Google bakes Gingerbread today!

After all the rumors and waiting we had for Android's next OS codenamed Gingerbread, It has been released today. A new version of ADT and the AVD and SDK Manager is also available. In order to begin development for Android 2.3 you must update both.

Here is a summary of all the new features developers will be interested to work on the new release. And to me this really sounds interesting.

Features

1. Support for SIP-based VOIP

2. Near Field Communications

3. Support for Gyroscope

4. Multiple Camera Support

5. Mixable Audio Effects

6. Download Manager

7. StrictMode for improving Application Performance

8. New additions to the UI Framework

9. Support for large screens

10. New OpenGL methods

11. Content Providers for AlarmClock, MediaStore, Settings and ContactsContract (For SIP Contacts)

12. Improvements to Location Manager

13. Storage Manager

14. Improvements to Package Manager

15. Telephony support to CDMA EVDO Rev B network type

16. Native access to Activity lifecycle, windows

17. Changes to Dalvik Runtime

18. New manifest elements such as reverseLandscape, reversePortrait , etc.,

19. New permissions for Alarm, SIP and NFC

20. New feature constants for front camera, nfc, barometer, gyroscope, sip, jazzhand (5 point multitouch)

Those who are interested in learning more, visit the android developer site from here.