The busy beehive at Google has paused the distribution of its seminal Open Source Android (version 3.0) meant exclusively for the
new generation of tablets. Called Honeycomb, the Android (3.0) saw fans going gaga over the high capability when it moves to new tablets and eventually to Smartphones as well.
The Honeycomb so far..
The Motorola Xoom is right now the only available tablet on Honeycomb and is definitely different from its earlier versions of Androids. The Froyo and the Gingerbread are not simply upgraded here, but is built “ground-up” to quote Android chief Andy Rubin.
There are no button-run interfaces but simple icons that entirely do away with the menu-key etc. In-apps are foreground action bars that are simple to access. Simple additions and customization for widgets, wallpaper is done, through the home screen configuration tool. The on-screen icon, again, makes configuration simple. Therefore, most times this is one true intuitive Operating System. ‘Render Script’ is the graphics engine running the show, with powerful true-life display, animations and effects. There are simple but subtle features like a blue trail for objects being repositioned on the home screen.
True Honeycomb feature
But that one feature that has prompted a run-away version and not simply retooled Android is the multi-pane scenario for apps. Called ‘fragments’ one pane at a time can be worked up without requiring multiple menus to be opened. Much like multi-tasking, one live pane can be simultaneously open while you browse through different panes running different apps. The intra-app multitasking is a emerging technology and most are awaited with bated breath for this feature, as well as the other better performing features for their Smartphones as well.
This multi-apps feature will soon redefine the small screen real estate space since screen space is a premium and endless open windows are surely going to work against the application capabilities. Multi-apps are what small screen devices and most essentially Smartphones require as mobile apps are going to the next level of usage and greater capabilities are required for future devices.
Why is this honeycomb structure so vital?
The trade-off, for smaller handheld devices but with optimum features of wide-screen devices, is a very thin line and newer generation of the smaller devices need that power of multi tasking apps. Google appreciates this need and has introduced the Honeycomb meet those requirements. However, there seems to be a hitch in the Google Beehive as they feel the Honeycomb is not entirely ready for deployment on Smartphones and similar devices.
The future of small screen device OS is definitely Honeycomb
Google definitely has the right ingredients to make the most delicious multi-app features and the visual components of Honeycomb are surely going to reach almost all types of devices within a couple of months of its release.
This pause in distribution has truly heightened the anticipation as Android user’s appetite has been whetted. The possibilities of features are so vast- the honeycomb could go either ways. Multiple ‘profiles’ for tablets as well as Smartphones or a dedicated edition of Android OS only for phones are some of the other options.
Honeycomb once launched will surely be the saccharine that all smart devices will soon adopt!
