At the Google I/O developer conference today in San Francisco, the search giant unveiled Android 2.2, codenamed Froyo. The new version introduces some impressive performance improvements and much-needed feature enhancements.

Vic Gundotra, Google VP of engineering, discussed Android's progress and introduced the new version of the platform during a keynote presentation on the second day of the event. In the past 18 months, Android has attracted 21 hardware makers and 60 carriers in 40 countries. There are now over 60 compatible Android devices, which are rapidly increasing in popularity. Google says that over 100,000 new Android devices are activated every day.

Android is a Java-based platform, but it uses its own custom runtime engine and bytecode format. Unlike the conventional JRE, Android's Java runtime is basically an interpreter—it just executes the bytecode. One of the most significant improvements in Froyo is the introduction of a just-in-time (JIT) compilation engine that will allow the runtime to translate bytecode into native code at runtime.

The introduction of a JIT will bring a massive performance boost, increasing application execution speed by up to five times. This will improve the general responsiveness of the platform and allow application developers to build more computationally intensive software.

Another area where Google has made major investments in performance is the Android Web browser. The company has brought its recent optimization work on the V8 JavaScript engine to Froyo, leading to a 3x speedup. The company contends that Froyo has the "world's fastest mobile browser." To back up this claim, Google conducted a demo during the keynote which showed a Froyo-powered Nexus One crushing the iPad in a SunSpider JavaScript benchmark.

Enterprise, cloud, and tethering

In addition to performance improvements, Android has also gained a number of impressive new features. In an effort to boost Android's competitiveness in the business market, Google has added some enterprise-specific enhancements, including broad support for Microsoft exchange. Another major addition is a new data backup API for third-party applications, which will make it easier for users to keep all of their application data when they move to a new device.

The early Android previews had an XMPP-based push messaging framework, but it was cut during the beta test period due to reliability issues and was not present in version 1.0. Google has finally filled that hole in Froyo with a new cloud messaging API. The new cloud messaging service doesn't just push notifications, however. Third-party applications can transmit Android "Intents" to a device, meaning that the push messages can be used to activate applications and populate them with certain data.

Sending a map to an Android 2.2 phone

During a demo of the cloud messaging feature, Google showed how it can be used to push directions from Google Maps in Chrome on a desktop computer directly onto an Android device. The Android map application on the handset opened and displayed the same directions that the user was viewing in the browser on the desktop.

Android 2.2 turns your phone into a WiFi hotspot

Another compelling new feature in Froyo is support for wireless tethering. It will be possible to use an Android handset as a WiFi hotspot, making its 3G connectivity available to other devices. During the keynote, Google demoed the feature by showing how to make an iPad connect to the Internet through a Nexus One.

An open platform

During the entire keynote presentation, Google stressed the openness of the Android platform and emphasized its technical advantages relative to Apple's iPhone. Attitude towards browser plugins is one major area where the platforms differ. Google says that Adobe's Flash player and AIR runtime will be fully supported on Froyo. Supporting Flash was an easy choice, said Gundrota, because Android is an inclusive platform and Google is committed to having the most comprehensive browsing experience.

Opportunities in mobile advertising were a major factor that compelled Google to enter the phone space. The company is starting to take advantage of those opportunities by rolling out an experimental new mobile advertising platform. This will allow companies to reach mobile consumers and will also give application developers a convenient way to monetize their software.

During the keynote, Google showed several different kinds of mobile advertisements that companies can buy. One impressive feature is click-to-call, which allows advertisers to give users an easy way to call a phone number related to the advertisement. There are also location-aware features, such as a built-in map that will show the user where they can buy a product. Google envisions interactive rich advertising that brings value to consumers.

More love for apps

Application management has typically been a weak area for Android. One of the biggest failings of the platform is that it heavily limits the amount of storage space that can be used for applications. Google has rectified this problem in Froyo by adding support for storing applications on an SD card—a feature that was previously only available to users running hacked firmware.

Updating multiple apps at once

Google has made some very significant improvements to the application marketplace, particularly in the area of update handling. In Froyo, the marketplace has gained a much-needed "Update All" button, which will finally eliminate the painful chore of updating applications individually. Users will also be able to optionally enable automatic updates for certain applications.

Google has some even more compelling features planned for application management in future versions. The company demoed a Web-based interface to the app marketplace that is designed to be accessed in a Web browser on a desktop computer. When the user selects an application to install through the Web interface, it will automatically download on the user's selected device. This will simplify application installation and discoverability. It's easier than using the bar codes that are commonly used today on Web-based application indexes.

Google also aims to sell music through the same Web-based store. When the user purchases a song, they will be able to have it automatically download on their device. Similarly, Google is building a media synchronization framework based on technology acquired from Simplify Media. It will allow users to easily access their home music collection from their Android device. Look for coverage on Ars later today.

Android has matured considerably over the past year. The operating system has gained a richer assortment of third-party applications and many new capabilities. The latest improvements that Google is pushing in Froyo add a lot more power and sophistication to the platform.

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