Google has released the source code to the new 2.2 version of Android ("Froyo") to its partners, and also revealed that 160,000 Android powered devices are activated daily.
In a blog post titled "Celebrating Android", Google's Andy Rubin, vice-president of engineering, wrote: "We are open-sourcing the new 2.2 version of Android, which we call Froyo, to our partners who manufacture Android devices around the world. Customers will enjoy great new features and improved browser performance. And developers will benefit from new tools such as Android cloud-to-device messaging, which makes it easier for mobile applications to sync data."
Froyo's changes include improved performance, new enterprise capabilities, a more powerful browser and additions to the Android Market, including application error reports and a new bug reporting feature.
Rubin revealed that 160,000 Android-powered devices are activated daily around the world — almost two devices every second. There are currently 60 Android devices sold in 49 countries, including Australia. Current Android smartphones on the market in Australia include the HTC Desire (solid exclusively through Telstra), Samsung's Galaxy S and Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X10. Motorola also has a healthy Android presence with its DEXT, Backflip and Quench smartphones (all sold exclusively through Optus).