Android 3.0 Honeycomb first look March 2011

Android 3.0 Honeycomb explained

Android 3.0, also known by its codename 'Honeycomb', is Google's official tablet operating system. It’s designed to compete with the Apple iPad 2, just as Android smartphones compete with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4.

Unlike Apple’s iPad operating system (iOS), Android 3.0 is free to use by any manufacturer. Numerous small and big-name manufacturers have announced Android 3.0 tablets for this year. The first Android tablet to be launched in the UK will be the Motorola Xoom, which is due to go on sale in April. In our video below we tried Android 3.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which will be released later this year. Read on for our first impressions of the interface.

Want to know more about tablets? Read our free in-depth Tablet Buyers’ Guide.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb first look video review

Android 3.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is typical of most Android tablets due to be launched later this year. It’s got a 10-inch display with a 1,280 x 800 resolution – the same as many laptops. It’s actually a higher resolution than the iPad 2, and has a more widescreen video friendly 16:10 aspect ratio – the iPad 2 has a 4:3 aspect similar to old CRT TVs and PC monitors.

Like the iPad 2, inside the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has a dual-core processor. Though the precise specification is subject to change, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 will feature front and rear-facing cameras, and stereo speakers. For more information, watch our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 hands-on video.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb interface

Like Android on mobile phones, Android 3.0 features several home screens you can switch between by swiping left and right on the touchscreen. These can be filled with shortcuts to apps, and widgets. A widget could be anything from live weather updates or a preview of your calendar appointments, to a preview of YouTube videos or a live feed from a social network – there are numerous different widgets already built-in, including one for email.

In this much Android 3.0 is similar to the mobile version, albeit on a much larger screen that can display more information usefully. However, compared to the iOS operating system on the iPad 2, Android 3.0 has a slightly more computer-like feel to it. For example, a kind of taskbar runs along the bottom of the screen that features permanent touch controls, notifications from open apps and a digital clock.

Tapping on the clock opens playback controls if you're listening to music, and from here you can quickly switch off wi-fi or adjust the screen brightness. In the bottom left of the screen are a trio of permanent touch buttons: one for going back one step; one to return to the home screen; and one that shows what apps are running, and from which you can switch quickly between them. The navigation buttons are always at the bottom of the screen, no matter which way round you hold the tablet.

Watch the video above for a demonstration of the Android 3.0 interface and dedicated applications for music, photos and YouTube.

For more Android tablets, read all about the Top 10 best Android tablets to look out for.

Chrome browser and built-in search

Another common feature of the interface is the Google search bar. It sits in the top left corner on home screens, so can be accessed very quickly. You can search using the on-screen keyboard, or use voice recognition – the latter works well provided you pronounce words clearly.

Running a web search automatically launches the Chrome web browser. In keeping with the main Android 3.0 interface, the web browser closely resembles the PC version of the browser. Tabs (open webpages) are listed at the top of the screen, and you can search directly from the address bar. This interface works well to a point, but we found closing tabs difficult due to the small 'x' icons and vicinity to the edge of the screen where touch sensitivity is least accurate.

Adobe Flash support

One major bonus of Android 3.0 is that it supports Adobe Flash, the format used for the majority of web videos, games and some applications. Or at least it will once Adobe releases the latest version, which should be available before most Android 3.0 tablets are released. This is an advantage over the Apple iPad 2, which doesn't support Flash.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb first impressions

If you've wanted to buy a tablet, but were unwilling to buy an Apple product, Android 3.0 is what you've been waiting for. Though it lacks a little polish compared to iOS (the iPad operating system), it doesn't take long to get to grips with the basic navigation. Like the mobile version, Honeycomb is more flexible and customisable than the iPad. This should suit more technically minded people, though the learning curve for novices is steeper.

Where Android suffers at present is its small collection of tablet apps. Apple already has a large collection (approx. 65,000), while Android tablet apps number in just the hundreds. Mobile apps do work on Android 3.0, but they're not designed perfectly for the larger screen. It may take several months before more choice is available, so only early-adopters need apply right now. On the whole, though, Android 3.0 looks to be an impressive tablet operating system. We'll be reviewing the first wave of Android 3.0 tablets as soon as they come out.

You may also be interested in:

• Apple iPad 2 first look review and video
• Top 5 tablets at Mobile World Congress 2011
• Best tablets at CES 2011