Rubin: Android getting more social features; Donut, Eclair, and Flan all in the oven

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 10th 2009 at 7:07PM

You don't have to look far past Palm's Synergy tech for webOS and smaller-scale operations like INQ to understand that social internetworking -- an intelligent aggregation of every corner of your life -- is the wave of the mobile future, and Google's going on record saying that it understands. At a T-Mobile- and Google-sponsored event in San Francisco earlier today, Andy Rubin (you know, the Android dude) discussed upcoming releases in Android's pipeline starting with Donut, which we've already heard mentioned, but then progressing to "Eclair" and "Flan" without mentioning specific timelines. He didn't bust out any comprehensive roadmaps, but he waxed poetic about some of the social-centric possibilities -- for example, being kept abreast of a contact's Facebook photo and latest update every time they call -- and mentioned that developers will soon have additional options for charging for apps (presently, Google Checkout is the only way to handle it, but carrier billing is coming soon).

He also reiterated that the hardware pipeline for Android is staggeringly massive, with 15 to 20 phones coming this year alone. One manufacturer actually had the stones to show him eighteen Android-powered devices in a recent meeting -- sounds like a very Samsung-esque thing to do, but whether it's Samsung, HTC, or someone else, we're happy to hear once again that the Magic, Hero, Dream, and Galaxy won't be the only games in town for long.

[Via Phone Scoop]

Filed under: Software, Android

Tags: android, andy rubin, AndyRubin, donut, eclair, flan, google, rubin

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highest Ranked

rosewood @ Jul 10th 2009 8:21PM

I was going to be all snobby and say that picture is Crème caramel and not flan. I didn't realize they are one in the same :( Good thing I checked before making an ass out of myself. Now I have to figure out why I'm telling you people this.

Neutral

Galen20K @ Jul 10th 2009 10:07PM

You have Class sir, it's Refreshing when people can admit that they' aren't perfect. I bow to your Integrity.

I'm Excited about all these Android phones in the works and hope that they don't get delayed, 2009 is almost Halfway Over for god sakes and they really need to Haul Booty to get them out. The only way to do that is if all the Manufacturers release several models across all the Carriers.

GO ANDROID!

Low Ranked

Who? @ Jul 10th 2009 10:13PM

Can someone finally tell me what's so great about Android?

Highly Ranked

teknikkle @ Jul 11th 2009 5:57AM

Does the iphone multitask, allow open development, have a customizable home screen, have a phys keyboard, removable battery, and come in various styles?? NO

Are there any BB's that have an OS designed for touch, have a customizable homescreen, and are easy to develop on?? NO

Which Windows phone has an OS designed for fingers and not a stylus, or has an OS designed with consumers in mind?? NONE

I hope I helped you out

Highly Ranked

freighttrain2126 @ Jul 10th 2009 11:39PM

so who's in charge naming these builds, kristie alley?

Neutral

phonejunkie101 @ Jul 11th 2009 12:04AM

Betty Crocker..lol

Neutral

A-Power @ Jul 11th 2009 12:01AM

The naming scheme is derived from things in the oven starting with C:
Cupcake
Donut
Eclair
Flan

If you really need me to show you the pattern then you really need a refresher in Hooked on Phonics.

Highest Ranked

dg @ Jul 11th 2009 12:50AM

It really makes me angry that they're going to call it "Donut". I feel as though 90% of this country thinks that this is how you actually spell the word "doughnut". Maybe it's in the dictionary these days, but that's only because we learn how to spell (incorrectly) by visiting fast food chains all too often, and then everyone spells it that way.

I understand that language evolves and changes. This is partially the reason that we have the plethora of languages that we do today... but come on, I think it could be strongly argued that things like this are prime examples of DEvolving.

Also of note: doughnuts are, traditionally, not baked but fried.

Neutral