Google secretly crafts Android codename "cupcake," fixes and features aplenty

Okay, so right here: this is where Android starts to get awesome. The platform is being hacked and developed at a blistering pace that closed operating systems can only dream of, and to top it all off, Google's now gifted the world with a bunch of changes it had been developing in secrecy in a private branch called "cupcake." Why "cupcake," you ask? We're not sure, but given the list of fixes and additions we're seeing here, we can only assume it has something to do with how tasty it's going to be once it gets rolled into a shipping firmware. For starters, it rolls in circa-November WebKit code and significantly boosts browsing performance, fixes a novel's worth of issues with the email app, and -- wait for it -- adds support for stereo Bluetooth. Of course, we're at the mercy of T-Mobile and HTC for getting this onto retail G1s, so it really makes a strong case for picking up a Dev Phone 1, doesn't it?

[Via Android Community, thanks Ben F.]

[FLaSHBaCK @ Dec 18th 2008 4:37PM]

Man, all i saw was cupcake and now i'm hungry....

[Peter @ Dec 18th 2008 4:42PM]

I just finished eating a cupcake, it was blueberry flavour.

[Evangelion @ Dec 18th 2008 5:18PM]

The cupcake is a lie!

[Mobius_1 @ Dec 18th 2008 5:46PM]

I instinctly clicked this article because of that word. Engadget, you disappoint me, almost as much as GLaDOS.

[Johan S @ Dec 18th 2008 4:40PM]

When they say video recording what do they mean .. besides the basic? Will they make it possible to record a video call? This is for when someone sends a video call and midway I (or they) wanna record what stuff is going on.

Also if some cool stuff is happening live, I’d want to call someone easily and show them what’s going on while continuing to video and record it (minimal or no interruption of video).

[TareX @ Dec 19th 2008 12:55AM]

The post doesn't mention video recording, which is a let down.

However it does mention "significantly boosts browsing performance" which is SWEEEET. Really I hope that means smoother scrolling and zooming.

[ScOObyDoo @ Dec 18th 2008 4:41PM]

All I want for Christmas is....

# New features * Support for A2DP & AVRCP profiles.

[Stevie Wonder @ Dec 18th 2008 4:42PM]

I hope T-Mobile will offer this in the next firmware update for those of us who have already purchased the G1.

[Anthony @ Dec 18th 2008 5:02PM]

W/ all the hubbub about this phone I suggested it to someone very close to me. She was totally underwhelmed by it's buggyness & went to another w/in just 2 weeks.

Email was abysmal. All she got were "network errors" except when initially setting it up, where it ran just fine & downloaded all messages. Then promptly died.

I'll take another look when it *really, really* seems to be working for regular people.

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 18th 2008 5:41PM]

I've been using my G1 since launch day and I have never encountered a significant bug. Admittedly, I have never attempted to use the non-Gmail email app, and there are like 20 bug fixes for it in this update so it was probably pretty bad, but everything else in the system is rock solid.

[Charlie J @ Dec 19th 2008 12:50PM]

I preordered a G1 and have had no issues with it. Its the best phone i have had thus far. Its not buggy at all. It also doesnt suffer from the slowdown i would experience on my T-mobile wing that ran Windows Mobile.

It started out lacking a few things but most have been fixed via the marketplace and updates. The only real thing we still need a solid fix for is exchange support. There are options out already, but i wouldnt call them a complete solution.

Honestly i have been completely impressed by it. Great product and unlimited possibilities. I am amazed at how well everything works for how young the software is. Did you ever use a introductory Windows mobile phone or a Palm phone? Those were buggy things.

[FallenCow @ Dec 18th 2008 4:43PM]

where are all the android phones!?

[Jason @ Dec 18th 2008 5:39PM]

I heard Australia had one that wasn't a G1.

One.

[cwj @ Dec 22nd 2008 1:24AM]

pistachio

[rj @ Dec 18th 2008 4:48PM]

The Android logo mascot guy looks kind of like a cupcake.

[Derry Quinn @ Dec 18th 2008 5:27PM]

MIND = BLOWN

Good work sir, good work.

[Jonathan-DBOSS @ Dec 18th 2008 8:23PM]

hmm... kiwii flavored?

[skyblaze @ Dec 18th 2008 9:11PM]

i kno right, its frickin adorable. (no homo.)

[Okay @ Dec 18th 2008 4:50PM]

Seeing that Android is finally getting A2DP support, I'm going to buy a Dev Phone 1 now. Was waiting and looking at some winmo and nokia phones due to the lack of good music listening options on the G1, but this cinches the deal for me.

[iPhoney @ Dec 18th 2008 4:51PM]

and to think, the CEO of Google sits on Apple's board of directors

[Montusama @ Dec 18th 2008 4:52PM]

Getting an unlocked TMO G1, might flash it to the dev one (if possible) plus aren't these just "updates" and updates for the G1 are done by Google and not TMO?

[Dee @ Dec 18th 2008 4:54PM]

That's it, I'm getting a Dev Phone 1. Now that's an expensive cupcake!

[AJ in the East Bay @ Dec 18th 2008 4:58PM]

Mmmm! I like cupcakes...

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 18th 2008 4:59PM]

YES!!!!

DEAR GOD YES!!!

I was literally moments away from placing an order for a wired headphone adapter. Reluctantly, I might add, because I can't stand wired headphones. This is the greatest news ever. My G1 just grew up!

[Adonis @ Dec 18th 2008 5:00PM]

I love how these so called smartphones get major applause for features that real smartphone have been shipping with for a long time.

[fmobus @ Dec 18th 2008 5:33PM]

Amen. My low-end Nokia has had A2DP profile support for two years. Why is it so hard for iPhone and G1, which are supposed to be high-end models?

[Anon @ Dec 18th 2008 5:31PM]

In this case, the applause isn't for the feature per se, but for the platform, and the fact that features are developed far quicker for Android than for a closed OS.

[Jason @ Dec 18th 2008 5:46PM]

Exactly. The reason we're excited is that once Android gets past the entry stage on all the basics, we'll have a phone that we can add an endless stream of free apps to without some silly CEO controlling the flow.

I mean Apple won't even let you control a fleet of unmanned aircraft with your phone. What the hell is that about?? ( http://images.apple.com/legal/sla/docs/iphone.pdf , page 2, first para. )

[oZ @ Dec 18th 2008 8:47PM]

Yeah, my high end Nokia didn't have A2DP, and never got a software update for A2DP. Good job, Google.

[Shugg @ Dec 18th 2008 5:02PM]

these guys are all talk,.laggy software . They got no app store ,.open platform so far blows ,.action baby,.I heard android gonna be on this 1 phone koalakand in aug of 2009,.boring n pathetic,.,.get with the times,.I know u get paid by the hour,but dang,,.,.,

[dale1v @ Dec 18th 2008 6:55PM]

Funny thing is, when you consistently have the lowest ranked posts, it usually means you talk shit. Move on, troll before I cast a spell on thee!

[jeprox @ Dec 19th 2008 10:08AM]

No app store? Ignorant commenters are the bane of tech fora... Get a life!

[jeprox @ Dec 19th 2008 10:24AM]

And dare I add, Apple iSheep (aka fanboys) who ignorantly trash/bash everything that does not have their "holy apple icon" (which instantly and mysteriously get your creative juices flowing according to one "academic study") are the scum of the web!

PS.
The G1 app store got Shazam before your beloved iPhony started touting it as their own on TV commercials. Seriously, Microsoft (Zune esp.), G1 (be it T-Mobile, HTC or Google themselves), and PC manufacturers need to start building up a war chest to:

1.)pirate Apple's entire marketing department (you all forgave them for the antivirus advice incident, right?);
2.)hire Apple's ad company; and finally,
3.)pirate Jonathan Ive, Apple's genius designer.

PPS.
Sorry for the parenthetical overuse... I just can't help inserting snide remarks... >:)

[broli @ Dec 18th 2008 5:06PM]

You guys also forgot to mention another big thing...

"Input method framework, for soft keyboards and other on-screen input methods. Includes new APIs for applications to interact with input methods, and the ability for third party developers to write their own input methods."

Atleast now it has native support for them.

[junk @ Dec 18th 2008 5:06PM]

I can buy GSM unlocked Samsung, Nokia, and HTC phones at places like newegg. When are other vendors going to show up with unlocked Android GSM phones I can buy over the counter??? I like my phones unlocked and contract free.....

[Anthony @ Dec 18th 2008 5:13PM]

...just like my women... [bam] or [rim shot]

[chefgon_ign @ Dec 18th 2008 5:47PM]

There is only one Android phone currently released, and you can buy it GSM unlocked from google for $400. Is your problem just that you can't buy one on newegg?

[Jason @ Dec 18th 2008 6:20PM]

Chef, I think he stated his problem: When are OTHER vendors going to release an Android phone? i.e. competition so that the $400 unlocked phone is more like 200.

[Stryph @ Dec 18th 2008 5:07PM]

HURRYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.that is all..

[Orappa @ Dec 18th 2008 5:13PM]

No it dossent, all that, and it only made me hungry for a cupcake not a g1 for sure, still to many problems such as design and bugs..

[Poke4Christ @ Dec 18th 2008 5:18PM]

There's only one phrase to descrive this.

"Oh, Snap!"

Please get an awesome Android phone by Febuary Sprint! (my upgrade date)

[bangladeshiluv @ Dec 18th 2008 6:14PM]

Android + Sero plan = win. *dreams*

[Scott @ Dec 18th 2008 5:37PM]

My G1 has no bugs. I think I got the one God was supposed to get.

[trevor @ Dec 18th 2008 9:13PM]

we both did...

[makoto42 @ Dec 18th 2008 5:54PM]

"Work to transition to the USB Gadget Framework underway."

This would allow another sort of tethering. g_ether. The phone could present a USB Ethernet NIC.

Wireless master mode is probably slicker/more flexible, but there is a charm about g_ether to me...

[neotokyo7 @ Dec 18th 2008 5:57PM]

I dont get how engadget doesn't get why its called "cupcake."

Its supposed to be sweet and not so bloating to the stomach. And if you want more, all you have say is "Yes, please".

That concept works for a lot of things.

[David Prince @ Dec 18th 2008 6:02PM]

Does cupcake include the ability for users to store/launch applications from their SD card? To me this is THE drawback of the G1. It's ridiculous that I need to keep uninstalling apps just to try a new one bcz I run out of space on the phone's internal memory storage!

[zbot @ Dec 18th 2008 6:10PM]

OMFG....are you serious???? I had no idea of this limitation. Oh the horror!

[Jason @ Dec 18th 2008 6:41PM]

No, don't buy that. This is Linux, dude. I'm sure it's just a matter of getting root access and changing the very lazy security settings of the G1. It CAN be done, it's just a matter of making sure your phone is still secure after the fact.

This is why we need a vendor with a little more open source savvy than T-Mobile.

[Brendon @ Dec 18th 2008 11:58PM]

And what vendor has this 'open source savvy' that you are referring to? I guess you are talking about Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T, because they have tons of open source phones in their line up, right?