Google today announced its first significant update to Android 3.0 Honeycomb. Google will roll out the update to Verizon Xoom 3G users today, and to other Honeycomb devices over the next couple of weeks.
Offering the following features for users and developers:-
Open Accessory API. This new API provides a way for Android applications to integrate and interact with a wide range of accessories such as musical equipment, exercise equipment, robotics systems, and many others.
USB host API. On devices that support USB host mode, applications can now manage connected USB peripherals such as audio devices. input devices, communications devices, and more.
Input from mice, joysticks, and game pads. Android 3.1 extends the input event system to support a variety of new input sources and motion events such as from mice, trackballs, joysticks, gamepads, and others.
Re sizable Home screen widgets. Developers can now create Home screen widgets that are resizeable horizontally, vertically, or both.
Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) Applications can now receive notifications when external cameras are attached and removed, manage files and storage on those devices, and transfer files and metadata to and from them.
Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) API for audio. Developers can directly manage on-demand or interactive data streaming to enable VOIP, push-to-talk, conferencing, and audio streaming.
Google also revealed that Honeycomb 3.1 will roll out to Google TV. Current Google TV devices should expect to receive the OTA update this summer with the inclusion of the Android Market.
Honeycomb 3.1 may not seem like a huge step forward, but the enhancements Google is pushing out should push the platform forward, making it a stronger competitor with other players.
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