[Tushar Raj]

This is what Dell streak misses here.


Android 2.2 (Froyo) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) are two versions of the Smartphone operating system developed by Google. Android 2.3 is the latest edition. In comparison between Android 2.2 and Android 2.3, Android 2.3 is a major release and there are number of differences between Android 2.2 and Android 2.3. Android platform was initially developed by Android Inc. Google, the internet giant acquired Android in year 2005. Basically Android did not start from scratch; it was developed from the versions of Linux kernel.
Android 2.2 though mostly a stable system, had two revisions. Android 2.2 (Froyo) Rev 1.0 was released in May 2010 and Rev. 2.0 was released in July 2010. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) was released on 6th Dec 2010. There are a lot of improvements and new features included in Gingerbread. Of course Android 2.3 is a major release. However Android 2.2 was a minor release, speed improvement was brought in with the integration of Chrome V8 JavaScript engine and JIT optimization, Wi-Fi hotspot feature was added and a new clean UI with tip widget and app market widget was introduced and some of the other app widgets were given a facelift.
A considerable number of new features were introduced in Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), that include new UI themes, redesigned keyboards, new copy and paste functionality, improved power management, better application management, new download manager, NFC (Near Field Communication), support for VoIP/SIP calls, new Camera application for accessing multiple cameras and supports extra large screens.

Networking:
Android 2.2 supports Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi. On top of these, Android 2.2 supports Wi-Fi hotspot functionality that can connect 6 devices. In the sense, you can use Android 2.2 phone as a wireless broadband router.
Android 2.3(Gingerbread), in addition to all existing features, supports for NFC (Near Field Communication) which is a high speed data communication mechanism operates in high frequency within a short range (10 cm).

Power Management:
Power Management is one the critical tasks in these kind of Mobile operating systems. Even if you have all these fancy features, if the battery life of the device is couple of hours, then there is no use in the added features. Android 2.3 handles it in a better way than Android 2.2. Here in 2.3 the OS manages the applications and daemon application which are running at the background and closes the unnecessary applications.
Android 2.2 (Froyo) supports the following features:

• Integration of Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine into the Browser application
• Advanced Microsoft Exchange support
• Wi-Fi hotspot functionality
• USB Tethering
• Voice dialling and contact sharing over Bluetooth
• Support for file upload fields in the Browser application
• Animated GIFs supported in browser.
• Adobe Flash 10.1 supported
• Support for extra high DPI screens

Android 2.2 had two revisions. Android 2.2.1 was the first revision released in May 2010. Android 2.2.1 included some improvements and bug fixes. Improvements were mainly on Gmail application and Exchange Active Sync. It also received an update to Twitter and refreshed weather widget. Android 2.2.2 was released in June 2010. It was released mainly to address the email bug that randomly forward the text messages in the inbox. The email bug randomly select a recipient from the contact list and forward a random message in the inbox on its own. This bug was fixed with the Android 2.2.2 update.
Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) supports the following features in addition to existing 2.2 features:

• New user interface design with new themes (Black themes save power)
• Extra Large Screen Size supported
• SIP Communication Supported (SIP Video and Audio Calling, In an operator point of view, this is feature will decrease their voice calling revenue where as user can call each other for lower rates or even free if they have good data connection)
• Supports for NFC (High Frequency High Speech Data Transfer in short range)
• Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding
• New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost
• Improved Copy and Paste functionality
• Redesigned Multi Touch Software Keyboard
• Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers
• New sensors support (i.e gyroscope)
• Download manager for long running HTTP downloads
• Enhanced support for native code
• Improved power management and application control
• Support for multiple cameras

[Tushar Raj]

A lot of Android phones do have a secondary front camera meant to be used in video calling, it was never really put to use until recently. The reason was that the platform did not have native support for video calling until the introduction of Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Google is working on Android 2.3.4 to bring native support for the same to be used via Google Talk. Until then, here is our pick of apps that will facilitate video calling on your Android phone for free. Please bear in mind that video calling through each of these apps works over Wi-Fi as well as 3G, and data charges will be applicable according to the data plan you have opted for.

Difference between naive video call and app based video call is that the first one does not require you to use any app and works only on 3G/HSDPA, just type the phone number and your phone will make a video call and charges will be done on minute basis to your operator. Ask your operator for rates.
But if you use app based video call it can work both over 3G and Wifi, but the other person must have the same application on the other side. Lets for example say oovoo, skype etc. If the other side does not have that application and have not accepted friends request then you won't be able to place a video call. However in 3G Naive video call you can call the same way you make a normal phone call. No extra ID's configuration or app will be required to use it.

Gingerbread has brought this by default, Dell did not update it to Gingerbread hence Streak users will miss this. Now if we check other phones that have video call and we could see how old they were.
Symbian versions:
Nokia 6630: 2004, Nokia N70: 2005, Nokia N95: 2007 etc and forward and every phone after that has it(Phones with front facing camera)
iPhone 4: 2010


Android phones from Samsung have video calling feature in it even in Android 2.2, samsung customized Android 2.2 to make and recieve Naive video calls. Sony made the same as samsung.

Today any phone with hardware configuration with 1 Ghz processor and 512 MB RAM has android 2.3 Gingerbread on it. Even old phones with this configurations have been upgraded. But Dell Streak missed this too.

One solution that many have given me is to use DJ_Steve's jailbreak to patch Gingerbreak 2.3, but that will void the warranty. So it is upto you.

Accessories are available from cheap chinese made on ebay for dell streak, but do not expect anything from Dell india to supply. However the same is available in US, UK and few other countries. Rest won't get them because Dell did not launch it. I had to get the same customized from Ebay USA and that costed a lot. Never mind at least I got my cover.

[Diliprai]

Hi,tushar
nice info.abt the dell strek software n andro. Also

Tell me that when will dell give update to gingerbread.n one more question abt srtek that i'm going to buy it SO tell me that which comes with dell strek andro1.6 eclier or 2.2froyo ?

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

I'm not the OP, but...

Dell has not committed to a release of 2.3.x. When I got mine from Dell it came with 2.2.2. Realistically, you only need Gingerbread if you have to have the Near Field Communication capability, since video calling apps are available in the Market for Froyo.

I would encourage you to take a fair amount of what the OP says with a grain of salt. Some of his assertions are flat out wrong. For example, evidence has been presented in his poll in the main Dell Streak forum that Gingerbread is only on about 10% of devices and not every device as he claims.

[Diliprai]

Thanks man

[Tushar Raj]

Originally Posted by Diliprai

Hi,tushar
nice info.abt the dell strek software n andro. Also

Tell me that when will dell give update to gingerbread.n one more question abt srtek that i'm going to buy it SO tell me that which comes with dell strek andro1.6 eclier or 2.2froyo ?

Hi Dilip,

Don't buy it, its obsolete now, if you want android go for samsung galaxy s2, it has gingerbread, video calling, it is light, has a 4.3 inch screen and has a better battery life. My dell streak does not work for more than 12 hrs if i use data on my cell phone. But one of my friend has a galaxy s2 and his battery lasts for more than 24 hrs.

I would suggest that you also take a look for iphone 4, if that happens to be too expensive then you can look for iphone 3gs. Iphone now in India comes in unlocked state so you can use any mobile network.

Dilip remeber one thing when it comes to Android Froyo, it hangs a lot, 2.2.2 fixed may apps but still is not as good as gingerbread.

Dell streak has been discontinued in many countries. So will not make sense for you to buy it now.

If you want to know anything else let me know.

Regards

Tushar

[Diliprai]

Hi,tushar
thanks for sugg. i want to know abt ur use of fone .how much u use web,music n calls . I also want to know on thing that games r downloadable in strek? Wen u go to bed how much bettry lefts.

[Diliprai]

not any answers yet ????

[Strephon Alkhalikoi]

I wouldn't expect much from him regarding good points of the Streak, like the battery life. He seems to be regurgitating stuff he finds online. One message he repeated three different times on two threads.

The biggest battery drains are the GPS and WiFi, and if you shut them off, either in the settings or, preferably, the power control widget, you will easily improve your battery life. I don't use the Streak as a music player since I have a dedicated MP3 player for that, but heavy Internet, text, and calls nets me between 1 and 1.5 days on a single charge. I recommend charging the Streak nightly.

[Tushar Raj]

Originally Posted by Diliprai

Hi,tushar
thanks for sugg. i want to know abt ur use of fone .how much u use web,music n calls . I also want to know on thing that games r downloadable in strek? Wen u go to bed how much bettry lefts.

Hey the phone battery is not good. 25-30% of the battery use is done by bluetooth, 15-20% use by GPS, Wifi 10%....etc etc.

So when I goto office, I keep my APC battery charger as I have to charge it once in a day.

Usually I work from home and have Wifi at home, so when my phone is connected to wifi it lasts much longer than 3G data.

When I go out I switch off my bluetooth and wifi, and I do not listen to music generally. My main use of a phone is email and navigation, with that the battery lasts not more than 12-15 hrs. Now, I have purchased an iphone and much more happier with it. The battery for my iphone4 lasts for more than 24 hrs without switching off any applications.

I hope this answers your questions.