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Android: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair. I still find it funny that all the major updates are named after deserts. I also find it awesome that a new foody statue is place on the Google Campus right before an update announcement. I do however, find it disturbing that the next update will probably be called “Flan.” Right now though, the desert on everyone’s lips is Eclair, also known as Android 2.0.

With the impending launch of the first Android 2.o device, the Motorola Droid, Google has let loose whats in the filling of Eclair. And boy is it rich.

Here are some of my favorite features:

• Upgraded contacts/email with Social skills - You can now add multiple email accounts and sync the contact lists together. A new API will allow developers to create add-ins for other networks (like Twitter and Facebook) that will sync to your main contact list (you can pick and choose who you want to merge, not an all or nothing feature like the Pre). A quick contact feature will provide easy access to all the communication methods of a contact by tapping the user’s picture. The Email app will fit all of your accounts’ email neatly into one inbox, a feature my boyfriend doesn’t like, but I do. He’s been betrayed by AT&T and the iPhone, it will take some time to convert him 100%.
• Supercharged camera app – The camera on my G1 is abysmal, but the camera app on 1.6 (Donut) made it a little better. Camera app  Eclair edition, adds support for hardware flash, color correction, white balance, scene mode, zoom control, and macro focus.
• Improved Virtual Keyboard – Another problem with Android is that the virtual keyboard sucks. For awhile I was using a keyboard replacement app called touchPal, which worked great, but it wasn’t native and hung up a lot. The reason the iPhone keyboard rules is that the screen is bigger, the keys are visually spaced better, and there is behind the scenes magic that makes the key press area bigger or smaller depending on what key it thinks you want to tap next. Eclair promises multi-touch support, better key press accuracy, and a better auto-learning dictionary. I’m already excited.
• A Better Browser – Included with a UI refresh are bookmarks with thumbnail views, double-tap zoom, and HTML5 with <video> tag support for fullscreen. That means when you come across an html 5 video element, you can tap on the element and it will play fullscreen just like any other video. Flash 10 is coming, so expect a full and rich browser experience on 2.0.
• Bluetooth Boost – Bluetooth is already enabled on Android, but there haven’t been any other profiles added besides Stereo headset support. Eclair adds OPP (Object Push Profile) letting you send files to and from, and P2p support, meaning you can play multiplayer games over a bluetooth connection. There is also phonebook access via bluetooth, good for those car sync apps that let you scroll through your contacts in the dashboard.
• Kick Ass Calendar – The calender app was always sweet before, but now it got even better with the ability to invite people to events, and to see the attending status of those invited.  It made no flippin sense why Android left that feature out so far, but I’m glad they had the sense to do it now.
• API’s API’s API’s - an API is a set of tools and functions developers use to add functionality. One of the notable additions to 2.0 is broad multitouch support, up to 3 fingers. That means that apps can include swipes, pinches, and rotations in their apps.

I’ve been playing with the Android 2.0 Emulator inside the SDK, and so far I really like the additions. While I haven’t had my hands on a Droid to give it a real work over (the SDK Emulator lacks some key Google apps like maps, Gmail, and the Market), Boy Genius and Engadget are pretty pleased with the turnout. Plus, the biggest thing to be announced today was Google’s own GPS turn-by-turn navigation app, which immediately caused stocks of Garmin and Tom Tom to plummet.

Verizon’s first Google android phone will drop November 6th, for $199 with a two year contract. check out the Verizon Droid Mini Site to get a good look at this sexy new phone.

Not that I’m too terribly interested about the iPhone, but seeing as Verizon is set to carry at least 3 unique Android phones by early 2010, this bit of information came with a beard scratch and a “hmmmmm.” I was recently told very nonchalantly by an unknown informer, who happens to be a Verizon reseller, that the iPhone would show up in his store in February 2010. That’s all, nothing more.  Chew on it, and now let me get back to the imminent Android takeover.

The reason for the beard scratch is this: Android and iPhone are pretty much platform enemies.. and with the recent advertising campaign launched by Verizon, it almost seems like they are snubbing the iPhone completely. Rumors of Verizon carrying the iPhone have been out longer than the now true rumors of VZW getting Android; will VZW be the first step of the mass exodus for iPhone lovers fleeing the constantly overloaded AT&T Network? And if so, is that just a ploy to get them to eventually realize the iPhone isn’t right for them, and move to one of Verizon’s “Droids?”  The Carrier Wars are getting ramped up once again: VZW and “Droid,” T-Mobile and “Project Dark,” AT&T and “We’re still the best, despite when we aren’t,” and then Sprint with “Shit the Pre bombed, um hows that Android contract going?” 2010 will be the year of Android pushing its way into every carriers catalog, and I’m thinking that Windows Mobile will never be able to catch up, and the iPhone will become the Razr of Decade Two.

This is admittedly  biased, but give it a though, eh?