Why Android 2.3 kicks ass
The first device offering the latest and greatest version of Google's Android OS (2.3, Gingerbread), the Nexus S, went on sale before Christmas. The device was eagerly snapped up by an increasingly savvy public and with updates planned for many of the leading smartphones, we felt it time to dig a little and unearth the finer points of upgrading to Android Gingerbread.
Improved UI
Android 2.3 has been given a makeover by Google and now looks sharper and more modern than ever. Gone are the boring, monochrome colours that made the older versions feel antique and in their place we're presented with a tasteful, muted colour scheme that exudes class. Icons, keyboard and menus have received a wash and brush-up as well, and have been re-organised with a careful hand to make the OS eminently more usable than previous iterations.
Tailored for gaming
This latest version of Google's operating system has been overhauled with mobile gaming in mind and a number of changes have been implemented beneath the service to give game manufacturers the chance to wring every ounce of potential out of increasingly powerful mobile devices. Your Gingerbread-powered mobile will soon ably replace your dedicated handheld console, saving you time and money, not to mention the effort of lugging different electronics around!
Android in fast-forward
Owing to a huge number of improvements and speed-enhancements your mobile will run noticeably quicker with Gingerbread on-board. Whenever a new revision of Android hits the streets, people remark how much faster it feels than the previous one – and this goes double for 2.3.
Internet Calling
Users can now make full use of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) integration in this latest firmware release, allowing you to enter a VoIP address into your device for each of your contacts, so that they can be contacted with an internet call rather than a potentially costly call over your chosen network. If you're on a truly unlimited data package this feature will allow you to save a fortune!
Advanced Power Management
One complaint that is often levelled at expensive smartphones is their ability to gobble up an entire battery in relatively short order. This has been addressed in the Android 2.3 and Google has implemented a number of power management improvements, including an advanced task manager, out of the box. Expect your Gingerbread powered device to last longer, much longer.
Near Field Communication
Google has future-proofed its operating system by including support for NFC. Future devices will be empowered by Near Field Communication chips, allowing them to read NFC tags, which could be used to pay for goods and services in shops, can serve as train and bus tickets for your commute or simply be used to pick up a URL, allowing you to surf straight to a web-site after reading an NFC-enabled advertisement. You can expect more and more ingenious uses for the technology to emerge as perceptive developers begin exploring its potential too.
Our verdict? When you get the chance to upgrade, whether it be your phone or just your firmware, take it! Gingerbread is the next step in mobile operating system evolution. It’s fast, user-friendly and, most importantly, it's extremely capable. With the next version already in the pipeline you haven't got to worry about obsolescence either - Android is going from strength to strength, and will be around for years to come.