Android Gingerbread release rumors

Gingerbread on Android

Phandroid have written an exclusive on the forthcoming version of Android, Gingerbread. It’s a bit of an essay if I’m brutally honest so I thought I would summarize it here.

The major points are the rumored Video Calling, and VoiP support. The other obvious thing to note, and something we have noted before, is that the user interface is alleged to receive an overhaul. This is a contentious issue since Android is a commodity as far as OEMs are concerned and right now the UI is pretty much the only way HTC and Samsung can differentiate themselves from one another. With that said, if the UI was so good HTC and Samsung (etc.) couldn’t do any better than it would mean they would have to spend even more R&D into better differentiating build quality and this can only be a good thing for the consumer. Anyway, to avoid writing my own essay on the subject let’s move on.

The interface differences seem to be fairly limited at the moment, and will be most noticeable on the notification bar. Apparently Google are spending time hoping to achieve what Windows have done with WP7, making applications feel like an extension to the OS as opposed to standalone pieces of software that do not fit together. YouTube is supposed to be an example of this when it launches. New SIP functionality to Google Talk will allow you to receive calls via VoiP or normal cellular towers directly to your Google Talk account. Nothing groundbreaking, but Skype, watchout.

For a full account check out the source.

Google trying to fix Android fragmentation. Are more Nexus devices the answer?

221

by Robert Triggs, 5 days ago

Fragmentation can be a pain, especially when you’re waiting on your carrier to update its bloat-ware when all you want it to get your hands on the latest Android features and bug fixes. However, it…

Comments

http://www.facebook.com/j.hamernickramseier John Hamernick-Ramseier

I thought Verizon bought Alltel?
- Cole Raney
  
  Alltel still exists in places where Verizon is the only other carrier. Like my hometown. It would be a monopoly.
Jmonda

Alltel recently sold the rest of their company to AT&T though the takeover is not supposed to be official until the end of the year. I am an alltel use and had been asking for this update for a longtime hoping ICS was coming but was surprised to receive the jellybean update. It was a pretty easy update.
Emma

Samsung is just doing everything right these days. Aren’t they?
matt

Where can i find the instructions for the update for my alltel gs2?
- Hojo09
  
  www(dot)alltelwireless(dot)com/SII-Jelly-Bean
  
  replace (dot) with .