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Android 2.2 ''Froyo'' Brings Better Graphics, RAM

- By - Source : Tom's Guide US

Google may release the next Android update next month.

Android and Me reports that Google is currently testing version 2.2--codenamed "Froyo"--of its Android mobile operating system. Unnamed sources said that the feature set for Android 2.2 was frozen "long ago," and mainly focuses on performance enhancements including freeing up additional RAM for end-users, and (gasp!) support for Adobe Flash 10.1.

Sources also indicate that Android 2.2 will bring enhancements to OpenGL ES 2.0 and cross multitouch. Apparently Froyo, or a future build of the OS, will add new APIs to the Android NDK which will let Java developers gain access to the entire OpenGL ES 2.0 library. Hopefully his will mean games will have better graphics than what's currently available on the Android Market.

As for the extra RAM, Android and Me said that Froyo uses a new Linux kernel--v2.6.32--which will make it possible to address the device's extra RAM. The cross multitouch enhancements may only apply to the HTC Touch, however there's some hope that Froyo will address touchscreen resolutions across the board.

Other features listed in the next update may be device-specific including multicolor trackball notifications and enabling FM radio. "I spoke with Google’s Eric Tseng during CES and he told me there were many secrets left in the Nexus One that we would discover later," the site stated.

It's also assumed that Android 2.2 may appear in the wild during Google's I/O event on May 19th. Android and Me said that Google has provided every developer attending the event a free Droid or Nexus One, "so it is possible to see a simultaneous release on both devices."

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jkeopka 04/21/2010 11:25 PM
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I want it now for Nexus One :(

silky salamandr 04/21/2010 11:48 PM
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Hell were still waiting for android 2.1 on the hero. This will be out before we even get an update to an obsolete os LOL.

house70 04/22/2010 12:00 PM
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that baby will be on a MCR custom rom even before it will hit the official release, all rooted and ready to go. Can hardly wait...

kelfen 04/22/2010 12:01 PM
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progress being made me likes droid

dan117 04/22/2010 12:18 PM
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I want it for the HTC Magic. I think the 288 MB version has enough ram for any new Android version.

adipose 04/22/2010 12:24 PM
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I wish these idiots would fix bluetooth dialing first.

NapoleonDK 04/22/2010 12:43 PM
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silky salamandr :
Hell were still waiting for android 2.1 on the hero. This will be out before we even get an update to an obsolete os LOL.

I'm addicted to Android! I dreamt of 2.1 on my Eris a few weeks ago. I thought maybe it was the OTA stirring my brainwaves and fondling my subconscious. But sadly no...

xxsk8er101xx 04/22/2010 12:48 PM
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Hopefully this update will be availble for the HTC Droid Incredible.

dman3k 04/22/2010 12:57 PM
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Quote :Froyo, or a future build of the OS, will add new APIs to the Android NDK which will let Java developers gain access

Android NDK is C/C++ not Java. Java developers won't get anything unless it's a java Android sdk.

rdawise 04/22/2010 4:58 AM
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dman3k :
Android NDK is C/C++ not Java. Java developers won't get anything unless it's a java Android sdk.



The NDK allows you to use C/C++, but it is to be used in conjuction with the SDK (Java). I think what they meant is that now you will be able to use Java to make API calls to access OpenGL since it is contained in the NDK. Kind of makes sense sense Java was built from C and C++ after all.

But, I'm just guessing here.

anamaniac 04/22/2010 7:51 AM
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I like. :D
However, I'm still eyeing Symbian.

TunaSoda 04/22/2010 4:10 PM
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I thought "Froyo" was code name for 2.5, not 2.2?

dman3k 04/22/2010 7:47 PM
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rdawise :
The NDK allows you to use C/C++, but it is to be used in conjuction with the SDK (Java). I think what they meant is that now you will be able to use Java to make API calls to access OpenGL since it is contained in the NDK. Kind of makes sense sense Java was built from C and C++ after all. But, I'm just guessing here.

Err... No. Java cannot make calls to elements not contained the API. The Android NDK does not upgrade any Java API to make those calls. However, one can build his/her own API with the Android NDK to make those OpenGL calls. But that doesn't mean Froyo added an API for Java developers for graphics. Froyo might have add a means to create an API that can make OpenGL calls.

And even if you do make your own API, good luck adding the "entire OpenGL library" into the API. Theoretically possible, but Seriously, it's just not going to happen.

rdawise 04/23/2010 5:57 AM
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dman3k :
Err... No. Java cannot make calls to elements not contained the API. The Android NDK does not upgrade any Java API to make those calls. However, one can build his/her own API with the Android NDK to make those OpenGL calls. But that doesn't mean Froyo added an API for Java developers for graphics. Froyo might have add a means to create an API that can make OpenGL calls.And even if you do make your own API, good luck adding the "entire OpenGL library" into the API. Theoretically possible, but Seriously, it's just not going to happen.



Ummm...maybe you mistundertood me.

I understand Java cannot make calls to elements outside of the API, but Java can make calls to native classes (NDK).

In addition, You can currently make opengl calls in Java using JOGL API. I am not sure which APIs they plan to add to the NDK. Maybe they meant they were going update the SDK to make the Opengl bindings more accessible.

Again, just a thought.



nukemaster 04/23/2010 4:10 PM
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Flash would be nice.

Anonymous 04/25/2010 1:24 AM
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Bluetooth dialing is a critical usability and safety feature.