- MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA - Although it is not clear which smartphone will run on it first, Google has confirmed that Android 3.0 Gingerbread is set for a October release.
Most users of this operating system are currently awaiting for their Android 2.2 Froyo upgrade, which should become available shortly, depending on how good the relation is between search giant Google and the phone's maker. For Samsung and HTC, Google delivers promptly, but for Sony Ericsson users, the wait can last for months.
The upcoming Android 3.0 version has quite a tight specifications list, mostly limited to high-end smartphones. The list of requirements is presented with a recommended 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM, and a 3.5" touchscreen display.
At this point in time, Google has become careful on what concerns to fragmentation - the separation of Android versions to such an extent that apps do not work on different versions. From Android 2.2, this should be fixed.
Rumours suggested that Google would be revamping the system's user interface, blocking third-party UIs from manufacturers. This is unlikely to happen, as HTC with its Sense UI and Samsung with its TouchWIZ both rely on a custom interface for branding purposes.
Google Music, a possible future competitor to Apple's iTunes, may be incorporated onto Gingerbread, as a solution to further milk Android users' money.
Although news about new versions of Google Android are published daily, many users are frustrated with the delay in having the software upgrades in their devices. The Mountain View company will have to address this issue, or avoid publishing news about new versions until they are fully-ready for release.
Image courtesy of Danny Sullivan
