Android 2.2 (FroYo) review

Inevitably users want or need to replace, upgrade, or change handsets. Android 2.2 introduces powerful new backup and restore features to help users migrate data from one Android handset to another via their Google account. Developers can enable their applications to backup and restore app data. So if a phone gets lost, its apps and data is recoverable (provided the apps implement these APIs). Upgrading an Android device need no longer be troublesome and aggrevating for the user, not to mention detrimental to the developer whose apps were installed on the old device. Application developers must specifically support this feature and until all apps do, some data may still be left behind

In addition to seamless backups, restores, and upgrades, IT administrators will be pleased with the new Android features for enterprise.These features enable the safe use and management of Android devices and address data security at the policy level. Some key features include the ability to create and enforce security policies (e.g. strong password requirements) as well as improved Microsoft Exchange support and tighter integration with certain applications, such as Calendar and Contacts. If the CEO’s phone gets lost, it can be locked remotely and its data wiped–disaster averted, corporate secrets protected!

With all these great new features, you may be wondering how Android 2.2 stacks up against some of the other popular mobile platforms. Dozens of different Android handsets are now shipping all over the world and platform market share continues to grow–especially at the expense of BlackBerry and Windows Mobile. While Android is still a young and emerging platform, most people see Apple mobile products running iOS (previously named iPhone OS) as the Android platform’s biggest competitior.

So how does Android 2.2 measure up with the latest iOS 4.0? In terms of feature-set, each platform has been playing a bit of catch-up, delivering features that the other platform already provided, thus neutralizing key advantages the other platform monopolized. For instance, Android added push messaging and tethering while iOS added multitasking and folders for organizing apps. Still, each platform continues to have its market differentiators. For instance, Android supports Flash, system-wide voice input, and extensive personalization mechanisms like App Widgets. On the other hand, iOS has built-in frameworks for advertising, in-app purchases, and a gaming center with leader-boards and matchmaking

Ultimately, both platforms are quite advanced, deliver tons of features to users, and are great target platforms for applications developers to build upon. Most developers will need to target both platforms for the foreseeable future if they want to reach the broadest number of customers. Which platform a user chooses is a tremendously personal one, dictated by brand loyalty, cost, detailed feature-set, and network coverage. Personally, we don’t take sides; we just use both.

In the long run, platform similarities will continue to outweigh the differences. The average user doesn’t care that the iOS store is curated and its applications tightly controlled while the Android platform is more open and runs on Linux. They will seek a device that speaks to them and delivers the features and apps they desire.

Android 2.2 is a welcome improvement for users and developers alike. By continually delivering compelling user features, improving platform performance and visual appeal and expanding the developer toolbox, the Android team will surely keep the platform at the forefront of smartphone technology. Android hardware manufacturers have to keep up, though, if all these great improvements are to reach the hands’ of consumers. Right now, this is the weak link. When will we see an Android device that fully leverages the great potential of this platform? Only time will tell.

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