1:45 PM Google's OS release 2.3 is here with NFC support, video calling, and much more

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

December 6, 2010

1 Min Read
Android Bakes Its Gingerbread

1:45 PM -- After much ado, Google (Nasdaq: GOOG)'s latest operating system release, Android 2.3, is fully baked. The update, dubbed Gingerbread, debuted today along with its lead device Nexus S, bringing with it a number of updates sure to make the lesser OSes jealous. (See Google Tries Unlocked Again With Nexus S.) Gingerbread's most notable new features include:

  • Improved game development, perhaps in preparation for the rumored Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications PlayStation phone. (See Device Watch: T-Mobile Gets Galaxy Tab Sans HSPA+.)

  • Support for tablet form factors, although Google stopped short of announcing any tablets to carry it. (See Moto Looks to Diversify, Build on Android Success.)

  • Near-field communications (NFC) support, an important update when more phones have NFC chips on board

  • Integrated voice-over-IP support for calling direct from the OS;

  • Video calling support on the new Nexus S, through its front-facing camera

  • Better power management

  • Multitouch and a faster keyboard input

  • Integrated task manager



Google elaborates on the updates in the video below:


Google said last week that 83 percent of its devices now run Android version 2.1 or 2.2, positive progress in lessening the effects of fragmentation that is now voided by Gingerbread's emergence on the scene. (See OS Watch: Samsung, King of Androids.)

But, that being said, it's easily Google's most impressive, fastest OS yet. Developers will be happy that it also comes with a new software development kit to tap the new features.

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Reporter, Light Reading Mobile

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

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