Android 2 3 is here and what does it bring

Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) has been released on the 6th of December 2010. While it is still a minor release, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) would probably bring greater surprises. Atleast I am hoping that there would be the "Wow" factor with it.

Here are a few features of the Gingerbread version:

• Updated user interface design
• Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions (WXGA and higher)
• Native support for SIP VoIP telephony
• Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding
• New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost
• Support for Near Field Communication
• System-wide copy–paste functionalities
• Redesigned multi-touch software keyboard
• Enhanced support for native code development
• Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers
• Concurrent garbage collection for increased performance
• Native support for more sensors (such as gyroscopes and barometers)
• A download manager for long running downloads
• Improved power management and application control
• Native support for multiple cameras
• Switched from YAFFS to the ext4 filesystem
• An Integrated task Manager

Alongside the new platform, Google is also releasing updates to the Software Development Kit (SDK) tools (r8), Native Development Kit (NDK) and Android Development Tools (ADT) plug-in for Eclipse (8.0.0).

The new features are simplified debug builds, integrated ProGaurd support, HierarchyViewer improvements and a preview of new UI Builder.  For a few of the reviews you can go here:

Gizmodos Review - Android 2.3 Gingerbread Review: Better Than Fruitcake

Techworlds review - Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread review

Read More..

Android Simulating an Incoming call on Emulator

On windows XP, open a command console.

Type “telnet”. The telnet client starts.

Then, type, o localhost 5554

This connects the telnet client to the android emulator (assuming emulator is running locally listening on port 5554. Else this connection fails)

Now type

gsm call 123456

The last parameter could be any number.

This simulates a call to the emulator.

Read More..