Google has released the Android 1.6 software development kit, codenamed Donut.
True to its name, Donut brings a bevy of tasty new features to the mobile operating system including Google’s voice recognition technology and support for a variety of screen sizes and resolutions – which should mean a prettier Android on larger displays.
However, the most interesting addition is the Quick Search box, which is similar in design to QuickSearch on webOS, and allows users to search the web and their phone directly from the home screen.
“It provides suggestions, even when the user is still typing. Quick Search Box provides relevant contextual information, like local business listings as suggestions, without having to launch the browser. Users can also find answers to common queries, like local weather. Users can search for information managed by applications, like contacts,” says Google in the demonstration video.
Users can also select what types of content are searched on their phone through a simple tick box system. Simply un-ticking music, for example, means Android won’t bother searching your music folder when you enter a search term.
Alongside the Quick Search Box, there’s also a text-to-speech facility, with an inbuilt translation feature that will allow users to type a sentence in English and have it spoken in another language.
Google also announced a revamped Marketplace, with the focus on navigation. A new category view allows users to view the top-paid apps, top-free apps and those that have been recently submitted. There’s also an ability for developers to display screen shots and users to submit reviews.
According to Google, smartphones running Donut should begin appearing in October.
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