If you’re using a T-Mobile G1 then you will have to wait until June for a firmware upgrade. Android 1.5, also known as Cupcake, was supposed to be released earlier, but T-Mobile opted to delay it because of deployment issues.
Android users are excited about this software update. T-Mobile stated in their community forums that they are working hard to get Android 1.5 out as soon as it is ready. They are just finalizing the release build, to ensure that the users experience smooth delivery of the upgrade.
Android enthusiasts are waiting impatiently for the Cupcakes release. The upgrade features a number of new features. Android 1.5 improves all the core user interface elements. Accelerometer-based applications can now run with the G1 Android. UI polish was done with in-call experience, SMS, MMS, browser, contacts, call logs, calendar, email, camera, gallery, and application management.
The Cupcake enables faster camera start-up and image capture. GPS locations are acquired faster in the Android 1.5. It will be powered by SUPL AGPS. Users will also feel smoother page-scrolling with the Browser. Browsing the web with your G1 will be faster than ever before.
Android 1.5 will also feature a video recorder, and users can easily share it with the whole world, via the built-in YouTube uploader. Video playback is also made available. Supported file formats are 3GP and MPEG4. If you have photos, you can also upload them with Google’s Picasa. Other features include home screen widgets, and stereo Bluetooth capabilities.
Probably the most hyped feature of the Cupcake is the virtual keyboard. The G1 already has a physical keyboard, but future Android devices will be touch phones, such as the Samsung I7500 and the HTC Magic. Samsung is one of the earliest members of the Open Handset Alliance, and the I7500 will be their first ever Android handset. It will be a multimedia phone that is capable of playing various audio and video formats. It is planned to have 8 GB internal memory with a microSD slot that allows the memory to be expanded up to 32 GB.
According to the company’s official statement, T-Mobile’s decision to delay the Cupcake’s release has nothing to do with the pending lawsuit with regards to the Android trademark. If you want to flash your G1 with the Cupcake, there are web sites in which you can download the software upgrade. Once you upgrade to Android 1.5, you will have to upgrade your apps as well. Some might not work with the new firmware.
