Android 2.2 Froyo is the froyo everyone wants to taste these days but what makes this tasty and what are the ingredients Google has put in to make it look like what it is. Today we will give it some time and look at different features of this mobile operating system. Since its launch back in 2008 the Android OS has evolved rapidly and we see it in mobile phones , netbooks, ovens and even cars have adopted this great platform!
Whats new?
The first change that you would see with Froyo is a modified navigation bar that now has shortcuts for both the phone and web browser. The Google search bar has also been slightly modified as well, letting you cater your search specifically to web, apps, or contacts.
Wifi Hotspot functionality
Google has gone a step ahead of its competitors by introducing a feature that was not expected at all. Its the Wifi Hotspot functionality that turns you phone into a portable wifi router. This will enable you to use your phone’s 3G internet connection to hook your laptop up to the worldwide webosphere by turning your phone into a portable wifi hotspot (isn’t that great!)
The speed enhancement
Ever thought that the Android OS should have been faster and more efficient than they were, then here’s a news for you. Google has made this mobile platform 450% faster then its ancestors. Google is saying that the JIT compiler will, in fact, allow apps to run 2-5 times faster.
External Storage for apps
The Android enables you to store and run apps on you memory cards. This functionality is not offered by Android’s competitors so it give an edge to it over them.
USB Tethering
Froyo has brought built in USB tethering on Android so you can share your data connection with your laptop.
Camera
Controls are now more streamlined within the viewing window and much easier to sift through then before.
Security
If you were not happy with the pattern unlock system of Android’s previous version then its for you! PIN codes are now accepted.
Market and apps
The Android market is getting some very interesting day by day. First up is the ability to have apps auto-update. This can be set up by simply selecting a checkbox on the apps market page. This will allow the app to stay up to date provided the permission don’t change.
Browser and Flash
This is the thing Android can be creditied because unlike one of its competitor it is becoming fully flash supported and runs internet quite smoothly. The Browser is getting some nice updates as well. Google showed off the speed of the new engine by running the SunSpider JavaScript benchmarking tool. According to Google the browser is now 2-3 times faster at interpreting JavaScript. This apparently makes it the fastest mobile browser for this particular measure. There are also new APIs that allow web apps in the browser to access phone hardware like the accelerometer, GPS chip, and camera.
