1. User Interface Refinements
2. Performance Improvements
3. New Features
4. New APIs and Developer Tools

There are many exciting new features included like faster GPS aquisitions, official widgets, a predictive text engine, and more.  Read the full list for more details.  The following features are the ones I am looking forward to the most.

Text Prediction Engine

Since day one of owning my T-Mobile G1, I have longed for a soft T9 keyboard.  I had hoped that chompSMS would have supported this input method, but I believe they were waiting for Android 1.5.  Finally, I will be able to easily send text messages with my thumb.  Even users of the physical keyboard can benefit from the use of predictive text.  Custom IMEs (input method engines) will be available to download for use with our favorite applications.

Upload Videos to Youtube

Soon you can upload videos from your phone.

Now that video recording and playback will be supported, it only makes sense to support YouTube uploads.  A new media sharing intent has been created so you could also share your videos with Twitter or other social networks.  The camera has received performance enhancements, but I’m not quite sure of the video quality we can expect from the G1.  I expect developers to create some exciting new applications with the new video recording APIs.

Browser UI Changes

The browser is set to receive some much needed updates like tabbed bookmarks, history, and a most-visited screen.  The current bookmark support is very limited and I’m glad to see it get some attention.  The history and most viewed detail is also a welcome addition.  Also included are the latest versions of the Webkit and Squirrelfish Javascript engines.

What features from the official Android 1.5 list are you looking forward to the most?

The wait is almost over for Android 1.5