What features were left off Android 2.0?

Taylor Wimberly — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:54:52 +0000

Anytime a major software release happens, certain features will be left on the cutting room floor in order to hit the target release date. Android 2.0 was no exception to this rule and we know of two features that were left off. Android 2.1 is currently in development for the Motorola Droid and we have no idea what will be included, but it is possible the following features might find their way into the release.

Google Earth for Android

Google Earth has been available on the iPhone for over a year. The application was recently updated to version 2.0, but it is still not available for Android. Believe it or not, Google Earth was originally slated to be available on the Motorola Droid. Apparently it was not ready in time because the application was left off the phone. Keep an eye on the Android Market, because we expect to see Google Earth in the next couple of months.

Chrome Sync for bookmarks

The Motorola Droid was also supposed to support bookmark syncing with the Chrome browser. This feature is currently available in the latest Chrome 4.0 beta, but it was not ready in time for the Droid launch. Expect this feature in a future version of the Android browser once it comes out of beta for the desktop version.

Know of any other features that might be coming to Android 2.1? Hit up our tip line.

Android 2.0 predictions – Part 2

Taylor Wimberly — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:44:28 +0000

Reuters first confirmed that Android 2.0 (Eclair) will be released this year and my sources keep telling me the Motorola Sholes from Verizon will be the flagship phone to launch the new update. Motorola announced we would get a first look at their new Android phones in September and recently sent out media invitations for a September 10th event. With two more weeks left to go before we might see Android 2.0, tips are flying in at a rapid pace.

The following information should be considered a rumor and I’ll let you judge how accurate we have been in the past. I think our readers are pretty smart so I’ll present some public info and you can answer the following questions on your own. This is a 3 part series I will update over the following days.

Please remember that anything is possible with Android 2.0. Google, Motorola, and Verizon are working very hard to make this major update compete directly with the iPhone OS 3.0 and the Palm Pre WebOS. It appears they are pulling out some major new features to ensure Android 2.0 is a huge success.

3. Is Chrome sync coming to Android 2.0?

Last week Google announced that their Chrome browser would allow users to sync their bookmarks across multiple computers.

Chrome allows you to sync your bookmarks with your Google account.

Since the Android browser is based off Chrome, what is stopping this feature from coming to Android? Google wants to promote Chrome and Android so linking the two platforms together makes sense. The current bookmark system of Android is very lacking and in need of an update. The only way to backup your bookmarks is with a 3rd party app and I find that annoying.

Bookmarks are the only thing to sync right now, but image what else could be done. Eventually we could see browser history, most visited pages, and passwords synced.

4. Is Market getting a major update with Android 2.0?

Users have been asking for an update to the Market for a long time and I have been told the wait is almost over.

A new Android Market is right around the corner.

What new features can we expect from the updated Market? For starters, Google said they would be adding more payment options for customers. One of those payment options allows app purchases to be billed to the carriers. Could Verizon be the first carrier to offer this billing option when they launch the Motorola Sholes?

Other possible new features include a coupon system, a major UI refresh, and application discovery. Coupons codes are currently supported by Google Checkout and one feature I’m really looking forward too. Coupons could allow developers to offer limited time discounts or hand out free review copies. The new UI could offer enhancements like support for screen shots. This is offered in the iPhone App Store and a highly requested feature from the community.