T-Mobile has finally released the Android 2.1 software update for the Motorola Cliq smartphone today, meaning Android 1.5 may finally be gone.
Until this week, about 8 percent of all Android handsets available were still running 1.5, which launched in March 2009.
The update is not available OTA yet, so users will have to download it manually. The instructions link is posted at the bottom of this article as the process is somewhat complicated.
With 2.1 comes turn-by-turn navigation for Google Maps, voice search, updated Media Gallery and Connected Music Player apps, and speech-to-text.
There will now be six more home screens, widgets can be rearranged and resized, quick actions are added, and favorites can be given a space on the homepages.
The Exchange server has been updated, as well as battery-life saving widgets such as the Power Control toolbar. Users will also get a built-in Task Manager.
More importantly, Cliq users will finally be able to download most of the apps in the Android Market. There were very few still fully compatible with 1.5.
Result for: software update
Although unconfirmed, CNET is reporting today that Barnes & Noble is preparing to unveil a full color version of the Nook e-reader device at an event next Tuesday.
CNET says the source “has proven reliable” in the past year but this should still be treated as a rumor for now.
The new Nook Color will have a 7-inch screen, with a retail price of $250.
Just like its predecessor, the Color will run on the Android mobile OS and offer a multi-touch experience.
B&N will continue to sell its current line of Nooks, which will see a major software update in the near future.
It is still unclear what kind of full color display will be used.
Result for: software update
Google has noted today that current versions of Android are not suitable for tablets, and devices released now will likely not be able to compete with the popular Apple iPad.
One of the main reasons it will not be able to compete is the fact that the Android Market will not work well on tablets.
Says Hugo Barra, director of products for mobile at Google: “Android is an open platform. We saw at IFA 2010 all sorts of devices running Android, so it already running on tablets.”
“But the way Android Market works is it’s not going to be available on devices that don’t allow applications to run correctly.”
Continuing on about Froyo, in regards to tablets, Barra says:
“Froyo is not optimised for use on tablets. If you want Android market on that platform, the apps just wouldn’t run, [Froyo] is just not designed for that form factor.
“We want to make sure that we’re going to create a application distribution mechanism for the Android market, to ensure our users have right experience.”
Despite those words, Google has already stated that upcoming software updates, Gingerbread and Honeycomb will be tablet-optimized.
