At the Google I/O 2010 conference last week, Google launched its latest Android 2.2 OS (codenamed Froyo). In conjunction with the release, Google has also introduced Android 2.2 SDK for developers to start developing applications or testing apps on the Android 2.2 platform. The Android 2.2 platform has been improved with new user features, platform technologies, developer services and developer APIs for users and developers.
Key features of the Android 2.2 platform includes:
- New Home screen tips widget.
- Dedicated shortcuts on the Home screen for easy to access from any of the 5 home screen panels.
- USB and Wi-Fi Internet tethering.
- Multiple keyboard languages.
- 2 to 3 times improvement in JavaScript loading.
- 2 to 5 times better performance on same hardware.
- Support for V8 Codec which is a new standard for online media by Google.
- Able to install applications on your SD-card instead of your phone.
- Update all the applications at once.
- Improved Android market.
- Use voice gestures to trigger applications.
- Gallery allows the user to peek into picture stacks using a zoom gesture.
The Android 2.2 SDK has been designed as a downloadable component which includes a fully compliant Android library and system image, a set of emulator skins, sample applications and etc, but without external libraries. The new SDK allows developers to develop apps and games that compatible with Android OS 2.2. If you’re interested, you can download Android 2.2 SDK from Android Developers or using the links below:
Windows: android-sdk_r06-windows.zip
Mac OS X: android-sdk_r06-mac_86.zip
Linux (i386): android-sdk_r06-linux_86.tgz
