Android Phone 3.0 - Feature List

Android Phone 3.0 (new release coming soon) - feature list: details

Integrated social media, all in one place

Social Media services such as Facebook and Twitter have widgets on Android Phone, which allow you to do all the usual tasks from your phone. They are not integrated, but you get to keep the full functionality of each service within each widget.

Automatic collation of all contact details

Contacts can be added from Facebook, Twitter and Email accounts on setup, but from then on are managed from within the widget.

Inbuilt music player

No inbuilt system for playing music, but syncing systems are available for android, such as mediamonkey.

Radio

Radio streaming apps available.

Camera (with flash)

Most handsets will have a 5 megapixel camera, with flash. Some will have 2 way cameras for video calls.

Pictures

Photos are displayed in stacks in the gallery and can be explored using simple gestures. The default gallery app can of course be replaced by a number of other gallery apps if required.

Multiple email accounts directed to the same inbox

Allows for multiple accounts and a combined inbox. Easily works with Exchange accounts and offers improved security with the addition of pin and password options, as well as the remote wipe feature should your phone fall into the wrong hands. Exchange auto-discovery and Global Address List look up are available

Email

Works well with all common email providers. Easy to set up with Exchange accounts and  offers improved security with the addition of pin and password options, as well as the remote wipe feature should your phone fall into the wrong hands. Exchange auto-discovery and Global Address List look up are available.

Calendar syncing (Google / Exchange)

Happily syncs with multiple Google and Exchange Calendars.

Internet browsing

Super fast, uses the V8 JavaScript Engine as used by Google Chrome.

Maps with local, useful information

Uses Google maps, satellite or map view, can use compass to rotate map in relation to direction of travel. Offers routes for cars, pedestrians or public transport.  Other map/sat nav apps available. Can also perform a local search in Google to find services and places nearby.

Office applications pre-installed

Ability to download a range of office apps, some of which will integrate with MS Office. None supplied as default.

Application multitasking

Yes - the multitasking has been designed natively from the start so there are no issues. Offers full multitasking for all apps.

Copy and paste

Yes

Non-disruptive new message alerts

New messages/mail are usually indicated by the LED indicator which will flash different colours. Again, this is all user configurable, so if you want it to play music, vibrate or do any number of other things to let you know you have a message, there will be a way. Likewise if you would rather have no fuss at all, then it's possible to set the alerts to silent. New messages are usually listed on the top bar, alongside battery and signal info.

Flash compatibility

Yes

HTML5 compatibility

Yes

Preview info on the homepage

The home page will be fully user configurable, although we do not yet know if previews will be available.

Updating/Syncing

Being open source, there are a range of programs available to sync your Android phone with your PC or Mac. You can choose from business focused syncing (for emails, contacts etc) or entertainment (media syncing).

User interface

3.0 is designed to be a user experience improvement on 2.2, removing the need for manufacturers to install their own UI in addition to Android. This should make the user experience more intuitive and speedier. Not yet sure if the new version will fix the need to download an app to be able to close apps, but we expect so!

The OS is very user configurable with multiple home screens which can be configured with apps and shortcuts.  

Navigation

Home button, back button, and power button as standard. Many apps are available and the start screen is highly configurable.

Settings

Global 'Settings' menu allows you to change settings for any application.

Games

Runs games well due to fast processors and graphics. Minimum specs also guarantee a good gaming performance. Games are available to download from various online sources.

Marketplace / App Store

There is an Android Market - however as the platform is entirely open source android users are free to download apps from any website they choose. Search 'Featured', 'Top Free' and 'Top Paid' by category.