Android 3.2 SDK released

The Android 3.2 SDK includes a new zoom-to-fill screen compatibility mode and lets developers better target a range of screen sizes

Hot on the heels of the Motorola Xoom’s Android
3.2 update, Google has released the Android 3.2 Honeycomb Software
Development Kit.

Tipped as coming in mid-July, the updated SDK
adds support for 7-inch Honeycomb tablets, activates the microSD card
slot in all Honeycomb tablets, and much much more.

While Android 3.2 Honeycomb is only an incremental release, the SDK
adds several new capabilities for users and developers. The
capabilities include API (application programming interface) changes as
well as support changes.

Overall, Android 3.2 highlights include:

• Optimizations for a wider range of screen sizes. The SDK now allows
  developers to better target a range of screen sizes, not just 10.1-inch.
  
• New fill-screen mode, a zoom-to-fill screen compatibility mode,
  which “renders the application in a smaller screen area and then scales
  the pixels to fill the current screen.”
• Music and video files can be loaded directly from the SD card meaning the SD card slot now works and isn’t broken.
• Extended screen support API provides developers with more “precise
  control over the user interface across the range of Android-powered
  devices.” Developers will be allowed to target   screen sizes now too.

Overall, I’d say the additional screen size
support is really huge and will open the door to even more Android
slates. It will allow tablets like the Huawei MediaPad and HTC Flyer to
be an in-between display option between phones and 8.9-inch tablets like
the Galaxy Tab 8.9.

Many users view 7-inch tablets as the perfect
size and hopefuly this will allow Android to really grow and
differentiate from the iPad.

If you’re interested, the Android 3.2 software development kit is available for download right here.

 

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