Android has released an official video showing off its new Android 2.3 mobile operating system, codenamed ‘Gingerbread.’
Although anyone looking for huge OMG! changes is likely to be disappointed, there’s enough tweaks and new features to make this a significant step in Android’s evolution.
The techie promo video below shows off what the new OS can offer, with gaming developers now being able to directly access Open GLS and audio, and employ Gingerbread’s gyroscope support to create faster, slicker games.
Android 2.3 also makes it easier for app authors to add two-way Internet video calls, and support for the WebM video compression standard means it will be possible to play videos hosted on YouTube or other Web sites inside the Android browser.
The new multitouch virtual keyboard lets users enter symbols with on-screen keyboard shortcut combinations backed by the ability to switch to voice mode to make corrections.
Here’s a break down of the new features:
- Theme and user interface touch-ups
- Redesigned virtual keyboard with different font
- Switch to voice mode to make text corrections
- Multitouch capabilities to enter keyboard shortcuts
- One-touch text selection
- Power manager closes some CPU-hogging apps
- More accessible power management app
- Internet calling via SIP
- NFC (near field communication) support
- New download manager
- Access to front-facing camera from camera app
- Enhancements for game developers
- API support for sensors including gyroscope, gravity, and barometer
- New audio effects for developers, including sound mixing
- Support for VP8/WebM video compression
- Camera API access for developers
[Via]
