Android 2.2

Android 2.2
Name	Android 2.2
Developer	Google
Released	May 2010
Latest release	2.2.2 (Froyo)
Programming language	Java (programming language), C (programming language)
Family	Android (operating system)
License	Apache License

Android 2.2 is a version of the Android mobile operating system released by Google in 2010. It introduced platform-level changes focused on performance, application distribution, and enterprise-oriented capabilities, and was delivered to devices from manufacturers such as HTC, Samsung, Motorola and Sony Ericsson. The release influenced subsequent mobile software development patterns among ecosystem participants including Samsung Galaxy S, Nexus One, and carriers like Verizon.

Overview

Android 2.2 was positioned as a major incremental release in the Android lineage alongside predecessors like Android 2.1 and successors such as Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Announced at events attended by executives from Google and partners including Andy Rubin and representatives from T-Mobile, the update emphasized runtime performance improvements, new application distribution mechanisms championed by Android Market operators, and enhanced platform APIs for developers working with Eclipse and Android SDK. Hardware partners such as HTC, Samsung, and Motorola shipped devices and firmware updates supporting the release.

Features

Key features included a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler for the Dalvik virtual machine, improved Adobe Flash support in the browser, support for portable Wi‑Fi hotspot tethering, and expanded Exchange ActiveSync and enterprise policy controls for corporate deployments. The browser enhancements aimed to integrate multimedia capabilities associated with Adobe alongside JavaScript performance improvements comparable to contemporary engines used by Apple in iPhone OS and by Mozilla in Firefox. Carrier and OEM customizations enabled features such as over-the-air updates coordinated with operators including AT&T and Sprint.

User interface and apps

The user interface retained core elements introduced in earlier releases while gaining refinements to home screen widgets and application management used by devices like the Nexus One and Samsung Galaxy S. Preinstalled applications for services tied to Google—including Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Talk—continued to be central; third-party developers used tools originating from Google and partner ecosystems to distribute apps via Android Market. Media playback relied on platform codecs and browser integration supporting plugins from Adobe; OEM skins from HTC Sense and Samsung TouchWiz modified visual presentation and included proprietary apps for camera, email, and social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter.

Performance and optimizations

Performance was a headline area due to the introduction of a JIT compiler that improved execution speed for apps written for the Dalvik runtime. Improvements affected CPU-bound workloads on SoCs from vendors like Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and NVIDIA present in devices such as the HTC Desire and Motorola Droid X. Memory management and application lifecycle adjustments reduced background resource consumption, benefitting multitasking for users of handsets distributed by carriers including T-Mobile and Verizon. Networking optimizations improved HTTP throughput for mobile web experiences akin to contemporaneous updates from Apple and browser vendors.

Developer APIs and tools

Android 2.2 expanded the platform SDK with APIs for USB and enhanced Bluetooth profiles, new intents for tethering, and support for native code via the Android NDK. The release coincided with updates to the Android SDK and development environments such as Eclipse with the ADT plugin, and tools relied on Java (programming language) and adb for profiling and debugging. Developers targeted distribution through Android Market while following guidance from Google about compatibility and using libraries influenced by projects like WebKit for browser rendering and SQLite for local storage.

Release and update history

Announced in May 2010, the rollout involved carrier testing and OEM firmware updates that varied by market; notable first devices included the Nexus One and carrier-branded models from HTC and Samsung. Subsequent minor updates addressed stability and bug fixes culminating in maintenance builds such as 2.2.2. The update process involved collaboration between Google, OEMs, and carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, reflecting the fragmented Android update ecosystem also observed in later Android distribution discussions involving Android Open Source Project.

Reception and legacy

Contemporary reviews praised the performance gains from the JIT compiler and the practicality of built-in tethering and enhanced Exchange support, and compared the platform to competitors from Apple and ecosystems supported by Microsoft mobile efforts. The release influenced developer expectations for runtime performance and media support, informing later platform decisions leading toward Android 2.3 Gingerbread and eventually architectures in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Its role in broadening smartphone capabilities contributed to market dynamics involving manufacturers such as Samsung and HTC and carriers like Verizon and AT&T. Category:Android (operating system)