G1 News

Google’s Android platform has spread with virus-like rapidity and version 2.2 is almost upon us, already. Codenamed FroYo (that’s Frozen Yoghurt – Google persisting in their food-related naming convention) Android 2.2 adds tethering, faster speeds, WiFi hotspot support and a whole host of other improvements that suggest Google has no plans to slow their pace.

According to Google, the Android 2.2. up date will be available later this year (Q4) and among the highlights that users can expect are the following improvements:

1. Faster Speeds – According to Google, Android 2.2. is up to five times faster than previous iterations.

2. Tethering – The hot rumour that 2.2 would allow you to use your mobile phone as a WiFi hotspot is confirmed as true! It’s still unclear whether Google will be charging for support services, however.

3. Flash Support – Android 2.2. is the first version of Android that can support all forms of Adobe Flash, so Android users get to enjoy the very best that the web has to offer. Thankfully, Adobe has a solid relationship with Adobe, which is more than can be said for Apple!

4. Apps on your SD Card –FroYo allows you to install Apps direct to your SD card, saving you precious space on your internal memory capacity.

5. Microsoft Exchange Support. In all the kerfuffle, it seems that many commentators have overlooked this super-useful addition to Android, which is sure to endear it to the business community who tend to use Microsoft packages.

What does all this leave other open-sourced platforms, Bada, for instance? Just ahead of the Bada launch, Samsung’s new platform is looking pale in comparison to the updates that Google has planned. Sure, the Samsung Wave deals some decent features to the affordable smart phone market, but surely nothing can stand in front of the lean, mean Android machine?