Android 2.2 is here…well, not on our Android devices. But Google announced the new version, codenamed Froyo. Here are some highlights:

• Dedicated shortcuts on the Home Screen for Phone, Launcher, and Browser.
• Password unlock in addition to pattern unlock
• New UI for camera controls
• Portable Hotspot built-in
• Improved Browser Performance
• Improved Application and Memory Performance
• New Media Framework
• Voice Dialing over Bluetooth
• App Storage on SD card
• Apps Can Now do Data Backup and Restore
• Car Mode and Night Mode controls and configurations to adjust their user interface for these situations
• Adobe Flash support(More on this here)
• Desktop to Mobile functions

We don’t have any pictures, but Engadget does, and they can be found here.

Well, voice dialing over Bluetooth has been sadly missing, and is a safety concern. With the increased public program to prevent texting while driving, and to encourage safety, it seems this is the best move. We were outraged this option wasn’t enabled initially, as were many.

The keynote also demonstrated being able to initiate app installation and other functions on your desktop, and transfer that to the phone. This, and automatic updates, also coming, are two features that people have felt are lacking in the Android marketplace. Third party apps have tried to fill the gaps, such as AppBrain, which is very useful, but still needs to call the Android Market to install.

Hopefully, it will be in our hands soon.

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• Speed central to Google’s Android 2.2 plans (news.cnet.com)
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• Google: Android 2.2 (Froyo) is ‘world’s fastest mobile browser’ (dvice.com)
• Android Froyo, with some sprinkles (googleblog.blogspot.com)
• Flash 10.1 for Android beta unveiled: Hulu a no-show, Froyo now a minimum requirement (engadget.com)
• Android 2.2 Froyo officially announced (engadget.com)
• Google claims Froyo has the world’s fastest mobile browser (engadget.com)