Android 2.0 (formerly codenamed 'Éclair') is the latest evolution ofthe mobile OS developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance.

This version is a chunky upgrade, superceding the current Android 1.6 software (dubbed 'Donut'), which was actually considered "a minor platform release".

The first phone to feature Android 2.0 will be Motorola's comeback phone, the DROID (aka the dull-sounding Milestone in Europe).

Itstands as an example of some the techno-goodness that inches Android2.0 that little bit closer to bettering the Apple iPhone. For example, there's …

Contacts 2.0 – MotoBLUR meets HTC's Sense

Thegood news for future Android phones (but bad news for the Palm Pre) isthat Android 2.0 significantly upgrades its contacts functionality.Multiple email accounts and contacts lists can all be cleverly mashedtogether, enabling you to sync your personal and work accounts into oneeasy-to — manage super-list.

A new API will also enabledevelopers to develop widgets that can "provide synchronisation withadditional data sources". Think MotoBLUR-style Twitter and Facebookintegration in the future.

A new 'Quick Contact' feature, meanwhile, seems to take its cues from HTC's Sense UI. Quick Contactenables you to select a contact and view all the available ways thatyou can get in touch with them, ie by phone, SMS and email. This sortof integrated contacts feature already works impressively on the HTC Hero, which also extends the approach to Facebook status updates and Flickr photo albums.

MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS: The Android 2.0 OS not only supports multiple email accounts but it can merge them into one centralised inbox

QUICK CONTACT: Tap on a Contact and the new Quick Contact feature will show all the ways that you can contact them

You want Microsoft Exchange? You've got Microsoft Exchange

Whileearlier versions of the Android OS bolted Microsoft Exchange support ontop of the core software stack, Android 2.0 now has thisbusiness-friendly functionality built-in.

That said, it's not amandatory Android feature – it's up to the handset manufacturers tochoose whether to include Exchange support in their mobile devices.But, with the VPN support that came courtesy of Android 1.6, Android2.0 is in better shape for corporate use.

Multiplayer gaming via Bluetooth

Thenew Éclair update also brings Bluetooth 2.1 support to the Androidplatform with two new profiles – Object Push Profile (OPP) and PhoneBook Access Profile (PBAP).

They might not sound like thesexiest of upgrades, but consider the possibilities here. OPP enablesAndroid 2.0 handsets to send / receive files, paving the way forproximity-based multiplayer gaming, wireless contact / photo swapping andother P2P applications. While PBAP enables another device to accessphone book information over a Bluetooth connection, enable in-cartechnology to display the contact name for an incoming call or letdrivers dial their contacts direct from the dashboard.

Tags: 20, android