First Android Gingerbread details emerge
New Android OS, new icons
Many of us don’t have our FroYo yet, but the next iteration of the Android OS has been spied in the wild.
Android specialist website Phandroid appears to have seen it in action, and has reported on some of the noticeable (mainly cosmetic) changes. With iOS still (in many people’s eyes) the prettier OS, and the striking Windows Phone 7 imminent, an Android revamp is probably in order.
Apparently the icons have been completely changed, to the point that they now possess a simplified '8-bit' look. We like the whole 8-bit style, but is that playing on the platform’s faintly nerdy image a little too much? We’ll have to see it for ourselves before we can say for sure, but the report claims that the change is a positive one.
Elsewhere the new OS is embracing its signature green a lot more, with splashes of the colour dotted all over the place. The notification bar, meanwhile, has taken on a Touchwiz-style "slate-grey" hue.
There’s also a subtle orange “force-field” effect when you reach the end of a scrolling list, which signifies that you can go no further.
Apparently, Google is also working on some of the default apps to ensure that they feel more like an extension of the OS than a standalone product. The YouTube app is receiving just such attention, with a slicker skin and 'Lean Back' integration (which launches the site in a full-screen, continuous play mode).
Away from cosmetic considerations, the biggest addition is reportedly support for video chat, which works in a similar way to video chat on Google Talk, if you’ve ever used that on your computer.
Along with that, Google will be adding SIP support in their Google Voice application, which will mean you’ll be able to receive calls over a wi-fi network rather than eating into your monthly call plan. It might not be ready for launch, but the structure will be in place for a future update to make use of.
As for release, Gingerbread was down for a Q4 announcement and release, but don’t be surprised if it slips into next year.
