Android is a kingdom divided. What do I mean? You thought Android was … well, Android? It is. Basically. And it’s not. Kind of. Let me explain …
Android has 3 main different versions. They are all Android; in the same sense that that all versions of Windows are all Windows. Actually, it’s not that extreme but you get my point – I hope. These are the versions of Android in phones that are currently for sale. These versions range from v1.5 on the Hero (yes, I’m frustrated) to v1.6 on the G1 to v2.0 on the Nexus One. To make things even more sticky, there are different manufacture interface mods on top of those (HTC Sense – Hero, Motoblur – Motorola, etc.). Now, there is a fairly substantiated rumor that all current handsets will soon be updated to v2.1.
The main difference between the versions (reportedly) is speed, stability and new functionality. Upgrades, like turn-by-turn navigation, will be available on most (if not all) devices that are upgraded to v2.1. Version 2.0 has most of the functionality that v2.1 will bring to phones running v1.5 or v1.6. Confused yet? Fahged aboud it! [Ok. My Italian accent needs work.]
1.5 (Cupcake)
Released: 30 April 2009
Features:
Ability to record and watch videos with the camcorder mode
Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone
A new soft keyboard with an “Autocomplete” feature
Bluetooth A2DP support (which in turn broke Bluetooth connectivity with many popular cars and headsets. This has still yet to be fixed as of Dec-09)
Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance
New widgets and folders that can populate the desktop
Animations between screens
Expanded ability of Copy and paste to include web pages
1.6 (Donut)
Released: 15 September 2009
Features:
An improved Android Market experience.
An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface.
Gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion.
Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native applications, including the ability to dial contacts.
Updated search experience to allow searching bookmarks, history, contacts, and the web from the home screen.
Updated Technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x VPN, Gestures, and a Text-to-speech engine
Speed improvements for searching, the camera.
You actually don’t need to devote much brain power to this situation; as of right now, even v1.5 will run at least 85% of the apps in the Android Market. The percentage is probably even higher than that. I have yet to run into an app that I couldn’t run on my Hero – other than those that specifically say v2.0 is needed. That list is growing, but there is no danger of running out of compatible apps anytime soon.
As I mentioned earlier, there has been a pretty pervasive rumor that all handsets will be getting a [hopefully] OTA (over the air) update in the near future. Now so far, none of this has been officially confirmed by anyone. It’s the rumor that won’t go away. It’s been “unofficially” confirmed by many industry information sources, so it is probably real in some form or another. I just hope we see it this quarter.
Synopsis: Don’t freak out over it. You’re not going to be “behind”. Once v2.1 drops everyone will be on an even keel again and all the developers will be ecstatic. Of course, there will still be the manufacturers/carrier mods.
Ciao!
About Me…
I’m Adonis a complete and total card carrying techno-geek and proud of it. LOL! I’m also a father of a beautiful young lady who is turning into a techophile in her own right. I have been into technology ever since I had my first computer, a TRS-80. It was love at first sight!
I am into everything from computers, game consoles, handheld devices and everything in between. My current passion is wireless tech and cellphones.
So basically, my blog is about technology I find interesting, how it affects my life, and my life in general. Sound interesting? I hope so. Ciao!
My Tech Life
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