Google Honeycomb to be the next Android treat?

Google’s update to Android 3.0 Gingerbread might be named Honeycomb

Tech Radar reports that Google plans to sweeten its Android offerings with OS 3.1 (or will it be 3.2?) code-named Honeycomb.

Rumours indicate that Honeycomb is being designed to cater to upcoming Android-based tablets. The Samsung Galaxy tablet (to be named Galaxy Tab or Galaxy Pad), expected out soon, is a potential candidate to run the new OS. However, that depends on the launch date – Samsung might be in a hurry to capitalize on the great reputation its Galaxy S Android phones enjoy in the market. In that case, we would see a rushed launch and we would probably see Android 2.2 Froyo running on the tablet.

Android 3.0 Gingerbread is expected to be out by end-2010, so we could expect the Honeycomb update in Q1 2011.

Some Android-users insist that Google’s aim is to customize its OS for the tablet platform and high-end smartphones. Hence, the Honeycomb is likely to be an incremental upgrade to the Gingerbread, just as the Froyo (OS 2.2) was to the Eclair (OS 2.1)

While Android-lovers still await details of Google’s Gingerbread (OS 3.0), it is impossible at this stage to predict what features the Honeycomb will carry. Android Gingerbread itself is believed to be specifically meant for tablet devices. According to a recent story we published on the upcoming Android 3.0 Gingerbread tablets, is is speculated that Android 2.2 and future versions would continue running on low-end smartphones of the future, while tablets would run Gingerbread and above. If that is the case, we are going to see leaks about several upcoming Android Honeycomb tablets very soon, and none at all about any mobile phones running Honeycomb.

Others predict that the Honeycomb will be more than just a features tweak for Android tablets. Their logic is based on reports that indicate that Google plans to fix minimum requirements, such as the processor speed, screen size and memory capacity, for post-Gingerbread devices and that the OS 3.1 will be used in standard smartphones. So anything higher should come with more goodies.

The choice of name could very well be just a random pick like Google’s earlier edible choices or could be indicative of the Honeycomb’s functional honeycomb design, which allows the sectioning off of specific elements. If this is true, it might put an end to the frustration of users who wait endlessly for operators to test new operating systems and incorporate specific features into them.

No confirmation of Honeycomb’s technical specifications is likely for at least a couple of months or at least till Google officially unveils Android Gingerbread (likely by the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011). Toshiba and Samsung tablets are expected to feature the 3.0 OS, which has been specifically designed for speedy processors and high-resolution displays.

Thing to watch out for: How the upcoming Honeycomb devices will match up to Google’s Chrome OS tablets, which are expected to be out this November and how market responds to two tablets by the same manufacturer. Related: HTC Google Chrome OS tablet

Google refuses to comment on Honeycomb rumours at this point in time.