Android 3.1 and Ice Cream Sandwich Features Revealed

Posted on May 11 2011 - 9:41pm by Thomas Sharp

The latest version of the Android operating system to be released is called 3. 1, and while the people at Google have caused a bit of confusion by talking about the Android Ice Cream Sandwich release at the same time is seems that this second update will come after that of 3.1 and will most likely be numbered something like 3.5.

So what does the 3.1 version bring to the party? Let’s have a look.

  1. Widgets that can be resized and expanded both horizontally and vertically.
  2. The ability to be a USB host and connect the likes of a mouse, game controller or keyboard.
  3. An Open Accessory API that allows the device to interact with things like exercise machines and pieces of musical equipment.
  4. The upcoming Google TV update will work on this version when it is released.

The Ice Cream Sandwich update will include these features plus facial detection facilities on the device’s camera. This means that, for example, if there are various people taking part in a video chat session the camera will concentrate on the one who is doing the talking. It will also bring in better multitasking and the use of a holographic interface.

The initial update should already be with Motorola Xoom owners who use the Verizon 3G network, with other users getting their hands on their hands on it shortly afterwards.

Do any of these changes excite you and make you want to get started on the newest versions of Android?

 

Leave A Response