Issue 1: Major Additions to Android 2.2 Here is a list of some of the key features that have been added to Android 2.2 (Froyo):


  • Faster System Operations: The upgraded OS includes optimizations that improve system performance through better memory management, faster switching between apps, and faster browser performance.
  • Native Exchange Support: The Dell Streak will now support Exchange allowing Exchange administrators to manage stronger password policies across devices including numeric and alpha numeric passwords, auto discovery, remote wipe, Exchange calendars, and Global Address list lookup for contacts.
  • Adobe Flash 10.1 Compatability: The Dell Streak will now be compatible with Adobe Flash 10.1 enabling a richer web experience through enabling Flash-based animation, video, and games to run natively on your browser.
  • Portable Hotspot/USB Tethering: With this update, you can tether the Dell Streak to your Windows PC via its 30-pin USB cable and share your data connection between the two devices via USB. An additional driver to support USB tethering on Froyo is available at support.dell.com.
  • 720p Video Recording: The Dell Streak will now be able to record movies on the go in 720p high definition using the rear-facing 5 megapixel camera.
  • Native Multi-Touch Support: The Dell Streak will now support multi-touch gestures such as "pinch-to-zoom" in a broader range of applications including Google Maps.
  • Document Editing Capability: In addition to being able to view documents, this software update will allow you to edit documents on your Streak using the QuickOffice application.
  • Updated Phone Dialer User Interface: In the new software, we have improved both the look and operation of the phone dialer application. This will make it easier to place, answer, and manage phone calls on the Dell Streak.
  • Support for Live Wallpapers: One of the most anticipated features of devices with Android 2.0 and above: The Dell Streak will now support Live Wallpapers and will come pre-loaded with user favorites.
  • Broader Application Compatibility: Gain access to new applications from the Android Market that are written specifically for devices with Android 2.0 and above.
  • Android Market Batch and Automatic Update Features: In Android 2.2, now your Android Market will feature the option to perform batch updates to marketplace apps (upon notification) or automatically update the apps (no notification).
  • App Storage on Expandable Memory: In Android 2.2, you now have the option of choosing where you store your apps downloaded from Android Market. Choose to store your apps on internal and expandable memory allowing for more capability of downloading more apps from Android Market's over 100,000 apps currently available.
  • Backup and Restore App: Your Dell Streak upgrade to Android 2.2 includes an application to Backup and Restore that allows you to fully backup and restore your device including contacts, call/message logs, and device settings directly to your microSD card.
  • Pre-Loaded Swype Keyboard App: Your Dell Streak upgrade to Android 2.2 includes a Swype keyboard app, a finger-tracing text entry input method. Trace words or type as a standard keyboard. The choice is yours.
  • Gallery App Synchronizes with Picasa Online Galleries: With Android 2.2, the Gallery app automatically synchronizes with online Picasa photos. Install Picasa on your PC and use it to choose which galleries to upload to your Google account. Users will be able to view all of these photos on your Dell Streak through the Gallery app.
  • Dell Stage User Interface/Launcher: Your Dell Streak upgrade to Android 2.2 includes Dell Stage user interface as the default launcher for Android. Stage is a set of widgets such as Home/Recent Apps, Email, Music, Gallery, Contacts, Web, Social (Facebook/Twitter) that brings your content to your home screen and helps you stay connected.

Issue 2: Summary of Pre-Loaded Applications
Summary of Pre-Loaded Applications

Figure 1: Summary of Pre-Loaded Apps in Froyo (Android 2.2)

Figure 2: Summary of Pre-Loaded Apps in Eclair (Android 2.1)

Figure 3: Summary of Pre-Loaded Apps in Donut (Android 1.6)


Issue 3: Changes to Key Applications

Android Market
Android Market
Android Market
Android Market
No change.
Browser
Google Browser with Dell Multi-Touch
Google Browser with Google Multi-Touch
Google Browser with Google Multi-Touch
Now the Browser leverages standard Android multi-touch.
Camera
Dell Customized Camera
Google Camera (Pictures) Google Camcorder (Video) with Dell Custom Modifications
Google Camera (Pictures) Google Camcorder (Video) with Dell Custom Modifications
Dedicated apps for photo and video make it easier for users to discover the functionality. Support for both front and rear facing cameras. Camcorder now supports 720p video capture.
Documents
QuickOffice Viewer
QuickOffice Editor
QuickOffice Editor
Customers can now view and edit Microsoft Office documents. QuickOffice also includes File Browser and Search capability.
Email
K9 Email Client with Dell Customization
Google Email Client
Google Email Client
The new email client is more stable than the previous client.
Facebook
Not pre-installed
Pre-Installed Android Client
Pre-Installed Android Client
No need to download the application from Android Market.
MP3 Store
"MP3 Store"
"Amazon MP3 Store"
"Amazon MP3 Store"
Eliminates customer confusion regarding the MP3 store provider.
Notes
"Outlook Notes"
"Notes"
Not in Android 2.2/ Dell Mobile Sync does not support Notes sync
Eliminates customer confusion regarding this app. (Dell PC Suite tool syncs more than just Outlook data).
OS
Android "Donut" (v. 1.6)
Android "Eclair" (v. 2.1)
Android "Froyo" (v. 2.2)
Faster system operations, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, Native Exchange Support, Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot/USB Tethering.
Phone
Dell Customized Dialer
Dell Customized Dialer
Dell Customized Dialer
The Dialer has been re-designed to make placing, receiving, and managing calls easier for users.
Photos & Video
Arcsoft "Photos & Video" Gallery
Google "Gallery"
Google "Gallery"
Leverages the standard Google "Gallery" with better integration with online services.
Recorder
"Recorder"
"Sound Recorder"
"Sound Recorder"
Eliminates customer confusion regarding this app.
SugarSync
Not pre-installed
Pre-Installed Android Client
Not Pre-Installed
Access your files anywhere with Seamless OTA syncing back to your home PC.
Tasks
"Outlook Tasks"
"Tasks"
Not in Android 2.2 Dell Mobile Sync does not support Tasks sync
Eliminates customer confusion regarding this app. (Dell PC Suite tool syncs more than just Outlook data).
Twitter
Twitter Widget
Twitter Widget (small)
Twitter Widget (large)
Stage Facebook/Twitter Widget
Optional Stage Facebook/Twitter Widgets
Twitter
Not Pre-installed
Pre-installed Android Client
Pre-installed Android Client
No need to download the application from Android Market.
Voice Control
Nuance "Voice Control"
Google "Voice Dialer"
Google "Voice Dialer"
Eliminates customer confusion regarding this application and an upgrade to Google Android's built-in and well-integrated solution.
You Tube
None
You Tube Widget
You Tube Widget
Added a You Tube widget that gives direct access to clips.


Issue 4: Additional Changes

Email
Dell Customized K9 Email Client with "Inbox" Widget
Google Email Client with no "Inbox" Widget
Google Email Client with no "Inbox" Widget
The new client has Exchange integrated and features a Stage Inbox widget.
Media
Windows DRM (Digital Rights Management) with support for Windows Media Player's "Media Transfer Protocol"
Mass Storage Mode Only
Mass Storage Mode Only
No change: Windows DRM and MTP mode did not work well in the original software. The feature has been removed to improve stability. Non-DRM protected files (including Windows media) can still be manually transferred and played on the device.
Camera
Dell Customized Camera
Google Camera (Pictures)
Google Camcorder (Video)
Google Camera (Pictures)
Google Camcorder (Video)
Front facing camera support has been restored in this release.
Home Screen Layout
6 "Rooms" with 4 x 8 Icon Grid
6 "Rooms" with 4 x 6 Icon Grid
7 "Panels" with 4 x 6 Icon Grid
To enable Live Wallpapers, we had to adopt the standard Android Home Screen layout. Only one Wallpaper background is supported as in Eclair.
Facebook Widget
Dell Customized Facebook Widget
Standard Android Facebook Widget
Stage Facebook/Twitter Widget
Our Froyo release includes a Facebook/Twitter widget.
Keyboard
Dell Customized Keyboard
Standard Android Keyboard
Optional Swype Keyboard, Standard Android Keyboard
Many customers complained about the un-ergonomic aspect of the original keyboard. Dell implemented the standard Android keyboard and optional Swype keyboard to address this complaint.
PC Sync Software
Dell PC Suite for Android 1.6
Dell PC Suite for Android 2.1
Dell Mobile Sync Powered by Nero
For details on upgrading to Dell Mobile Sync by Nero™, see Upgrade Dell PC Suite to Dell Mobility Suite by Nero™
Volume Keys
Changed with orientation
Fixed
Fixed
Customer confusion on volume keys depending on orientation of the device. Key volume (up/down) is now fixed regardless of the orientation of the device
Homescreen Orientation
Homescreen Orientation Fixed to Landscape Mode
Homescreen Orientation Optional to Landscape or Portrait Mode
Homescreen Orientation Optional to Landscape or Portrait Mode
Device homescreen switches oreientation inutively to portrait or landscape.

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Issue 5: Key Limitations in Android 2.2
Here are some of the key limitations that have been identified in the update:


  • Lack of DRM Solution in Froyo: Donut users will no longer will be able to play DRM (Digital Rights Management) content. In Donut, Windows Media DRM content, users could transfer using MTP protocol or Windows Media player. Users upgrading from Eclair will not have this DRM problem.
  • SIM Manager App Has Been Removed: Donut / Eclair users need to be aware that most of the functionality formerly provided by the SIM Manager app is now provided by the Contacts application. The only feature missing in SIM Manager is ability for users to export contacts to a SIM and editing contacts directly on a SIM. A user who wants to go back to feature phone from Android might need this.
  • Touchdown Exchange Mail App Removed: Touch Down application has been removed from Donut and Eclair builds. Both a native Exchange Email client and Google Email application have replaced this application. There is a potential that some users may not able to communicate through their Exchange server.
  • Differences Between the Stage Launcher vs. the Google Launcher: While the Stage Widgets can be disabled by the user, the Stage Launcher cannot. Users will notice the difference between the Google launcher and the Stage launcher. For example, in the app drawer, the Google launcher scrolls vertically whereas the Stage launcher scrolls horizontally. Users still have the option of downloading various Froyo launcher apps in the Android Marketplace.