email support and allows for a combined inbox so that you can browse emails from multiple accounts within one page.
Google has also added a digital zoom feature to Android 2.0 and included a “scene mode” – which we assume refers to compact camera-style pre-programmed shooting modes, such as portrait and party shot.
Android 2.0 supports different screen sizes
Android 2.0 now supports double-tap zooming within the browser – a major advantage, in our opinion - while the calendar even allows for “infinite scrolling” while in agenda view.
The Android 2.0 platform will be “deployable to... handsets starting in November 2009”, Google said. ®