Hero owners, look away now. Google's
Froyo appears to be almost ready to exit the freezer and enter handsets on an official basis. Since April 7,
Android and Me have noticed visits from devices identifying themselves as having
Android version 2.2 on board, while German site
MobiFlip.de has come across pictures of a T-Mobile myTouch 3G (aka
HTC Magic) that is supposedly running the latest software. The images are certainly easy to spoof (including a wonky looking .2), but their timing and our eternal optimism invite some attention. They indicate a new option for automatically pulling down app updates from the ether, which would be kinda neat, while
Android and Me have also compiled a list of other rumored new features for Android 2.2 and confirmed with "sources familiar with the matter" that the new OS is indeed being tested right now. Their tip is to gaze expectantly toward the Google I/O conference starting on May 19 when we're sure to learn at least a little bit more. Considering Android 2.0 got a full
features demo at that meetup last year, chances are good that Froyo will be on show in just under a month's time.
posted April 22nd 2010 6:47AM
Anyone with knowledge of ease of transition from 2.1 to 2.2 and/or OEMs typical reaction to thinking they had the latest and greatest version number updating before launching the device? What are the chances of devices such as the EVO, the Galaxy S and anything else updating to 2.2 before launch? (I figure EVO is more likely, but a general estimate will suffice if anyone is a quasi-expert).
@juanvaldez
The more important question is, what will the change from 2.1 to 2.2 do for the functionality of the device? I'm not quite overly-familiar with Android, so how is the update process handled? Do updates such as this really do much for the system, or are they really just trivial?
I mean, a .1 update doesn't seem like much, you know?
@r34p3r @r34p3r IIRC 2.1 is the one that added multitouch functionality (could've been 2.01, but I think its 2.1). So, it can be some fairly in demand functionality, even if not ground-breaking.
Also, I think this is 1 of the 2 releases that is aimed at battling these talks of "fragmentation" where it will put some of the OS functionality into apps rather than into the OS itself. (meaning, when Google improves functionality, you can pull the update yourself, rather than waiting for both your OEM and carrier to support and release the update). So, even if the OS doesn't function better at all, or have any improvements, it'll make your device more current in the future, though I believe there are other things in the mix for 2.2 And, of course, I can be wrong about a lot of what I just wrote.
@juanvaldez
Well, it sounds convincing-enough for me, so thanks for the clarification.
I'm about to make the switch from WinMo to Android when the Sprint EVO comes out. I'm currently utilizing the Touch Pro 2, and I love it. How does Android handle SD card support? Can you install apps on it, or is it mainly used for data caching? I'm just curious if it's possible to run out of internal storage, and slow your device down in the process?
With WinMo, I just buy a giant SD card, and I don't install anything to the actual device itself (unless it's an app I really need to maintain a consistent presence no matter what storage card I insert).
I appreciate any feedback / answers in advance.
@r34p3r 1.5 and 1.6 seemed to add a bit to the functionality of the phone, in addition to making some previously included functionality better:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)#Update_history
Unfortunately, 2.0, 2.01 & 2.1 aren't broken out in wiki
@r34p3r I'm also planning on making the switch. AFAIK, all apps are intended to be installed on the device. Some of the apps are able to pull information off of an SD card, but the app itself resides on the internal memory, which is a really one of the biggest drawbacks of the platform. I think I've read from people smarter than me that this is something that can be addressed through a software update, though it might hinder the experience, but still I think it should/will come eventually if it's feasible.
@juanvaldez
Hrm, it makes me wonder why they even bother with SD support in the first place?
Though to be fair, from what I can tell WP7 won't have SD card support either, so it looks like expandable memory is taking a back seat to everything else. I'm certainly going to miss my WinMo 6.1 device, that' s for sure! At least Android has multitasking with a viable task manager, correct?
@r34p3r Just use Apps2SD then. Takes a while to settle (along with the ROM that goes with it) but works great!
@Mikeo
A while to settle? What do you mean?
@r34p3r The best Android devices don't need a task manager, but yes, they are available. I'd recommend trying to cope without using one and then finding the best if you need it, even power-users seem to think Google is extremely good at managing the resources and task managers are just available but actually cramp the experience.
I'd say the SD card is for media: movies, mp3, etc.
@juanvaldez
Didn't most manufacturers barely manage to get their lines updated to 2.1? And now again 2.2?
@r34p3r
Google claims that app SD storage is coming in a future version so yes, they are working on that.
As for task managers, I guess it depends on the device you get and what firmware version it's running. My hero before I rooted to 2.1 needed the Taskiller app for everything (1.5) but once I rooted it to 2.1 I don't need it nearly as much. If you read Engadget's review of the Incredible, they claim they didn't need a task manager at all for it and it ran smoothly the whole time. So I would assume if you're going to get an EVO (which should be better), you won't really have much use for a task manager. Android automatically kills the apps it doesn't need when your usage starts getting heavy.
@juanvaldez
lmao mytouch is slow as $hit, why do ppl even buy that thing??
@r34p3r I'd be wary of any device that has a non-standard UI atop vanilla Android, because the OEM has to update the UI for compatibility with future Android versions, thus delaying updates
@r34p3r: I have got a Nexus One and currently run without a task manager (it ends up being a waste of battery). I only notice slowdowns (choppy transitions) when I open multiple apps simultaneously. With the newer handsets, you might run out of memory at around 60 apps. Most apps save data to the SD card with the app itself being
@Mikeo
ONLY IF YOUR ROOTED. At least with the G1. Is this standard OE on new android versions ?
It's a shame that early adopters, who kicked this OS off are getting screwed. Stuck with 1.6 unless you flash. Apps to SD should have been part of the early versions (without having to root). Way to take care of the people who got you started.
Yes, maybe the xperia x10 will finally be updated here in Canada. It's a he'll of a week.
PS-ed.
the "2" is skewed.
@yauchildchew
I agree... Although I still can't look at my Hero without feeling a bit annoyed.. I wan't 2.1 dammit!
@Zaeed
You want it, go get it. XDA devs have had fully functional Sprint Hero 2.1 roms for one or two months now. My Hero wants for nothing.
@Zaeed Why not root the Hero and flash one of the 2.1 ROMs? There are two or three available that are rock solid. In addition to being able run 2.1, when you root the Hero, you'll also install an excellent Recovery boot utility that enables very easy full OS image backup/restore (inc installed apps) to the SD card, which can be a lifesaver. If you want, you can always revert back to running the unrooted stock OS but it's hard to image that you will.
@yauchildchew I agree that the 2 looks faked. Considering there is a 2 right next to it you think it would be easy to make a better looking/more believable fake than this. I'm no PS expert but I'm pretty sure I could have done a better job than that.
@Zaeed
I literally just rooted my Eris to 2.1 2 days ago - and now I read this. I screamed
I would root it man, waiting for the carriers to push an OTA is not a good time
Great. 6-8 months of "Will my HTC Fantastical get Android 2.2tb.d?"
Ya. This is why I hate my hero. I am going to hold out for the Sprint N1 and not get the hero for this very reason.
ZOMGz?
@n0ne is half of your goal to be a cartoonish character? A high percentage of your posts are just some cliche acronym or onomatopoeia. - I'd ask even without the k. pilkington cartoon avi
Dear Google,
Here's my wishlist for Android 2.2 or whatever version # Froyo is.
1. For the love of god, an UPDATE ALL options for new apps in the Android Market. PLEASE! When I power up the phone in the morning and I have 17 updates, I'd love to just hit one button, one time. I hate to pull this card, but the iPhone has it, and I can't imagine it's that difficult.
2. Multi-touch on the keyboard. I know Apple has the patent, but they have it on pinch zoom as well. I don't care for Better Keyboard (which I bought but didn't refund in time so now I just have it, lol), I'd like to see the official keyboard have multi-touch.
3. More home screens. I have 5 on my Nexus One; and blame it on devs as well as yourselves Goog, the widgets are just so very well suited to my needs that I use a TON of them. I'd love more space, provided it doesn't slow down the device too much.
4. Include the himem lines into the official kernel. I'm rooted on my N1 running Cyanogen, so I have access to all of the device memory. While it's rock solid, there's no reason anyone should have device memory they cannot use. Amend the kernel, and put those numbers on the board.
5. Sync SMS to GMail, with labels, without the use of a 3rd party app. Some other apps do this but I'd love to have all my SMS/MMS backed up to GMail automatically. If I have to do a hard reset (or I flash a ROM, tee hee), it'd be excellent to have all of my messages come back through, just as they were e-mail; except into the Messaging app. I have SMS Backup and Restore, but again, it's an extra step to transfer to a new device or flash.
6. Optional unified volume control. Some like the different volume settings for ringer and media and notification. I don't. Again I have this solved via Cyanogen, but it should be a toggle within the OS.
7. Better media format support. We've got 1Ghz phones for crying out loud. Give us FLAC and DivX/Xvid. FLAC is a no brainer, it's open source. Converting DivX to MP4 blows. Other Android devices have it via proprietary add-ons, it's time to contemplate putting it into the OS, costs withstanding.
8. APPS TO SD LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY. Even if this had a blatant warning that less than a Class 6 card may cause performance issues, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add this in. I'm maxing out at around 100 apps because I don't have a class 6 card and would rather not take the chance on the community app2SD options. Also, think long and hard about possibly having the app partition structure rewritten, so we can all just throw everything onto one FAT32 partition on the card, having to babysit EXT4 partitions isn't fun for non-Linux folks. When the card is full, that's all she wrote.
Please take my ideas into consideration, and I will give you a big big hug!
@Level 5
Nice requests; that seems a reasonable list of demands.
I highly second number eight!
@Level 5 Would you mind expanding on:
Even if this had a blatant warning that less than a Class 6 card may cause performance issues, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add this in. I'm maxing out at around 100 apps because I don't have a class 6 card and would rather not take the chance on the community app2SD options.
Do Class 6 cards, and better, have an ability to use the SD card? Also, what is the risk of the app2SD options?
Thanks
@juanvaldez
"Do Class 6 cards, and better, have an ability to use the SD card? Also, what is the risk of the app2SD options?"
All cards have the ability to use the app2SD options. The reason you want the class 6 to run it is the read/write speed. Class 2 will run apps slower and may crash. I've heard of folks using a Class 2 and not having problems, conversely I've heard of Class 2 A2SD being a nightmare.
@Level 5
Nice list
@Level 5
To your number seven comment. You can download a app called "Wuzhenhua player"
Wuzhenhua player support format: 4xm,8bps,aac,ac3,eac3,amv,ape,dca,imc,alas,rm,rmvb ,nuv,ptx,tta,wma,wmv,flic,
flac,flv,g726,h261,h263,h264,mp1,mp2,mp3,mp4,smc,t mv,dvdsub,dvbsub
Just an FYI until google supports it on their stock video player.
@Level 5 Awesome list. If I could have only 1 item it would be number 8. Installing apps on the sd card is desperately needed. HTC still can't grasp the concept that in 2010 people might want more then 200mb of space to use on their device. Morons.
@Level 5
And it's high time Android fully supported Unicode or installing language packs. I'm tired of seeing squares on my phone.
@Level 5
Good list - I would also include:
Voice dialing via bluetooth. A ten year old Moto V600 can do it: why not Android?
@Level 5 You missed the most important: JIT PLEASE. We know you've been working on a JIT. We know you're giving a talk at the next dev conference about the JIT. RELEASE THE JIT. Can't wait for my phone to be magically 5x faster!!!
Who cares about Automatic app update on android 2.2 when stuck to android 1.5 Im really disappointed
about my htc hero and android.If google continues this road definitely android gonna fade.
@e1361t
http://www.taranfx.com/download-android-2-1-htc-hero
Take the plunge, the community makes awesome ROMs, get a warranty and go for it, you won't be sorry.
@Level 5
Some people are just mentally unavailable to do such task. I digg the whole rom and stuff but bricking is a possibility. I like to have HTC Sense on my N1 one day...
@cdf74dc9
It's avaiable at modaco, and it runs pretty well (some choppy/laggy scrolling in a few sections of the OS). Bluetooth is wonky currently, Wi-Fi is apparently hit/miss as well. For the most part though the N1 isn't easy to brick, provided you make nandroid backups and don't cut power/pull the battery when flashing the ROM or radio.
Give it a look, you'll be surprised once you do; it's hard to think of my phone without a custom ROM now.
@e1361t
I have the sprint HTC Hero and have Fresh 2.0d Rom (2.1) with live wallpaper and have no issues at all. Everything runs smoothly.
@e1361t The rumour is that one of the big things they are working on in 2.2 is reworking the OS so that future updates are not so hard on the carriers (but splitting out apps from the system core as much as possible). So hopefully this issue will be resolved soon.
By the time the EVO is released it will be running 2.2.
@TimeForTheFairTax : Not with Sprint involved. :|
@One Love
Could be worse Verizon makes Sprint look like an early adopting trend setter.
Awesome how they're testing 2.2
sent from my magic running 1.5
It's not hard to put a 2 there but then again, I'm not surprise because Android update and Flash has been holding out until Apple announces the iPhone 4g. Oh competition, I love it. Can't wait to get flash and UI improvement.
I don't understand why they keep issuing these updates at such a rapid pace. Given how much trouble carriers and vendors are having getting the updates out to their phones and how pissed off people are getting when they don't get the latest for a while, why don't they just space these things apart a little more. In fact, I thought that was part of their plan going forward to prevent the fragmentation in the market that is occuring.
@Fanfoot Well, if you read the post, it pointed out that Google first started talking about 2.0 around this time last year, but the first device with 2.0 (Droid) didn't ship until November.
So just because they might talk about 2.2 now doesn't mean Google is shipping 2.2 any time soon.