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Google Releases the SDK For Version 1.6 of Android

Posted by timothy on from the equivalent-to-which-nexus-model? dept.

Qwavel writes "This release includes improvements to the Android Market, the Search Framework, and Text-to-Speech. It now has support for more screen resolutions and CDMA phones. Android 1.6 is based on v2.6.29 of the Linux kernel and is expected in phones that will be available next month. The mystery of Android 1.6, however, is Google's continued unwillingness to commit to a Bluetooth API and any Bluetooth functionality beyond the basic audio functions."

4 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Why the hate towards bt? by toopok4k3 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Google doesn't seem to like bluetooth. But why? I don't see them making a new solution for short range wireless communications.

    1. Re:Why the hate towards bt? by Qwavel · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you want to create a peripheral or software that works with the Bluetooth of the iPhone or the iPod (excepting the basic audio peripherals) you have to apply for Apple's "Made for iPod Licensing" program.
      http://developer.apple.com/ipod/apply.html

      If you need a Bluetooth chipset supporting the Apple protocols you can buy them from CSR.
      http://www.embeddedstar.com/weblog/2009/07/28/csr-ipod-touch/

      If Apple can achieve the sort of dominance in the consumer smartphone market that they have achieved with their iPods then this will pay off very well for them. They will make money from licensing and other companies phones won't be able to communicate with iPhones/iPods.

      On the other hand, whether they are successful or not, this is bad for their users. This being /. I probably don't have to explain why standards are good.

      At this time, if you want to e.g. sell a Bluetooth garage door opener for smartphones (yes, this really exists) you could support it on RIM, Nokia, MS, and even some LG and Samsung phones. I hope that Android phones join this camp.

      I'm interested to see some of the things that people will do with Bluetooth now that the quality of the hardware and software support is getting good enough (it wasn't good enough on a lot of the older phones). It would be sad if the lure of proprietary were to curtail the potential of Bluetooth.

  2. Why is it? by Darkness404 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why is it that Android (and other cell phones) seem to have some obvious feature left out that developers are unwilling to fix? And usually they aren't "this will take years of R&D and some genius to realize we left it out" but blindingly obvious features. Why isn't Android embracing Bluetooth? I can think of a lot of good reasons for it, for one would be P2P networks for gaming, file sharing, etc. Or perhaps a feature that would let you use text messages and MMS over Bluetooth rather than using the cell network. If there was a phone with the openness of Android/WebOS, the polish of the iPhone, the large amount of networks like the BlackBerry, all in one phone it would sell like crazy. Instead they leave out important features and make phones that are decent, but not great.

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  3. I'd rather have an N900 by levell · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Android (and Palm's new WebOS) phones seem fairly cool but I'd rather use a phone that had more of the normal Linux userland. The FreeRunner still has lots of very rough edges but the new Nokia N900 with Maemo 5 looks really mouth-watering

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