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
Dec 13, 2011
This Motorola XYBOARD 10.1 looks a little familiar, eh? It should. Take the Motorola XYBOARD 8.2 (see our hands-on), add a couple inches, and that's what you've got. It's the same redesi...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Dec 12, 2011
Back in September when it was intially announced Toshiba had stated an expected release date of December for the Toshia Thrive 7-Inch and they've managed to stick to that -- at least in Canada.
...
Article
by Richard Devine
Dec 12, 2011
A new variant of the Pope's favourite tablet, the Sony Tablet S, is now showing up for sale in the UK, the promised 3G version of Sony's Honeycomb offering.
Costing £449 an...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Dec 12, 2011
Yes, my Logitech Revue is a liar. I've been waiting patiently for the mythical Honeycomb update for my Revue for at least a month, I even got a friendly e-mail from Logitech telling me I w...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Dec 09, 2011
Oddly named Xoom 2 sells for $429 to $729
Update: Verizon now says you can get the Xyboard in stores starting Dec. 12.
Not sure if you can get them in stores yet (all signs point to no), but th...
Article
by Alex Dobie
Dec 08, 2011
Sony's Tablet S has yet to see widepsread success, but it seems one early adopter is none other than Pope Benedict XVI, who today used the device to wirelessly turn on festive lighting in Gubbio...
Article
by Richard Devine
Dec 07, 2011
Both Logitech and Google have come out this morning with statements that the hotly anticipated Google TV update is rolling out to the Revue starting today.
Revue owners have had to wait ...
Article
by Richard Devine
Dec 06, 2011
The Financial Times may have parted company with the iOS App Store, but they haven't given up on native applications completely as the financial news powerhouse brings their Android offering to ...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Dec 06, 2011
Verizon this morning officially announced it will carry the Motorola Xoom 2 and Xoom 2 Media Edition as the XYBOARD 10.1 and XYBOARD 8.2, respectively. Both tablets will launch with Android 3.2 Hone...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Dec 05, 2011
And HTC's made it official: Honeycomb indeed is rolling out to the GSM HTC Flyer in Europe. So what about the rest of us? HTC says the Wifi version of the Flyer will "receive its Honeycomb ...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Dec 05, 2011
Looks like the long wait for a Honeycomb update on the HTC Flyer is finally over, with the French version starting to get Android 3.0. Hopefully the rest of the world won't be too far behind. An...
Article
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Nov 29, 2011
Time Warner Cable has announced that its TWC app for Honeycomb tablets is now available in the Android Market. Compatible with any set-top box or DVR running the Time Warner "Navigator&qu...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Nov 27, 2011
Looks like Motorola has another one of its "projects" in the works (the Droid Bionic is in the middle of one), and this time the Xoom tablet is the intended target. The following e-mail...
Article
by Richard Devine
Nov 24, 2011
The clamshell Sony Tablet P has found its way out into the wild in the UK, bringing to market with it a hefty pricetag just a penny under £500.
The Tegra 2, dual 5.5 inch screened devic...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Nov 23, 2011
Lenovo this morning announced a pretty cool option for its Android-based ThinkPad Tablet, adding the Qualcomm Gobi 3000 chipset so you can get online on any network in the world, be it GSM or CDMA. ...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Nov 22, 2011
Samsung's just let us know that the Android 3.2 update for the Galaxy Tab 10.1 has begun to push out again. You'll recall how a couple weeks ago the initial update led to Wifi connectivity p...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Nov 22, 2011
The ASUS Transformer Prime is coming. When, we don't exactly know -- sometime in early December -- but ASUS has listed it for preorder on Amazon, and is saving you $7.79 in the process. The Tran...
Review
by Jerry Hildenbrand
Nov 15, 2011
More in the Galaxy Tab 7.0 plus forums
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is the latest Honeycomb tablet from Samsung, combining the Android 3.2 experience and the Exynos processor into a 7-inch pa...
Article
by Phil Nickinson
Nov 15, 2011
The Toshiba Thrive Android tablet has received its update to Android 3.2. In addition to the version bump, you're also getting:
Enables an improved compatibility mode enhancing the way a...
Article
by Chris Parsons
Nov 10, 2011
We've heard some runblings of a new update expected for the ASUS EeePad Transformer since the last one apparently broke a few things but there was never any mention of an ETA for it. Now is appa...
