Hands On With Android 2.3.4

Google last month announced an Android OS update to version 2.3.4. It was first rolled out to the Nexus S, and just yesterday became available for Nexus One phones. The update mostly contains a number of bug fixes, but its biggest new feature is support for video and voice chat with Google Talk.

We took a look at Android 2.3.4 on our Nexus One in the PCMag Labs. Unsure whether we'd have to download the update manually, we were pleasantly surprised to see that an over-the-air update was waiting for us when we turned on the phone.

Unfortunately, the update to the Nexus One lacks support for video and voice chat with Google Talk. This is understandable, as the Nexus One doesn't have a front-facing camera, but support for voice chat would have been welcome.

Since this update is mainly about bug fixes, we didn't notice much of a difference between this and the previous version of Android, 2.3.3. According to Google, bug fixes for Nexus One phones are said to include improved battery life, as well as improved GPS location and navigation accuracy for some users who had problems after updating to 2.3.3.

We did notice that a few apps appear to have been updated. The Web Browser and Gmail, for instance, both have new version numbers. We didn't notice any discernible difference in the apps themselves, though, so it is possible that it may just be more bug fixes.

Take a look at the slideshow above to see what's changed. And check back for a hands on look at video and voice chat with Google Talk on the Nexus S as soon as we get our hands on one.

About Our Expert

Alex Colon

Executive Editor, Reviews

My Experience

I’m PCMag’s executive editor of reviews, steering our coverage to make sure we're testing the products you're interested in buying and telling you whether they're worth it. I've been here for more than 10 years. I previously managed the consumer electronics reviews team, and before that, I covered mobile, smart home, and wearable technology for PCMag and Gigaom.

My Areas of Expertise

I’ve written hundreds of reviews of cell phones, fitness trackers, robot vacuums, smartwatches, and various other products.
I’ve also edited thousands of reviews and articles on consumer electronics technologies and products.

The Technology I Use

I’m writing this bio on my 24-inch blue iMac, which I initially bought for personal use, but quickly decided to use for work instead of my tiny, company-issued ThinkPad (sorry, IT team). The screen is big, bright, and sharp, and the speakers are surprisingly good considering how thin the machine is.

The other big screen in my life is a 65-inch LG C9 OLED TV. If you’re wondering whether OLED is worth the premium over LCD, I’m here to tell you that it is.

I’d be doing my beloved LG C9 a disservice if I didn’t have it hooked up to a capable sound system, so I have a Sonos Beam sitting on a media console underneath the TV, and two Sonos Ones set up as rear channels for surround sound. If you’re a Sonos user, I highly recommend adding the Sonos Sub to your setup. It’s definitely a little more expensive than it should be, but it's truly money well spent.

Of course, as an editor, I also do plenty of reading that isn’t related to work, and I love to sit down with a good, old-fashioned, paper-and-ink book. But when carrying a book isn’t convenient, I break out my first-generation Kindle Paperwhite, which is still working just fine nearly 10 years in.

With 15 years of experience in tech, Alex guides PCMag's product testing to help you decide what's worth buying and how to get the most out of it.

Read the latest from Alex Colon

Read full bio