Android 2.3 Gingerbread expected in the next few days

(PhysOrg.com) -- While Google hasn't made any official announcements on the release date for Android 2.3 several clues online over the weekend point to an imminent release of Gingerbread. This may have to do with the timing of iOS 4.2 which is set to release this week.

Alvaro Fuentes Vasquez, a leader at the OHA organization that oversees development of Google's Android platform, sent the follow tweet over the weekend: "Prepare your Nexus One (Developer Version) for Android OTA update 2.3 (Gingerbread) for the next few days."

It appears that the developers running the official developer handset, the Nexus One, will be the first to see their devices updated with Gingerbread. A few days after that, the build may get released to the general public who own a Nexus One. There has been no clarification on whether all Android 2.2 owners will get upgraded to Gingerbread or if it will start with Nexus One.

The release of Gingerbread doesn't mean that more powerful hardware is needed, as new features or optimizations can benefit users with existing handsets.

Some of the rumored and/or expected changes include:

• Big noticeable change to the OS is that the graphics and icons have been refreshed giving the application icons a more uniform appearance.

• Large translucent icon place holders that will eventually be small for app menu. Customizable icon colors that are very vibrant and really changes the whole app UI. The refreshed UI also introduces motion scrolling to longer menus and adds animations.

• SIP support to the native Google Voice application for Android that will make it possible to receive calls to your Google Voice number via Wi-Fi or 3G. This functionality may be only for Gingerbread and future releases.

• The default media player would support more codecs by default at the OS Level and Google Music Service should be unveiled along with Android 2.3 as well as a separate market place for games are also expected with the new OS release.

• Refreshed Android Market Web Site (for over-the-air app & music download)

• Video Chat is gaining importance following Apple’s deployment of Face Time.

• Social Network Enhancement and improvements of the core functionality like copy and paste to make it comparable with iOS.

• WebM and WebP support in the browser (Open Standard Declaration)

• Support for Google TV and bigger screen sizes up to a resolution of 1366×768.

The OS update may be provided to Android developer handsets as early as this Thursday, November 11. Google’s last update to Android was the May release of Android 2.2 (Froyo).