Android SDK release

Created by admin under Android

Google recently pushed out the release of a new SDK for Android (version 1.6) in September 2009, unfortunately, this left many of the traditional phones that run the Android platform fairly delayed in comparison to the projected release dates. However, there is good news for developers; the new release takes into account the varying new specifications of the new phones in terms of processor power, screen size, text-to-speech features, and a plethora of features that are standard on these phones.

The new release also deals with an improved ability to deal Web 2.0 features. There are a number of phones that plan to be released in the fourth quarter of this year with major carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint. The high-end phones are coming from major manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, and Motorola. However, the biggest probable focus for many carriers will be the improved CDMA support which gives Verizon and AT&T customers the ability to access some of these high-end phones.

The new SDK release also incorporates Quick Search and improved new user features that lets developers utilize user input to machine interface. In simplified English, this means that when the user opens a new window, the phone will make a sound highlighting this activity. The Quick Search is a nice update as well which allows the phone to learn frequent user inputs and places them near the top of the results. A nice feature considering that many people often have upwards of hundreds of contacts in their phones.

Coupled with the new release is the new text-to-speech API is absolutely fantastic. This upgrade lets users translate on a real time basis English to a foreign language and vice versa. It’s a great little option to have while wandering around a variety of countries. Considering that many of the projected phones for release this year are carrier independent and used by business professionals, as a result, this feature will help globe-trotting individuals with those tricky situations.

Gesture support is the next new upgrade in the new SDK which is extremely important considering the touch screen nature of all the phones that are being released this year. HTC, Samsung and Motorola have all pushed out phones that specifically utilize touch screens as primary input along with QWERTY keyboards as secondary inputs. The importance of such a function cannot be lost on touch screen phones.

This update clearly is what will push new phones into the market prior to the major holiday spending season. It seems that all the parties, both cell phone manufacturers and cell phone service carriers are breathing a long sigh of relief with the release of this update. Finally looks like it’s going to be a good time for some serious Android development.