Google preps hefty Android update

The iPhone won't be the only touchscreen smartphone to get a serious software update this year. Google just announced a series of improvements for its Android mobile OS, including features such as an on-screen virtual keypad, stereo Bluetooth, video recording, and more.

We've known for months that Google was working on a beefy update for Android, the mobile platform that powers such touchscreen handsets at the T-Mobile G1 in the U.S. and the HTC Magic in Europe.

Info about the Android 1.5 update (which include most of the "Cupcake" enhancements that I've previously covered) have come out in drips in drabs over the past few months, including word that the OS would finally get a virtual QWERTY keypad (the G1 has a physical slide-out keypad, whereas the Magic is touchscreen-only).

But Google has finally unleashed a summary of all the 1.5 details, as well as releasing an "early-look" version of the 1.5 software development kit for Android app developers. Still unknown, though, is exactly when 1.5 will be rolled out to specific handsets.

Besides the virtual QWERTY keypad (which will work in both landscape and portrait modes), the 1.5 update will include such long-awaited features as a native video recorder (including the ability to upload videos directly to YouTube), support for stereo Bluetooth headsets, as well as cut & paste and tabbed browsing for the Web browser and the ability to search within a Web page.

Also on deck: an overall "polish" for all the major Android user interfaces, including calling, the Web browser, the Gmail/e-mail app, SMS and MMS messaging, calendar and contact management, the camera, and the image gallery.

Other new features include new home screen "widgets" (including calendar, music, analog clock, and search widget), peppier camera performance (plus the ability to upload snapshots to Picasa), and "smoother" Web page scrolling. You'll also be able to see the Google Talk status of your pals within Android's contacts, Gmail, and SMS/MMS messaging apps.

The Android 1.5 SDK will also boast a series of new tools and enhancements for developers; check out the details right here.

Overall, sounds good—although still left unanswered is when the next Android phone will arrive here in the States. T-Mobile has lined up the media for a big event next Tuesday in Manhattan (yep, I'll be there), but it's still not clear if Android will be taking center stage. Stay tuned.

Related:
Getting ready for Android 1.5 [Android developers blog]