Google and the Open Handset Alliance has embarked on a new chapter as they’ve just released the Android 1.6 aka Donut SDK to developers. It’s now available for download here which promises to open a whole new world for the Android platform.
Two of its most notable features include support for both GSM and CDMA networks and varying display sizes as well. These two new features will definitely help make Android more available to a wider set of manufacturers and carriers who wish to offer up this relatively new platform to their subscribers. The other interesting new feature in Donut is the text-to-speech API which not only boasts of using the proper accent depending on the language, but also offers translation services too. Last, but certainly not the least, is the new QuickSearch feature that helps you easily find content both online and from your device through the use of a single text field. Think of it as Android’s version of the Palm’s webOS search feature.
Here’s a video showcasing all these new features live in action:
They’ve also announced in their Android Developers blog that Android 1.6-based devices will be available as early as next month. The upcoming HTC Hero and Motorola Cliq will probably be among the first batch of phones that will be released running on this latest version of Android. Pretty exciting stuff indeed, but I’m sure you guys will agree with me when I say that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done in order for them to eclipse the popularity of the iPhone.
So, let’s get your suggestions in guys; what’s that one (or two) feature(s) you’re dying to see on the Android platform that will finally convince you to buy an Android phone in the near future?
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