Android 2.1 Preview
Posted: December 19th, 2009 | Author: JustinN | Filed under: Android OS | 5 Comments »
There is only ONE phone currently shipping with Android 2.0 (now 2.0.1), and already version 2.1 is making an appearance. Android 2.1 is the build on the device Google gave out to a bunch of it’s employees (the Nexus One). After a system dump from that phone showed up on the net, hackers have been working hard getting it running on other Android phones. I’ve been playing with it on my Motorola Droid for the better half of the day, and here’s what you have to look forward to.
The notification area and shade are unchanged. The app launcher is completely new. It no longer slides up from the bottom. Hitting the grid button on the bottom launches the launcher which has a new 3d effect. Instead of disappearing off the top/bottom of the screen, icons now roll off and fade into the background as you scroll. There is also a new “snap back” effect when you hit the top or bottom of the app grid. These features are kind of neat, but but don’t offer any new functionality.