Google May Launch Android 5.0 in Q2 2012

Already had your fill of Ice Cream Sandwich? Good, because a DigiTimes report claims that Google is preparing to launch Android 5.0 in the second quarter of 2012. According to the report, Android OS Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) has fallen short of original expectations, most likely due to the slow release of the update for various devices, hence the quick turnaound for Android 5.0.

Google will launch the next major version of the Android OS, with the rumored codename Jelly Bean, in order to head off competition from Windows 8. Apparently, Android 5.0 will be even more tablet friendly than its predecessor, and Google will push manufacturers to create dual-boot devices that can switch between Android and Windows on the fly without the need to power down. How will they accomplish this? Well, according to the report, "Google will also integrate its Chrome system functions to push dual-operating system designs."

But perhaps most interesting is that the new version of the Android OS will can be installed for a dual boot on not just tablets, but also notebooks and netbooks. Keeping mind that Android OS is designed specifically for smartphones and tablets -- and the fact that Google already has a presence in the notebook market in the form of its Chrome OS -- this is probably the most suspicious part of the report.

As with other DigiTimes reports, take it with a large grain of salt.

Source: DigiTimes