Google Inc. (GOOG) unveiled a new software platform for its
Android mobile devices on Wednesday, adding several new features to
the technology as it gears up for further battle with Apple Inc.
(AAPL) and others.
During a presentation at the Internet search giant's annual
developer conference, Google demonstrated new Android features such
as voice-activated typing on a device and audio responses to verbal
Internet searches.
The company also announced that some 400 million Android devices
have now been activated. Google says the new version of Android,
dubbed Jelly Bean, will be released starting in the middle of next
month.
The new software is "the fastest and smoothest version of
Android yet," said Google Android Product Management Director Hugo
Barra.
Google develops Android according to an open-source model that
makes use of outside engineering, and makes the technology
available for free to device makers.
Thanks to its recent purchase of device maker and long-time
Android partner Motorola Mobility, Google is expected to take a
more hands-on approach to tailoring its software to related
hardware.
Apple has long used a development model that includes both
in-house software and hardware engineering in tandem.
Write to John Letzing at john.letzing@dowjones.com