Google unveils Android 2.2: faster, and with better security

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 25 May 2010 17:25

Your IT - Mobility

Google has unveiled details of Android 2.2, promising that it will be faster, enable developers to add security and able to turn the phone into a WiFi hotspot.

Xavier Ducrohet, Android SDK Tech Lead, said a new Dalvik JIT compiler in Android 2.2 - code named 'Froyo' (Frozen yogurt) - would deliver between a two and five times the performance of Android 2.1 in CPU-bound code.

Browsing performance has also been improved through inclusion of the V8 JavaScript engine in the Android browser. This has resulted in a two to three times improvement in JavaScript performance vs. 2.1, according to Ducrohet.

New device policy management APIs will allow developers to write applications that can control security features of the device such as the remote wipe, minimum password, lock-screen timeout etc.

New data backup APIs enable apps to participate in data backup and restore, allowing an application's last data to be restored when installed on a new or a reset device. Apps can use Android Cloud to Device Messaging to enable mobile alert, send to phone, and two-way push sync functionality.

Google has also improved interworking with Microsoft Exchange, with account auto-discovery and calendar sync.

Some phones will be able to be used as WiFi hotspots, providing access to the Internet via the phone's data link. The Nexus One, for example will be able to support up to eight users.

Also Bluetooth functionality has been improve with the addition of voice dialing over Bluetooth, the ability to share contacts with other phones via Bluetooth, support for Bluetooth-enabled car and desk docks, and improved compatibility with car kits and headsets.

No firm date for release has been given but Ducrohet said it was "right around the corner."