Google previews Android 3.0 "Honeycomb"

For the first time, Google has officially published details about the next major update to its open source Android mobile operating system, Android 3.0 code named "Honeycomb". Aimed at tablet computers, the first preview of Honeycomb comes as this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is taking place in Las Vegas.

According to Google VP of Engineering Andy Rubin, the next version of the Android platform is "designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets". Rubin says that the developers have spent much of their time refining the user experience in Honeycomb, noting that they have "developed a brand new, truly virtual and holographic user interface". Building on Android's existing features, multi-tasking has been improved, as have notifications and the Android Market client.