Android 2.1 (Eclair) vs Android 2.2 (Froyo) | Compare Android 2.1 vs 2.2
Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.2 (Froyo) are the two popular Android platforms for mobile phones. Android 2.1 and Android 2.2 together have the largest share in the mobile market. Android 2.1 and Android 2.2 can run on any compatible device, not tied up with any specific mobile phone makers or carriers. Android OS is an open source platform based upon a modified version of the Linux kernel. As such, any mobile phone maker can take Android 2.1 and Android 2.2 and modify the platforms to differentiate their product.
Android Operating system was ruling the smartphone market in 2010 from a very modest 2.8% market share in mid 2009. Almost all the phones released in January 2011 were Android’s.Android’s growth is tremendous within a short span of time. Android 1.0 was released on 23 September 2008, following year saw many upgrades like 1.1, 1.5(cupcake), 1.6 (Donut), and 2.0 in December 2009. The Android 2.1 that was released to the market with a code name Eclair in January 2010 was a minor upgrade to Android 2.0 like new API changes and bug fixes. 2010 saw three updates in Android OS, Android 2.1 in January 2010, Android 2.2 in May 2010 and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) in December.
Android 2.1 included the basic features needed for a smartphone and Android 2.2 improved on it and added more functions. Android 2.2 included some new user features, developer features, API changes (API level 8), and bug fixes. The major differences between Android 2.1 and 2.2 are the support for extra high DPI screens (320dpi), such as 4″ 720p, USB tethering, Wi-Fi hotspot, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, integration of Chrome V8, speed enhancement and performance optimization.
According to early 2011 market report, Android 2.1 still holds 35.2% of the whole Android usage,while Android 2.2 having the largest 51.8% share and the newly added Android 2.3 with 0.4% share.
Android 2.1 (Froyo)
The well known Android 2.1 (Eclair) is a version upgrade from Android 2.0 with minor changes on API and bugs fixed.
| The new features of Android 2.1 as follows:
1. Screen support for low density small screens QVGA (240×320) to high density, normal screens WVGA800 (480×800) and WVGA854 (480×854) 2.Instant access to a contact’s information and communication modes. You can tap a contact photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person. 3. Universal Account – Combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page and all contact can be synchronized, including Exchange accounts. 4. Search feature for all saved SMS and MMS messages. Auto delete the oldest messages in a conversation when a defined limit is reached. 5. Improvement on camera – Built-in flash support, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect, macro focus 6. Improved virtual keyboard layout for accurate character hits and improve typing speed. Virtual keys for HOME, MENU, BACK, and SEARCH, rather than physical keys. 7. Dynamic dictionary that learns from word usage and automatically includes contact names as suggestions. 8. Enhanced browser – the new UI with actionable browser URL bar enables users to directly tap the address bar for instant searches and navigation, bookmarks with web page thumbnails, support for double-tap zoom and support for HTML5: 9. Improved calendar – agenda view provides infinite scrolling, from the contact look up list you can invite for event and view attending status 10. Revamped graphics architecture for improved performance that enables better hardware acceleration. 11. Support Bluetooth 2.1 12. Improved Google Maps 3.1.2 13. Live Wallpapers . |
| Android 2.1 Devices
Android 2.1 3G Phones Samsung Mesmerize, Samsung Showcase, Samsung Fascinate, Samsung Gem (CDMA), Samsung Transform, Samsung Intercept, Galaxy Europa, Galaxy Apollo, Galaxy S, HTC Gratia, HTC Droid Incredible, HTC Wildfire, HTC Desire, HTC Legend, Motorola Droid X, Motorola Droid, Motorola Bravo, Motorola Flipside, Motorola Flipout, Motorola Citrus, Motorola Defy, Motorola Charm Android 2.1 4G Phones Samsung Epic 4G, HTC Evo 4G |
Android 2.0 Official Video
| Difference between Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.2 (Froyo)
For Users 1. Tips Widget – the new tips widget at the home screen provide support to users to configure home screen and add new widgets. 2. Exchange Calendars are now supported in the Calendar application. 3. Easy set up and sync an Exchange account, you just have to enter your user-name and password 4. In composing an email, users can now auto-complete recipient names from the directory with the global address list look up feature. 5. Onscreen buttons give easy access to UI to control camera features such as zoom, focus, flash, etc. 6. Wi-Fi hotspot and USB tethering 7. Multiple language recognition simultaneously 8. Enhance browser performance using Chrome V8 engine, which enhance faster loading of pages, more than 3, 4 times compared to Android 2.1 9. Better memory management, you can experience smooth multi tasking even on memory constrained devices. 10. New media framework supports local file playback and HTTP progressive streaming. 11. Support applications over Bluetooth such as voice dialling, share contacts with other phones, Bluetooth enabled car kits and headsets. |
| For Network Providers
12. Improved security with numeric pin or alpha-numeric password options to unlock device. 13. Remote Wipe – remotely reset the device to factory defaults to secure data in case device is lost or stolen. |
| For Developers
14. Applications can now request installation on the shared external storage (such as an SD card). 15. Apps can utilize Android Cloud to Device Messaging to enable mobile alert, send to phone, and two-way push sync functionality. 16. New bug reporting feature for Android Market apps enables developers to receive crash and freeze reports from their users. 17. Provides new APIs for audio focus, routing audio to SCO, and auto-scan of files to media database. Also provides APIs to let applications detect completion of sound loading and auto-pause and auto-resume audio playback. 18. Camera supports portrait orientation, zoom controls, access to exposure data, and a thumbnail utility. A new camcorder profile enables apps to determine device hardware capabilities. 19. New APIs for OpenGL ES 2.0, working with YUV image format, and ETC1 for texture compression. 20. New “car mode” and “night mode” controls and configurations allow applications to adjust their UI for these situations. 21. A scale gesture detector API provides improved definition of multi-touch events. 22. Applications can customize the bottom strip of a TabWidget. |
| Android 2.2 Devices
Android 2.2 3G Phones Samsung Captivate, Samsung Vibrant, Samsung Acclaim, Samsung Galaxy Indulge, Galaxy Mini, Galaxy Ace, Samsung Galaxy 551, Samsung Galaxy 580, Galaxy 5. HTC T-Mobile G2, HTC Merge, HTC Wildfire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire Z, HTC Incredible S, HTC Aria, Motorola Droid Pro, Motorola Droid 2, Motorola CLIQ 2, Motorola Droid 2 Global, LG Optimus S, LG Optimus T, LG Optimus 2X, LG Optimus One, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Android 2.2 4G Phones Samsung Vibrant 4G, Samsung Galaxy S 4G, HTC Inspire 4G, HTC Evo Shift 4G, HTC Thunderbolt, HTC T-Mobile myTouch 4G, Motorola Atrix 4G Android 2.2 Tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab |
Android 2.2 Official Video
Related Links
- Difference Between Open Source Android Operating System (OS) Versions
- Difference Between Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.2 (Froyo)
- Difference Between Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
- Difference Between Android 2.3 and 2.3.3
- Difference Between Android 2.2 (Froyo) and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) for Tablets
- Difference Between Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) for Tablet
- Difference Between Android 2.3 Gingerbread and Android Ice Cream
- Difference Between Android 2.3 and Android 2.4