We got our first look at Android 3.0 Honeycomb at CES in January 2011. Later that month, Google released the SDK preview, and we really got into the OS. Honeycomb is Google's version of Android that is specifically for large screen devices like tablets and Google TV. It remains it's own special code branch until the platform is unified by adding feature support for smartphones in Ice Cream Sandwich sometime in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Honeycomb brings a feature-rich Android experience to tablets, and ushers in a major change in the way Google controls Android. Rather than make the Honeycomb version of Android available to everyone, Google is holding OEMs to stricter hardware and software standards. Some may argue that this goes against the open philosophy we're used to from Google, but it affords them a tighter control and focuses development.
Android 3.0 highlights
- A new "holographic" user interface and interaction model -- what we've seen on the Motorola Xoom.
- UI framework for creating great apps for larger screen devices.
- High-performance 2D and 3D graphics.
- Support for multicore processor architectures.
- Rich multimedia: New multimedia features such as HTTP Live streaming support, a pluggable DRM framework, and easy media file transfer through MTP/PTP, give developers new ways to bring rich content to users.
- New types of connectivity: New APIs for Bluetooth A2DP and HSP let applications offer audio streaming and headset control. Support for Bluetooth insecure socket connection lets applications connect to simple devices that may not have a user interface.
- Enhancements for enterprise: New administrative policies, such as for encrypted storage and password expiration, help enterprise administrators manage devices more effectively.
Android 3.1 Honeycomb was announced at Google IO in May, and the Motorola Xoom started receiving updates within a day or so.
Android 3.1 highlights
- Support for the new Android Market movie rentals service with thousands of titles available for immediate viewing on the Motorola XOOM’s high-resolution display or on a larger screen via HDMI
- Full support for the final release of Adobe® Flash® Player 10.2, delivering significant performance enhancements when viewing rich Flash content on the web
- Resizable widgets to enable further customization of home screens
- Support for USB-connected peripherals and accessories, such as keyboards, mice, game controllers and digital cameras
- Expanded Bluetooth features to support Bluetooth headsets in Google Talk™ video chats and Bluetooth mouse support in addition to additional shortcut keys with the Bluetooth keyboard
- Picture Transfer Protocol Feature support to enable easier transfer of photo files to your PC without the need for drivers
More Honeycomb stories
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 22, 2011
Youtube link for mobile viewing It's been more than six months since we brought you the first look at what's now known as the Toshiba Thrive. Back in January, at CES, it was little more than a relativ...
Article
by Anndrew Vacca
Jun 22, 2011
If you're a Xoom owner here in the United States, you probably felt more than a pang of jealousy this morning when Motorola announced that the Android 3.1 update would begin rolling out to European Xo...
Article
by Alex Dobie
Jun 22, 2011
The latest version of Android for tablets has begun rolling out to Motorola Xoom owners outside of the US, according to a post on Motorola Europe's Facebook page. The new version of Honeycomb&nbs...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 21, 2011
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 reviewThe Android 3.1 tablet that needs no introduction (OK, OK, it's the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1) finds its way into Sprint's inventory on June 24. It'...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 20, 2011
Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 review Looks like the onslaught of Galaxy Tab 10.1s is about to begin. A version sporting the 850MHz and 1900MHz 3G radio bands has made its way through the FCC. That...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 19, 2011
Horseshoes, hand grenades and the Motorola Xoom LTE. That's close enough to the the Motorola Xoom 4G we told you about last week (remember that Verizon calls it "4G LTE") tha...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Jun 17, 2011
Although all across the U.S. today folks have been snapping up Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's like they are going out of style, those of us who live in Canada aren't quite there yet. However, we're not tha...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 17, 2011
You've got to be careful when you see unannounced devices in promo videos. It's as likely as not that what you see may just be some sort of mock-up, rather than some upcoming production device. But i...
Article
by Menno
Jun 17, 2011
Good morning Android Central readers! Today, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available. The Tab had a special launch event in NYC last week, but it's finally available online and at Best Buy and ...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Jun 17, 2011
When it comes to software and hardware, I've always been under the firm belief that if it can be built -- it can also be torn down and that's exactly what has happened to the Acer Iconia A500 tablet.O...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Jun 17, 2011
We'd been hearing some reports of Motorola Xoom wifi only tablet owners seeing the Google Videos app in the Android Market, but now we're also hearing that the actual market tab for movie rentals has ...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Jun 13, 2011
Update 2: It's back, folks! Get to downloading.Swype has announced the latest beta (version 3.0 for those keeping score at home) and one of the big changes that come along with it is a speci...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Jun 13, 2011
The latest Honeycomb powered tablet to be announced, the Toshiba Thrive, is now up for pre-order at Office Depot. While the date is listed only as "coming soon" (we were told mid July)...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Jun 12, 2011
Youtube link for mobile viewingThis is just the beginning, folks. With the addition of the USB host capability in Android 3.1, we're about to see an onslaught of cool peripherals for Android...
Article
by Alex Dobie
Jun 09, 2011
Asus is following up its popular EeePad Transformer tablet with the EeePad Slider and EeePad Transformer 3G, which will both launch in the UK this August, according to a post on the manufac...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Jun 09, 2011
Not being left behind in all the Samsung Canada love, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be making its way to Canadian carriers in addition to the Samsung Galaxy S II. Samsung will start off with the Wi...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Jun 09, 2011
The 3.1 Honeycomb update for the Google I/O edition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is now live and ready to download. If you're one of the lucky 5,000 who has one of these, you can grab it now f...
Article
by Sean Brunett
Jun 08, 2011
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (see our review of the special IO edition) launches today, but you'll only be able to get one if you're in New York City. The Best Buy at Union Square has a 10-day exclusiv...
Article
by Alex Dobie
Jun 08, 2011
Vodafone UK has announced that it's abandoning its plans to offer the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1v, instead opting sell its slimmer, lighter sibling -- the "new" Galaxy Tab 10.1.Confu...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Jun 07, 2011
Are you among the many planning on hitting the Best Buy's Union Square location in New York to grab a WiFi Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1? If so, the schedule for the event is now available and if you have ...
