Thread: Android 2.0 SDK

Just in case anyone missed it and are interested, the SDK for Android 2.0 was released today. You can download it here:

Download

Note: For people who have never tried Android and want to see what all the hoopla is about, the SDK provides an emulator so you can test it out/play with it on your computer.




Here are some highlights of the improvements made to the platform:

New User Features


Quick Contact for Android



Multiple Accounts



Messaging Search



Email Combined Inbox



Camera Modes




Contacts and accounts

• Multiple accounts can be added to a device for email and contact synchronization, including Exchange accounts. (Handset manufacturers can choose whether to include Exchange support in their devices.)
• Developers can create sync adapters that provide synchronization with additional data sources.
• Quick Contact for Android provides instant access to a contact's information and communication modes. For example, a user can tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person. Other applications such as Email, Messaging, and Calendar can also reveal the Quick Contact widget when you touch a contact photo or status icon.

Email

• Exchange support.
• Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page.

Messaging

• Search functionality for all saved SMS and MMS messages.
• Auto delete the oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached.

Camera

• Built-in flash support
• Digital zoom
• Scene mode
• White balance
• Color effect
• Macro focus

Android virtual keyboard

• An improved keyboard layout to makes it easier to hit the correct characters and improve typing speed.
• The framework's multi-touch support ensures that key presses aren't missed while typing rapidly with two fingers.
• A smarter dictionary learns from word usage and automatically includes contact names as suggestions.

Browser

• Refreshed UI with actionable browser URL bar enables users to directly tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation.
• Bookmarks with web page thumbnails.
• Support for double-tap zoom.
• Support for HTML5:
  
  • Database API support, for client-side databases using SQL.
  • Application cache support, for offline applications.
  • Geolocation API support, to provide location information about the device.
  • <video> tag support in fullscreen mode.

Calendar

• Agenda view provides infinite scrolling.
• Events indicate the attending status for each invitee.
• Invite new guests to events.

New Platform Technologies

Media Framework

Revamped graphics architecture for improved performance that enables better hardware acceleration.
Bluetooth

• Bluetooth 2.1
• New BT profiles: Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

Here is the official release video which provides a quick demonstration of a couple of the new features:

YouTube - Android 2.0 Official Video

And some random screenshots provided by AndroidAndMe.com via Flickr:

Android 2.0 SDK - a set on Flickr



FYI: The first Android 2.0 handset (Motorola Droid) will (should) be officially announced tomorrow and is rumored to be available for purchase on November 6th.

thanks man, I've been slacking on my developer account. I think i'll be working on an app for my torrent flux server, something a little more mobile user friendly than the web interface.

i heard the droid was to be released on oct 31 >.>
dont matter, im getting it. finally an iphone for verizon.
i would have got an iphone 3gs, but i hate att

Originally Posted by piemaster

i heard the droid was to be released on oct 31 >.>
dont matter, im getting it. finally an iphone for verizon.
i would have got an iphone 3gs, but i hate att

It was announced yesterday, but won't be available for purchase until November 6th. You can do a pre-order at Best Buy with a $50 deposit, though.

Anyone have an idea of a UK/EU release date?

Exciting, the droid's new 2.0 firmware looks absolutely excellent, can't wait to get my hands on one!