Google: Froyo Not Optimised For Tablets

Google's Android 2.2 wasn't meant to be used on tablets.

Recently Hugo Barra, director of products for mobile at Google, said that the current build of Android--v2.2 aka 'Froyo'--isn't optimized to be used on tablets. Barra even went on to say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab--which uses Android 2.2--isn't really a tablet, but more like a big phone.

"Android is an open platform," Barra said in a short interview. "We saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices running Android, so it already running on tablets. But the way Android Market works is it's not going to be available on tablets that don't allow devices and applications to run correctly. Which devices do, and which don't will be unit specific, but Froyo is not optimized for use on tablets."

Barra added that if tablet manufacturers wanted Android market on the Froyo platform, the apps just wouldn't run, as it's not designed for that form factor. "We want to make sure that we're going to create an application distribution mechanism for the Android market, to ensure our users have right experience."

It's reported that Google wants to evoke the "wow factor" in tablets, adding custom animations and user interfaces. Although Gingerbread and Honeycomb are rumored to be tablet-friendly, there's speculation that Google is working on an exclusive OS to be used on tablets--most likely a modified version of Google's Chrome OS.

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There are 18 Comments.

Top Comments

16

lamorpa , September 11, 2010 2:00 AM

getrealYep, everyone is still trying to play catch up with the #1 spot, Apple. It's the same issue with the phones; a new version of Faildroid comes out, and none of the phones support it for months. No surprise that the tablets come out and won't even support it, LOL. Typical, pathetic experience that can be expected from Faildroid.Maybe one of these days Faildroid and all the iPad / iPhone wannabes will catch up to where Apple was a year ago, but by that time, Apple will be even farther ahead in everything than they already are...and that's a LOT.

I'm surprised you had time to type such a long comment between your sweaty lovemaking sessions with you iPad and iPhone. Don't they get sticky after a while?

Other Comments

16

lamorpa , September 11, 2010 2:00 AM

getrealYep, everyone is still trying to play catch up with the #1 spot, Apple. It's the same issue with the phones; a new version of Faildroid comes out, and none of the phones support it for months. No surprise that the tablets come out and won't even support it, LOL. Typical, pathetic experience that can be expected from Faildroid.Maybe one of these days Faildroid and all the iPad / iPhone wannabes will catch up to where Apple was a year ago, but by that time, Apple will be even farther ahead in everything than they already are...and that's a LOT.

I'm surprised you had time to type such a long comment between your sweaty lovemaking sessions with you iPad and iPhone. Don't they get sticky after a while?
7

Humans think , September 11, 2010 1:23 AM

That below the belt kick sure hearts Samsung Galaxy Tab...
5

Humans think , September 11, 2010 2:18 AM

getrealYep, everyone is still trying to play catch up with the #1 spot, Apple. It's the same issue with the phones; a new version of Faildroid comes out, and none of the phones support it for months. No surprise that the tablets come out and won't even support it, LOL. Typical, pathetic experience that can be expected from Faildroid.Maybe one of these days Faildroid and all the iPad / iPhone wannabes will catch up to where Apple was a year ago, but by that time, Apple will be even farther ahead in everything than they already are...and that's a LOT.

You see iPhone/Pod/Pad/Pwhatever as a complete product. Custom tailored hardware, design and OS and as a combo, I agree that it has the killer right now and is setting the grounds of the market with innovative functions and integration. But android is an opensource platform and like Linux one of its main goals should be to cover different configurations of hardware. Noone (I really hope) wants to get chained in a console-like platform, get assimilated and then when there is no way out get milked...

Google: Froyo Not Optimised For Tablets

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