New features and changes in Android 2.2 (Froyo) update for HTC EVO
If you don't really follow the general Android scene, then you may be wondering why so many people are making a fuss over the Froyo update for the HTC EVO. It's the latest version of the mobile operating system, yes, but what's so good about it and what will it do for the phone?
Sprint will begin rolling out the Android 2.2 update in waves beginning tomorrow and running through the middle of the month, so if you haven't already served yourself a helping of Froyo, then you might like to know exactly what kinds of treats your EVO can expect.
Based on the previously published release notes, known details about 2.2, first-hand experience from manually applying the update, and feedback in the comments and across the web, I've compiled a list of all the new features and changes in the update. With your help over the next few days/weeks, I think we can easily make it a definitive list of every single improvement and tweak that Froyo brings to the HTC EVO.
Note that the EVO doesn't get all of the standard 2.2 enhancements because of its Sense UI. Froyo's free WiFi hotspot is also not included because the EVO's existing Sprint hotspot is a paid service.
Performance
- 2 to 5 times faster than Android 2.1
- Faster, more powerful browser
- Smoother scrolling
- Faster app switching
- Overall improvement in responsiveness
- 4G speed improvement
- 720p video recording improvement
- Faster GPS triangulation in Sprint Navigation
Features
- Long pressing Home button shows 8 recent apps (instead of 6)
- Adobe Flash 10.1
- Google search (widget and bar) options: Web, Apps, All
- Camera flash accessible to Camcorder
- Left and right landscape mode
- 4-way camera orientation
- Free apps can be shared
- Send contact as vCard via SMS
- Larger Message compose window with Attach button
- Message count badge
- MMS slideshow editor
- Exchange support with improved security, remote wipe, auto-discovery, global address lists look-up, lock screen timeout, and calendar sync
- Facebook events and birthdays appear in Calendar
- Unknown Facebook users can be added to Friend Stream
- Local search in Friend Stream
- Facebook comments in Gallery
- Numeric and alphanumeric password locks
- Adjustable alarm volume
- Voice dialing and contact sharing over Bluetooth
- Store apps on microSD card
- Forward/Back arrows in Gmail message
- Multiple Gmail calendars
- Copy-paste in Gmail app
- Install .apk files directly from Gmail
- Stock keyboard supports multitouch
- Native H.264 video support
Android Market
- "Update All" button
- Automatic updating option
- App comments/reviews appear in their own tab
Apps (developer-controlled)
- Installable on microSD card
- Android Cloud to Device Messaging for mobile alert, send to phone, and two-way push sync functionality
- Bug reporting for users to send crash reports to devs
- Data backup and restore
Settings
- Sound and Display settings are separated
- Dock setting
- Voice input & output setting
- "Move to SD card" in Applications -> Manage Applications
- Tabs in Manage Applications: Downloaded, Running, All, On SD card
- Different lock options in Security setting
- "Lock phone after" setting
New Apps/Widgets
- Flashlight
- App Sharing
- Car Panel
- Calculator, FM radio, Profile, Ringtone, and Message widgets
UI/Cosmetic
- Enhanced 3G icon
- Redesigned Gtalk interface
- New UI for FM radio
- 3D "waving" Android mascot with incoming calls
Anything else you've noticed on your EVO that should be added to this list?
