Google Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) New Features

Google has released the Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) platform. Android 3.1 is an incremental platform release that refines many of the features introduced in Android 3.0. It builds on the same tablet-optimized UI and features offered in Android 3.0 and adds several new capabilities for users and developers.



UI Refinements
The platform adds a variety of refinements to make the user interface more intuitive and more efficient to use.

Connectivity for USB accessories
It also adds broad platform support for a variety of USB-connected peripherals and accessories. Users can attach many types of input devices (keyboards, mice, game controllers) and digital cameras. Applications can build on the platform’s USB support to extend connectivity to almost any type of USB device.

Expanded Recent Apps list
The Recent Apps list is now expandable for improved multitasking and instant visual access to a much larger number of apps. Users can now scroll the list of recent apps vertically to see thumbnail images all of the tasks in progress and recently used apps, then touch a thumbnail to jump back into that task.

Resizeable Home screen widgets
Users can now resize their Home screen widgets using drag bars provided by the system. Users can expand widgets both horizontally and/or vertically to include more content, where supported by each widget.

Support for external keyboards and pointing devices
Users can now attach almost any type of external keyboard or mouse to their Android-powered devices, to create a familiar environment and work more efficiently

Support for joysticks and gamepads
To make the platform even better for gaming, the platform adds support for most PC joysticks and gamepads that are connected over USB or Bluetooth HID.

Robust Wi-Fi networking
The platform adds robust Wi-Fi features, to make sure that users and their apps can take full advantage of higher-speed Wi-Fi access at home, at work, and while away.

Updated set of standard apps
The platform includes an updated set of standard applications that are optimized for use on larger screen devices.

Enterprise support
Users can now configure an HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point. This lets administrators work with users to set a proxy hostname, port, and any bypass subdomains. This proxy configuration is automatically used by the Browser when the Wi-Fi access point is connected, and may optionally be used by other apps. The proxy and IP configuration is now backed up and restored across system updates and resets.