Android 3.0 Sample Tablets Available by Dec. '10

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If these rumors are to be believed Android 3.0 is all but finished and we'll see tablets running the OS at the beginning of January.

We already know that Android 3.0, AKA Gingerbread, is supposed to hit before the year is out, but other than that, we don't know much else. This week Phandroid changed all that, revealing that users can expect built-in support for video calling; increased speed; a cleaner, greener (in color) UI; improvements to Google Apps, which should make them feel more like an extension of the OS rather than just apps; and the Google Voice app is getting SIP support so you can receive calls to your Google Voice number over WiFi and cellular data.

That all sounds very wonderful, but Phandroid's sources gave no indication as to when we would actually see Gingerbread. However, Digitimes seems to believe Gingerbread samples will hit by December.

The Taiwan-based site today cites sources from notebook vendors who say Google has notified its partners that Android 3.0 will be finished and engineer sample tablets will show up in December. It's with this time frame in mind that several major electronics manufacturers are planning to launch their Android 3.0 tablets at CES 2011, in January. According to Digitimes we'll see Android 3.0 devices from Acer, Asus, MSI, HTC and Motorola. Also expected to make an appearance is an Android 3.0-updated Galaxy Tab from Samsung.

That's all they had to say about Android 3.0, but they also mentioned that Android 4.0 (Ice Cream) would hit in the second half of 2011, something we didn’t know before. Digitimes sources say they think the OS will be able to gradually increase its marketshare in the tablet market once Android 3.0 is launched.

Source: Digitimes, Phandroid

Jane McEntegart
13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ares1214
    Good job Android. From the many smartphones ive used, Android has been the best. Blackberry and IOS are a bit too locked down, W6.1 and 6.5 were bad, 7 doesnt look horrid, but havent used it, but android has always been the best, for me atleast. Has been getting the best phones lately too. Really gaining speed in the market.
    Reply
  • kelemvor4
    Sounds good. Are android betas not publicly available?
    Reply
  • mman74
    My only concern is how many of the devices currently running Android now will be able to move to 3.0. Updating the OS regularly is a good thing, but not if a large part of your user-base get's left behind. I am currently running the Nexus One and I would like to think I am covered but there were a number of users who couldn't move to Froyo!
    Reply
  • dEAne
    This is good I like to see what other things this version 3.0 can do.
    Reply
  • g-thor
    I am thrilled to see Android continuing to grow. I am also wondering if my phone (HTC Magic) will be able to keep up and if the manufacturer will port it to my hardware, or if they're too busy with the new stuff to look back on those who started early on.

    Trouble is, I'm an eternal optimist - if they don't explicitly say no, I keep hoping.
    Reply
  • JOSHSKORN
    Sweet! So I'll upgrade my phone in the 2nd half of 2011. That works for me.
    Reply
  • sudeshc
    Its quite uncertain but as i have read it seems that Android 3.0 has strict hard ware requirements and most of low end devices might not support the upgrade.
    Hope that this doesn't happens and all devices could get upgrade.
    Reply
  • descendency
    The Nexus One needs this on November or sooner.
    Reply
  • descendency
    mman74My only concern is how many of the devices currently running Android now will be able to move to 3.0. Updating the OS regularly is a good thing, but not if a large part of your user-base get's left behind. I am currently running the Nexus One and I would like to think I am covered but there were a number of users who couldn't move to Froyo!The N1 will get Gingerbread. It's the internal development phone.
    Reply
  • o0RaidR0o
    ares1214Good job Android. From the many smartphones ive used, Android has been the best. Blackberry and IOS are a bit too locked down, W6.1 and 6.5 were bad, 7 doesnt look horrid, but havent used it, but android has always been the best, for me atleast. Has been getting the best phones lately too. Really gaining speed in the market.Actually WM6.5 isn't bad just underpowered. Albeit I use a custom WM6.5 rom myself. To be honest if I could buy a W7 phone and flash it with custom 6.5 rom that would make me smile.
    Reply