More updates on the tablet-optimized Honeycomb OS is always good news, right? Well Google has just released the Android 3.0 platform highlights, which covers a bunch on the new UI, graphics, keyboard, UI framework, and even apps. If that wasn’t enough there’s a handful of new screenshots that Google’s provided to accompany the sweet enhancements that we just can’t wait to get our hands on. More images and details below!
UI Framework:
- Developers can use a new UI components, new themes, richer widgets and notifications, drag and drop, and other new features to create rich and engaging apps for users on larger screen devices.
Support for mulitcore processor architectures:
- Android 3.0 is optimized to run on either single- or dual-core processors, so that applications run with the best possible performance.
High performance 2D and 3D graphics:
- A new property-based animation framework lets developers add great visual effects to their apps. A built-in GL renderer lets developers request hardware-acceleration of common 2D rendering operations in their apps, across the entire app or only in specific activities or views. For adding rich 3D scenes, developers take advantage of a new 3D graphics engine called Renderscript.
Redesigned Keyboard:
- The Android soft keyboard is redesigned to make entering text fast and accurate on larger screen sizes. The keys are reshaped and repositioned for improved targeting, and new keys have been added, such as a Tab key, to provide richer and more efficient text input. Users can touch-hold keys to access menus of special characters and switch text/voice input modes from a button in the System Bar.
Rich Multimedia:
- New multimedia features such as HTTP Live streaming support, a pluggable DRM framework, and easy media file transfer through MTP/PTP, give developers new ways to bring rich content to users.
System Bar:
- This is like the notification bar we are used to on Android today, only it has been moved to the bottom of the screen. You’ll receive notifications there, but it will also house the navigation buttons now.
Customizable Home Screens:
- You get 5 homescreens that are as customizable as ever. They’ve enhanced the setup though and made it easier to navigate.
Browser:
- Browing has been re-vamped. New tabbed browsing, incognito mode and bookmarks presentation are all included. You can also sync your bookmarks with your current Chrome account and enjoy a better experience on non-mobile sites.
Email:
- The Email application uses a new two-pane UI to make viewing and organizing messages more efficient. The app lets users select one or more messages, then select an action from the Action Bar, such as moving them to a folder. Users can sync attachments for later viewing and keep track of email using a home screen Widget.
Enhancements for enterprise:
- New administrative policies, such as for encrypted storage and password expiration, help enterprise administrators manage devices more effectively.
New types of connectivity:
- New APIs for Bluetooth A2DP and HSP let applications offer audio streaming and headset control. Support for Bluetooth insecure socket connection lets applications connect to simple devices that may not have a user interface.
UI BUILDER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADT PLUGIN
- In-editor preview of objects animated with the new animation framework.
- Improved drag-and-drop in the editor, with better support for included layouts.
- Visualization of UI based on any version of the platform. independent of project target. Improved rendering, with better support for custom views.
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