Tomorrow is the first day of Google I/O, the event held for Google developers to learn about and discuss Google specific programming, API usage and of course, Android. This year’s event looks to be quite interesting for Android, with rumors spreading quickly of the imminent announcement of Android 2.2, code name Froyo (Frozen Yogurt). We’ve already learned that the delicious looking Froyo sculpture has landed on Google’s lawn, even if it’s still in wraps. That is usually a very good sign of an announcement forthcoming. Google I/O seems the perfect place to make that announcement. Included at Google I/O are many different talks of Android, some for game developers, others about new UI patterns and finally one about JIT (Just In Time) compiler that is rumored to help boost performance of the benchmarks some 450%. We aren’t sure how that will translate to real-world performance yet, but even if just 1/18th of that makes it way to app opening and screen swap changes, that’s a huge 25% jump.
Other news includes some rumors that Adobe and Google will be highlighting some special Android/Flash love as well. It’s been foretold that upon upgrading to Android 2.2, users will be directed to a number of mobile sites that highlight usage of Flash to promote itself. This is in contrast to Apple and HTML5 website highlights with the iPad. I am not a huge fan of Flash myself, having seen it bring a perfectly capable web browser and computer to a dead standstill more that I’d like to admit, but it is nice to have options for developers. I can simply choose not to browse to those websites if I find it isn’t useful. I do like the options and feel this is a great move though.
Other tidbits of Froyo news includes built in USB (wired) tethering, which some phones already have as well, such as the HTC Hero for Sprint and a WiFi hotspot feature allowing users to make their cell phone a miniature WiFi router/hub for other wireless devices to access the web from. I have tried both these features using my rooted phone. Unless you happen to be in an area with great signal and data rate, it can be more aggravating that functional, however, it beats paying $7 for internet usage at the airport, even if it’s just for emails and messages.
The next few days are going to be Android heaven for some. Stay tuned.
