Samsung Reveals New Android ''Honeycomb'' OS
The folks over at Samsung are bound to be a little giddy today. After all, they just announced their Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab! What's not to be excited about? Unfortunately, it seems they've let a little secret slip amidst all their tablet talk.
Speaking to Tech Radar during a Q&A, Samsung's WP Hong revealed that, though the Galaxy Tab will be upgrading from Froyo (Android 2.1) to Gingerbread (Android 3.0) at some stage, the tablet will not be seeing any Honeycomb action.
"The next platform we'll be using [on the Galaxy Tab] will be Gingerbread. Depending on our international partners, we'll be working to upgrade from Froyo to Gingerbread."
"Moving forward, with Honeycomb, that will be used in the next generation tablet, as it [Honeycomb] is specifically optimised for different type of tablet, and will be used on another product only."
Now, we hear you when you ask, "What the heck is Honeycomb?" Because we don't have a clue either. This is the first time its ever been mentioned but our curiosity is well and truly piqued. What kind of tablet is Honeycomb optimized for? Will there be hardware specification restrictions in place (similar to Windows Phone 7)?
We've heard Gingerbread will see a mid-October release and the first handsets will ship in time for the holidays. We've also heard that it's recommended specs are 1GHZ CPU, 512MB or RAM, and a display measuring 3.5-inches or bigger. Gingerbread will also bring a completely revamped user interface, which makes us wonder what they're planning on changing with Honeycomb. Will any smartphones see Honeycomb? So many questions!
Google has not commented on Wong's slip of the tongue yet. We'll update if they release a statement.
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I still won't buy the tablet in the first place if it's anywhere near the Galaxy s' price.
Personally, I'm more intrigued by the idea of the hardware that will utilize this unknown Android OS - the "next generation tablet," for which Honeycomb is "specifically optimized." Let more slip, Samsung reps.
Couple of typos - Froyo is Android 2.2, not 2.1 as it's listed in the article; and Gingerbread's recommended specs are 512MB of RAM, not 512MB or RAM.
Thanks for the info about Honeycomb, sounds interesting. Keep the info coming guys!
Don't you mean Froyo (Android 2.2)?
Google is on the roll these days. Everyone like their Android OS.
Seriously these companies need to lower the price of these tablets. For the same price I can get a 13 inch laptop with a lot more connectivity and flexibility IMO.
I guess we'll find out sooner or later what Honycomb is. But in the meantime... would you like fries with those?
oh! the confusion!!! is it android 2.1 or 2.2?!?! its just a typo! jesus!
I believe I saw somewhere else that Honeycomb was the code name for the next iteration of Android after Gingerbread.
Half the phones out now don't support 2.2 "yet", 75% won't support "gingerbread" at all, and 100% won't support "honeycomb".
What a joke of a platform.
So, is Honeycomb big, yea yea yea?
That picture made me drool.
Typos are the new grammae!
Thank GOD my Galaxy S specs match the the minimum requirement for Gingerbread !!
Samsung still didn't release Froyo for Galaxy S and now Gingerbread in coming in mid oct ?!
Come on Samsung hurry up !
It's not small. No, no, no!
Google really seems to be upping the ante, Gingerbread looks good (especially with there own Itunes), and there is very little information on Honeycomb... I wonder if Google will actually comment on this, or just play it cool like it came out on purpose.
It sounds like Honeycomb will become the more norm, and i don't know that everyone is going to want a 3.5+ inch screen cell phone (if it will be used as a smartphone OS). Years ago Motorola made flip phone that was "cool" and now, having a 4+ inch screen is "cool". I like a bigger screen, but i would like having a smaller screen with more battery, and still have a strong processor.
I see the golden honey, where are the crunchy nuts to complete my delicious balanced breakfast?