Android 2.0 "Donut" features demoed at Google I/O

We're still trying to get used to the overwhelming joy of having Cupcake installed on our G1s, but it's full steam ahead over at Google where engineers are already slaving away on the Donut branch that'll eventually come to be known as Android 2.0. Demoed today at the first I/O keynote were Donut's universal search (known simply as "Android Search"), which will let you search both online and locally on the phone through contacts, calendars, music, and any app with the proper code, and a text-to-speech API, which should allow developers to integrate Google Voice Search-style awesomeness into the apps of their choice. We also got a brief glimpse of handwriting gestures used for searching through list -- the live example was drawing the letter 'e' and going to that specific point in a list of songs. Nothing wildly different interface-wise -- yet -- but we know from the initial 1.0 release that the UI's very much subject to change, not to mention the fact that HTC and others look poised to do some serious customization of their own. Check out the gallery for shots live from the I/O keynote!

Gallery: Android 2.0 "Donut" features demoed at Google I/O

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[scape @ May 27th 2009 2:43PM]

alright! and now we just need some phones...

[Alan Strangis @ May 27th 2009 3:37PM]

And hopefully better power management (or bigger batteries). Android's a battery pig (more so than any HTC phone, or the iPhone).

PS: this is my biggest worry with the Pre as well.

[B3astofthe3ast @ May 27th 2009 7:00PM]

@Alan

cupcake has improved the power management, and my G1s battery is lasting longer than ever! Until I overclock it that is....

[Todd @ May 27th 2009 2:44PM]

Mmmmmmmmmm donut.

[Hashbrown Hunter @ May 27th 2009 4:23PM]

Homer Simpson is a wise man and a surprisingly good rendition of the average American.

Goddamn, do we love donuts!

[wrabbit @ May 27th 2009 7:03PM]

The next version should be called "Timbit", eh ;)

[Matt @ May 28th 2009 8:43AM]

Hmmmmm what's next? Cookie? Cake? Pizza? Hotdog? Taco?

[Mark @ May 27th 2009 2:47PM]

Wow. Big day so far, what with the Zune HD and Donut...

[Cody @ May 27th 2009 3:21PM]

Zune HD was announced yesterday afternoon......

[Mark @ May 27th 2009 3:23PM]

Right, and it's now about noon(where I am at least) making it still within the 24 hour period :)

[Hashbrown Hunter @ May 27th 2009 4:24PM]

Nice save there, Mark.

[BlurMagic @ May 27th 2009 2:47PM]

Google is definitely headed in the right direction right now. I received the Cupcake update yesterday and it's absolutley amazing. Donut just seems like good new additions. The only thing IM REALLY WAITING FOR NOW IS FLASH! LETS GO ADOBEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[Chasethebase @ May 31st 2009 11:10AM]

If Android got Flash and iPhone OS didn't...Well I would wait for the fanboy rage onslaught and laugh in their faces, regardless of the fact I own an iPod Touch :D

[Deishawn @ May 27th 2009 2:49PM]

damnit, now my cupcake doesn't taste as good as when I got it.

[Guru @ May 27th 2009 2:52PM]

Looks so primitive compared to iphone os.

[Mark @ May 27th 2009 2:53PM]

That's because you're an idiot. Especially since the iphone OS can't do any of these new features.

[darkness_within @ May 27th 2009 3:12PM]

Your face looks so primitive compared to os.

[fistpittingnork @ May 27th 2009 3:15PM]

Your mom goes to college

[McPOW @ May 27th 2009 3:22PM]

Congratulations, Guru, you win the Douche Bag award for this thread! Enjoy that fresh feeling!

[cybergrex @ May 27th 2009 3:28PM]

I don't see any features there except drawing an e on the screen that the iPhone can't do (based on the gallery). I'm not saying the iPhone is better than the G1 I'm just saying at least get the facts straight when saying the iPhone can't do any of the new features.

[Ryan @ May 27th 2009 3:36PM]

Ironic username o.O

[TareX @ May 27th 2009 3:44PM]

It looks primitive compared to the Palm Pre's Universal search.

I also see there's a "search" button you need to press after typing. On the Pre, you just type, and as you do, the results are displayed and categorized. Then it shows you Google-Wikipedia-Maps-Youtube-Amazong search options... also missing here.

[B3astofthe3ast @ May 27th 2009 3:49PM]

@TareX

It also lists results without hitting the search button, its there to open the browser. It works exactly the google homepage.

[Félix @ May 27th 2009 4:29PM]

Cybersex I see one : MULTITASKING.
yeah I know it's the same argument over and over, and it's been for 2years almost.... blablabla..

WELL THAT'S BECAUSE IT'S SO FUCKING BASIC NOONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THE F**K THEY CONSIDER IT OPTIONAL.

[boutch55555 @ May 27th 2009 2:54PM]

Is the source released yet ? Can't wait until dzo ports it to the vogue :-)

[ljm @ May 27th 2009 3:35PM]

You and me both! I'm loving the 1.1 port right now.

[216 @ May 27th 2009 2:54PM]

I like how Android almost has more OS updates than phones available

[boutch55555 @ May 27th 2009 2:57PM]

yeah... and FREE updates

[Guru @ May 27th 2009 2:55PM]

Google rules!!
On my iPhone .

[jay jay @ May 27th 2009 2:55PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-4P1WPE-Qg

can't wait till it comes out.

[Richard Lai @ May 27th 2009 2:58PM]

Let's see...

Cupcake
Donut
Éclair
Fruitcake
Génoise
Hoecake
Imagawayaki
Jaffa Cake
Kugelhupf
Lattice
...

Keep it going guys!

[joeybeast @ May 27th 2009 3:01PM]

I'll wait for Fortune Cookie.

[y3k.nik @ May 27th 2009 3:09PM]

I really dont think Google engineers are fed enough sugar!

Either that or they are all sugar addicts.. I wonder which

[danimaldan @ May 27th 2009 3:17PM]

lol its not the engineers code-naming these things. Its the general public and it just catches on.

[Richard Lai @ May 27th 2009 3:22PM]

@y3k.nik: Of course they need the sugar! Have you not seen the inside of Google HQ? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7292600.stm

[Wewtaco @ May 27th 2009 3:25PM]

2.0 = Donut
3.0 = Caboose
4.0 = Grif
5.0 = Sarge

[dagamer43 @ May 27th 2009 3:43PM]

Does this mean that 1.0 was Brownie?

[superhobo @ May 27th 2009 4:01PM]

Jelly donut ftw!

[ilh @ May 27th 2009 5:09PM]

Canonical like animals while google like savouries. Why can't more companies like things other than what they make and money?

[CJ @ May 27th 2009 7:18PM]

I get the feeling that Google are naming their Android versions after funny shaped cakes JUST to see how many visual puns people can make with the Android mascot.

[Larry13 @ May 28th 2009 2:22AM]

@Richard
I want to work there so bad! The only problem is I would get fired for not working and goofing off instead. LOL

[Guru @ May 27th 2009 2:59PM]

I returned my g1 in 29 days n got iPhone 3g.
Is htc g1 superior than iPhone 40000 apps
Cuz I didn't see it,.?

[Mark @ May 27th 2009 3:00PM]

Yes.

[vman81 @ May 27th 2009 3:08PM]

Yes.

Yes it is

My list of reasons starts with the SDHC slot, and I can pretty much stop right there.

I'd feel ripped off if I has holding an 4/8gb iphone right about now.

I want to carry ONE device around, and that device should also work as my mobile storage :D

[BlurMagic @ May 27th 2009 3:12PM]

40,000 apps of the same damn repetitive bullshit. Count apps like fart apps and soundboards and that number decreases dramatically. You were and idiot for trading in your G1 before the Market even went official in January. And you got an iPhone 3G. Which is getting absolutely shat on right now by the G1. Should've waited til July to get the new iPhone.

[ronald.raygun @ May 27th 2009 7:59PM]

i traded mine in because of the battery life(had 3g, wifi, bluetooth, and gps off 95% of the time), got me an iphone traded that because of the terrible reception.

but since people are saying the battery life is better on the g1 because of updates, i might be going back soon, especially considering that mame and other emulation.

[Guru @ May 27th 2009 3:03PM]

So will a feature rich htc frame be the one to kill the iPhone?

[newjaruz @ May 27th 2009 3:04PM]

I cant wait to sink my teeth into donut. I wonder how long before Haykuro or JF have this build available... assuming this comes out by the last qtr ... id say we are a few months away if you are a root user

[danimaldan @ May 27th 2009 3:11PM]

Well i dont have a data plan, cant afford the darn plan. I tried rooting my phone, first I had to go back to RC29 and when i did that i locked up my phone because it wanted me to sync my phone with google again. I know i have done it before right, yes but still without data plan, for some reason it worked the first time and didnt the second time. I fixed it by borrowing a friends sim card who has a data plan. I want to root my phone pretty badly but dont wanna get a data plan just to resync it. Is there anyway i can accomplish this without having to do that?

[B3astofthe3ast @ May 27th 2009 3:28PM]

There's a way to turn on WiFi before syncing with Google but I'm not familiar with it...