Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Android 2.3 Gingerbread is around the corner and expected to reveal at 11th November. Google Headquarters has showed the intent by displaying Gingerbread Man and rumors of Nexus Two/Nexus S are heating the situation. Android Gingerbread should contain something substantial as the competition is getting tough after Windows Phone 7 has also joined with some noteworthy improvements. Android Gingerbread is surely a make or break case for Google to give Apple’s iOS more competition.

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Improvements and new features
The new stuff in Android 2.3 includes:

• New UI theme with simpler color scheme
• Redesigned on-screen keyboard
• New copy-and-paste functionality
• Better power management
• Better application management
• New downloads manager
• Near-field communications (NFC) integration
• SIP calling over the Internet
• New camera app for accessing multiple cameras
• Support for extra large screens (i.e. tablets)

User Interface Changes in Android 2.3 Gingerbread

iOS and Windows Phone 7 surely have designed the best mobile UIs out there. To meet the challenge, Android Gingerbread would be bringing some sizzling changes in the UI. It is evident from the Google’s Car Home App that UI is going to be “Extremely intuitive”. This app also suggests some fundamental changes in core Android.

This was a built in system app which could be upgraded only by upgrading Android. It has been decoupled from core Android and upgradeable separately. The new user interface is also promising and hints about the possible interface in Android Gingerbread.

• The icons can be rearranged as you like.
• Shortcuts to different other apps can be added as empty pages are available.
• The color of shortcut icons can be changed.
• Custom wallpaper can be assigned as app background.

Google Music Service to be Unveiled along with Android 2.3 Gingerbread:

It has been speculated since long that Google will eventually launch a Music Service. TechCrunch has some latest sound information about this service which was expected to be unveiled on 28th October. The delay can be justified as Android Gingerbread event will be a better venue to announce it. This is going to be a partnership between Lala, iLike, and MySpace. User will be able to search, stream, and purchase media.

Music Player Enhancement in Android 2.3 Gingerbread:

The default media player would support more codecs by default at the OS Level

Reveling Touch Keyboard to be introduced in Android 2.3 Gingerbread:

This is surely going to be some gasping change in Android OS. Google will introduce the technology by BlindType in Android Touch Keyboard. The technique by BlindType ensures sloppy typing without frustration to learn the new layout. It automatically adjusts according to the user’s perceived keyboard and typing style.