Android 3.0 Gingerbread, thoughts

Some devices have not yet had time to see the version of Android 2.1 on board, not to mention the just released 2.2, as a more or less specific info about Android 3.0 Gingerbread appeared. I carefully studied the information about this version of Android and will gladly share my thoughts on this topic.


Until recently, I had a completely ambivalent opinion and impression about such a frequent update of Android versions. Some devices are still sold with version 1.5, and after it 1.6, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 have already appeared and in the middle of October (about the 15-16th day) of 2010 they will introduce 3.0 to us. On the one hand, updates (with which they are really cool) are good, it can be seen that the OS does not go around. Stumbling around is fraught with bad consequences, even the Bible says about it: “Who is standing - be careful not to fall” and also “Water does not flow under a lying stone”. An example of today's time is Symbian OS. Once upon a time, information about any other OS was perceived as a joke - there is a great Symbian! This OS has long become a market leader among mobile operating systems, and it is now. However, for quite some time now, Symbian moves not in steps, but in small steps. As a result, there is a loss of interest among software manufacturers, a loss of market share, and today there are all the prerequisites for a change in the leader in the mobile OS market towards the operating system from the search giant.

Such frequent updates of Android versions of some (including me) were a little alarming, because the software in many cases is not compatible with earlier versions - this time; You can wait for an update for your device for a very long time - these are two (remember about HTC Hero). However, the first item would disappear by itself if it was possible to quickly update any device running Android OS. What does that require? It is necessary to get rid of all third-party visual shells, similar to HTC's Sense. They are the brake for a quick update - each new version must be adjusted to the interface. Why do we need interfaces? The fact is that until recently Google put all its efforts into the technical part of its mobile OS, the interface is still not very convenient for many important functions of the device, including calls. Respectively, device manufacturers tried to finish a cool OS for convenient use. And, frankly, this confusion pushed me away. “I'll wait for the version of Android 7.1 in 2015, then I'll buy a device with this OS,” I thought. But Google turned out to be smarter than me, starting with version 3.0 there will be no need for third-party shells, in this version the UI will be completely finalized. What does this give us? By all accounts, all I wanted was an instant update of OS versions when it officially appeared. 3.1 will be released and there is no need to wait half a year for the opportunity to update its ancient 3.0. By the way, the updates themselves will also appear much more restrained - no more than once every half a year. then I’ll buy a device with this OS, ”I thought. But Google turned out to be smarter than me, starting with version 3.0 there will be no need for third-party shells, in this version the UI will be completely finalized. What does this give us? By all accounts, all I wanted was an instant update of OS versions when it officially appeared. 3.1 will be released and there is no need to wait half a year for the opportunity to update its ancient 3.0. By the way, the updates themselves will also appear much more restrained - no more than once every half a year. then I’ll buy a device with this OS, ”I thought. But Google turned out to be smarter than me, starting with version 3.0 there will be no need for third-party shells, in this version the UI will be completely finalized. What does this give us? By all accounts, all I wanted was an instant update of OS versions when it officially appeared. 3.1 will be released and there is no need to wait half a year for the opportunity to update its ancient 3.0. By the way, the updates themselves will also appear much more restrained - no more than once every half a year.

There are also limitations of the new version of Android, which will keep afloat versions 2.1 and 2.2, namely the exactingness to hardware. Upgrading to Gingerbread can only devices with a minimum processor frequency of 1 GHz, with at least 512 MB of RAM and a display diagonal of at least 3.5 ″. Weaker models will support upgrades to a maximum of version 2.2. By the way, for displays with a diagonal of 4 inches or higher, a screen resolution of 1280 × 760 will be available, today Android supports a maximum resolution of 854x480 pixels.
This is undoubtedly a very important and wise step by developers, which will remove most of the barriers to transition to a new OS for those who want to use one device for a long time while maintaining its software relevance.

UPD Most likely, the version will be with an index of 2.3, not 3.0. Thanks to the commenters!