Google clears-up Android confusion, new update coming this summer
Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt has cleared-up confusion surrounding Android naming conventions at this year’s Mobile World Congress, and said that a new release will arrive in six months.
The next version of Android will combine 2.3 ‘Gingerbread’ and 3.0 ‘Honeycomb’ – the latter being exclusive to tablets.
Schmidt also said that Google will (thankfully) be putting an end to the confusion over the naming of different Android versions, saying that from now on he’d like people to stop referring to version numbers, and start calling the updates by their dessert-themed codenames.
There was debate over whether Honeycomb was Android 2.4 or 3.0, and there’s been further confusion over whether Android 2.4 – which supposedly features on the upcoming HTC Desire S – is still Gingerbread or something else (it now seems the Desire S will run an updated version of Gingerbread – 2.3.3).
Schmidt also confirmed, in a roundabout way, that the next version of Android will be called ‘Ice Cream’.
‘We’ve got an OS for phones called ‘Gingerbread’ and one for tablets called ‘Honeycomb’ – G and H. You can imagine that the next will begin with I, and will be named after a dessert,’ said Schmidt.
So….to recap:
- Gingerbread is the latest version of Android, also known as 2.3 (though currently the only available phone that runs it is the Google Nexus S).
- Honeycomb is the next version of Android, also known as 3.0 (though this will only be available on tablets, such as the Motorola Xoom).
- Ice Cream will be the version after Honeycomb – scheduled to release sometime in the summer.
Phew, that wasn’t too hard now was it?
[Via Pocketlint]
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Sandra
I have a Samsung galaxy tab which, I believe is running Android 2.2?
It was purchased in December 2010 (xmas).
Should I be able to upgrade to Honeycomb?
Would there be an upgrade cost?
Would the upgrade be worthwhile?
Thanks.
Christopher@Which?
Hi Sandra,
No one knows yet if the original Galaxy Tab will be getting the Honeycomb upgrade. A rumour was leaked last month that the Galaxy Tab would not receive the upgrade because it does not have a dual-core processor, but this rumour was then denied by Android developers (they said Honeycomb has no minimal hardware requirements).
If you ask me, the Galaxy Tab will almost certainly get an Android update before the end of summer. It might not be Honeycomb. But it will at least be Gingerbread, or perhaps Ice Cream.
Android updates won’t cost you anything, and yes it is definitely a good idea to update if you can – this will ensure your device is compatible with future apps, plus many updates will come with new features and small improvements, such as slightly better battery life and better loading times.
Paul
Hi, I am thinking of buying the HTC Desire HD, sim-free, but was wondering whether to wait to see if it will be upgraded with Gingerbread or waiting for something like the Sony Arc that will have Gingerbread. I have the original G1 but it is just about dead now and switches off after a few hours even though the battery is still half full.
Christopher@Which?
EDIT: I’ve just heard from my colleague Ben Stevens who is at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that HTC have confirmed the Desire HD will get Gingerbread. My original comment below.
Hi Paul. It’s still unclear if the Desire HD will get Gingerbread. My guess is that it will, but that’s just based on the fact that it launched with 2.2, and recently HTC has pushed at least one Android update to its handsets.
However, if you’re thinking of buying a new Android phone you shouldn’t base your decision too much on whether it’s Froyo or Gingerbread, the difference won’t be that great. It’s better to focus on the handset itself – especially between different manufacturers as they often overlay their own user interface onto Android, which can often make more of a difference than the OS updates themselves.
Also think about hardware features like NFC and front facing cameras, not many phones have these features now, but by the time summer comes around they’ll be everywhere.
I can’t speak for the Arc as we haven’t tested it yet, but the Desire HD is a Which? Best Buy and from my experience it’s a really good phone (though a little on the large side).
Naveed
I have the original Desire and I am wondering if it will be getting the Gingerbread (which seems likely) and if so when. And will the original Desire be capable of running the Ice Cream 2.4 update?