You Must Surely Know What Android Is, Right?
If you’re the type of person who is immersed in tech culture news, then I’m sure you’ve at least heard about Android. But for the rest of the planet who may not visit Gizmodo or Engadget (or the millions of other blog and online news sources) on a daily basis, then Android may sound like a distant relative of R2D2. This blog post is intended to explain what Android is and get you “geekd” up about it!
According to Wikipedia (one of the most reliable sources of information – head shaking no), Android is a software platform and operating system for mobile devices, based on the Linux kernel (a free open source operating system), developed by Google. It allows developers to write free, managed code in a Java-like language.
Even to a semi-tech smart cookie like me, this definition looks like binary code. To put it in “Smarter Than A Fifth Grader” language, Android is an opportunity to make a phone PERFECT for you. It’s an open platform that allows personalized functionality and applications on your phone (think bigger than Apple, think Apple Orchard).
We can all agree that Apple technology and gadgets slapped us in the gut and made us want to emulate those dancing shadows on their commercials. The iPhone and app store took mobile possibility and functionality one step further. But, the iPhone and App Store was merely the first step, albeit an important and necessary first step, but a first step nonetheless in changing the mobile world.
The smarty-pants’ at Google took the Android concept and initiated the Open Handset Alliance, a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies who have come together to accelerate innovation in mobile and offer consumers a richer, less expensive, and better mobile experience. Together “they” developed Android.
Last week, brilliance continued to be unveiled with the publishing Google’s 2007 patent about taking over the mobile industry. This patent could eliminate the need of long-term contracts with wireless carriers, putting the users in control of each call and data transfer they make. PC World opens up the realm of possibility here.
CE companies, HTC, Samsung, LG, SonyEricsson and Motorola have all hopped on the Android bandwagon and will begin selling Android-enabled phones starting in 2009. You may have even seen the HTC G1, as the first Android device hitting the market in late October. My advice would be to let early adopters do their early adopting jobs and look to purchase next year. You can check out some of the most anticipated features on video here.
If all of the promises and hype actually come to fruition, mobile will rule. Android will change your life.
Be excited about this.