Android 2.3, aka Gingerbread, is a new version of the Android development platform. It comes with many salient features for the users; for the Android development aficionados, Android 2.3 includes many new technologies and APIs that support developing great apps. This version comes with dozens of changes and a few ground breaking Android mobile applications technologies are highlighted below.

User Interface Refinement

The updated user interface makes it easy for users to control and navigate the features of the device. Menus, notification bars, and other user interface items are rendered with vivid colors on a black background. The user interface is designed for better power efficiency and refined for faster learning and easy usage.

Efficient Text Input

Android 2.3 comes with an improved on-screen keyboard enabling faster input, intuitive typing, and quick editing. The keys are redesigned for optimum placement and targeting – it is easy to view and select the keys accurately. The device displays suggestions from the dictionary to correct entered text. Multitouch key chording allows the user input symbols and numbers faster by selecting Shift+and ?123+ - no need to switch input forms any longer.

Control Over Applications And Power Saving

Android 2.3 introduces the "task killer" which can be used to terminate misbehaving Android applications. This version gives the user a better insight into the apps running in the background, memory usage, and CPU time usage. This lets the user to exercise increased control over the power consumption by the system and Android applications. The application settings provide details on battery usage and relative power consumed by each app. Android 2.3 proactively takes care of apps that keep the device awake for too long and monitors disproportionate consumption of CPU resources. Through these new features, Android 2.3 ensures optimum device performance with efficient batter power utilization.

Native Code Development Features

Android 2.3 comes with Release 5 of Native Development Kit (NDK), giving Android developers a leg up to scale the productivity peak. The Android developers can now receive input and sensor events, create sound, design 3D graphics contexts, access storage, utilize assets among others. The sensor types now supported are gyroscope, linear acceleration, rotation vector and barometer sensors, which enable Android developers to accurately track device motions and orientation changes. New apps provide control over audio handling via native code through management of audio devices, audio input/output controls, etc. Enhanced native code development is a significant empowerment for any Android development company.

New Communications Options

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is now integrated into Android 2.3 though you will have to get a SIP account from a 3rd party. VoIP lets you make voice calls over the Internet to other users who have SIP accounts. Near-field communication or NFC is a new way of communicating via tags. The NFC Reader that comes with Android 3.2 can be used to read NFC tags and act upon information contained in it. Additionally, all downloads, whether from your browser, email, or other apps, are now managed in a centralized location. This gives the user convenient access to all downloaded content. The common download is managed by a new download manager, which can be used by different applications to store content in a single location. Also, Android 3.2 comes with the camera app, which gives you access to the multiple cameras on your device.