Google to have in-depth Android 3.0 event next week [U]
updated 06:00 pm EST, Fri January 28, 2011
Google Android 3 event due next week
(Update: official) Google said Friday evening that it will dive deeply into Android 3.0 at a special event next week. A presentation at Google's campus on Wednesday will explore more than what was seen at CES. While the exact focus wasn't given, there would be both hands-on time and demos after the main event.
The invitation is for the press, but for what purposes wasn't clear. Google has already shown Android 3.0 multiple times, whether at the D: Dive Into Mobile conference, the official CEA keynote at CES this year or the unveiling of the Motorola Xoom. It may be used to show more features than what was seen before or just to show a working implementation.
The demo may be used to try and dispel suspicions that the OS isn't ready for the Xoom with two or three weeks to go. Motorola downplayed talk of delays during its conference call but also said there could be "modest variation" in the ship date past its February target. Other Android 3.0 tablets aren't shipping at the same time, however, and the relatively early LG G-Slate might not arrive until late March where others don't arrive until June or later.
The OS is a radical break for Google and puts almost all control on the screen rather than buttons. It now has a windowing system for legacy apps and brings in new features like Gmail video chat.
