What is the Difference Between Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)?

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Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) are two mobile phone operating systems from Google Android, with the latter being the newer version. Some key differences between the two include:

  1. User Interface: Gingerbread introduced a more distinctive design for Android, with the color green becoming an integral part of the operating system's appearance. Eclair, on the other hand, had a less refined design.
  2. Copy and Paste: Gingerbread introduced the ability to easily copy and paste text within most apps, while Eclair lacked this functionality and required manual copying.
  3. Speech-to-Text and Voice Navigation: Eclair brought live wallpapers, the first speech-to-text function, and voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation to Android. Gingerbread did not introduce significant improvements in these areas.
  4. Network Support: Eclair added support for CDMA networks like Verizon, which played a key role in Android's expansion. Gingerbread did not introduce major changes in network support.
  5. mobile experience: Eclair provided a better and improved experience compared to the previous Android Donut 1.6 version, while Gingerbread further enhanced the user experience.

In summary, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) introduced refinements to the user interface and added the ability to easily copy and paste text, while Android 2.1 (Eclair) brought speech-to-text functionality and voice-guided navigation to Android.

Comparative Table: Android 2.1 (Eclair) vs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Here is a table comparing the differences between Android 2.1 (Eclair) and Android 2.3 (Gingerbread):

Feature Android 2.1 (Eclair) Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
API Level 7 9
NDK Release 3 5
Sensor Management Basic support for sensors Improved support for sensors
User Interface Early Android interface First true visual identity for Android
Virtual Keyboard @kexin: Add info about virtual keyboard differences, if any.

Please note that the information available on the differences between Android 2.1 and 2.3 is limited, and the table may not be exhaustive.