14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Google launched officially the latest version of its mobile operating system, namely Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Unveiled along with a new mobile phone, the Nexus S by Samsung, the new OS version brings forth a wide range of enhancements when compared to the previous iterations.
Among the main improvements in Android 2.3 Gingerbread, we can count both a series of changes that would affect the experience of end-users, as well as other modifications, aimed mainly at developers.
At the user end, the platform shows a new UI, along with a new text input method, word selection, copy/paste, better power management, and more.
According to Google, the user interface in Android 2.3 was changed throughout the system, so that it can be used easier in a more power efficient manner.
“A simplified visual theme of colors against black brings vividness and contrast to the notification bar, menus, and other parts of the UI. Changes in menus and settings make it easier for the user to navigate and control the features of the system and device,” the company notes.
At the same time, users would enjoy a new soft keyboard, aimed at offering faster input and editing capabilities. Dictionary suggestions are displayed in a larger, more vivid style in Gingerbread.
“The keyboard adds the capability to correct entered words from suggestions in the dictionary. As the user selects a word already entered, the keyboard displays suggestions that the user can choose from, to replace the selection,” Google notes.
A new multitouch key-chording should offer users the possibility to easily enter numbers and symbols through pressing Shift+<letter> and ?123+<symbol>, without having to switch the input modes.
Another very appealing and useful feature added to Android 2.3 Gingerbread is one-touch word selection and copy/paste. Users can select a word by press-hold, and can also expand the selection to a larger area.
Starting with Gingerbread, the Android system would manage more actively applications that load the phone’s CPU while in the background, something that should result in better battery life and enhanced performance levels.
At the same time, users would be able to access more info on the amount of power that is being consumed by various applications and components. A shortcut to the Manage Applications control was placed in the Options Menu so that application activity management is at hand.
“An updated set of standard applications lets the user take new approaches to managing information and relationships,” Google notes, referring here to the included Internet calling, near-field communication (NFC) or Downloads application in Gingerbread.
Now, users can add an Internet calling number (a SIP address) to any contact, and initiate a call to it from Quick Contact or Dialer. The new Downloads application offers fast access to any file downloaded from the browser, email, or another software solution.
As for the NFC communication feature, it was included with the OS via an NFC Reader application through which one can read and interact with NFC tags.
“For example, the user can “touch” or “swipe” an NFC tag that might be embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement, then act on the data read from the tag,” Google notes.
“A typical use would be to read a tag at a restaurant, store, or event and then rate or register by jumping to a web site whose URL is included in the tag data. [...] support for the platform's NFC features on specific devices is determined by their manufacturers.”
Another novelty in Android 2.3 Gingerbread would be the enhancements brought to the camera application, which can now offer access to multiple cameras on the phone, including the front-facing one, when available.
As stated above, a wide range of other changes were brought to the OS, but they are aimed mainly at providing a better experience to software developers, such as new features and APIs that would enhance the solutions built for the platform.
