Top 8 features of Android 2.3

Friday, January 14, 2011

Top 8 features of Android 2.3

1. Tweaked UI

Android UI is getting a complete overhaul till Honeycomb, but Gingerbread will include some small tweaks. 

2. NFC
NFC is a short-range of Near Field Communications, high frequency wireless communication technology that only operates when two devices are about 4 inches apart. It is basically just another form of electronic identification except the ID is tied to a bank or credit card company. 

3. New Motion Control APIs
Android 2.3 will add new sensor fusion APIs including quaternion, rotation matrix, linear acceleration and gravity.

4. Native Video Chat
It looks like all the high-end phones coming in the next few months will include front-facing cameras so this is another sign that Android is ready for a native video sharing app to connect all these devices.

5. Google Music

Google is also working on a music streaming service for Android. Apparently the music labels are still negotiating with Google on how their "digital locker" will store purchased Google music, but maybe they come to an agreement this year.

6. Support for WebM and VP8
We know that support for WebM and the VP8 video format are coming to Gingerbread because Google and the WebM team have told us this.

7. Google Me or Social Gaming Network

Google recently denied the reports they were working on a Facebook competitor called Google Me, but all the signs are there that Google is working on a way to bring together all their social services. 

8. Flagship Phone - Nexus S
Finally, what good is a brand new operating system unless you have a flagship product that can show off all the new features. That device is the Samsung Nexus S which is widely expected to be released alongside Android 2.3.