Android is an open source operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
It is an initiative of the Open Handset Alliance - a group of about 80 firms (including Google - which bought the Android mobile software company in 2005 - as well as HTC, Dell, Motorola and Samsung) dedicated to an open software platform that can be altered and used by any of its members in their mobile gadgets. The idea is that a larger user base increases diversity and theoretically the quality of the Android operating system.
Android and the alliance present a challenge to those companies making mobiles that run on their own, proprietary software such as Apple with its iPhone/iPad, Microsoft and until recently Nokia.
The Android software has all the basics of an operating system, and developers can use a supplied "software development kit" to build applications that draw on any of the phone or tablet's core functions, such as the ability to take photos, make calls and send texts.
A good example is an application that lets you make video calls, drawing on both the camera and calling functions.
Apple also lets developers make apps (software) for its iPhones, iPad and iPod Touch devices, but requires all apps be approved by it before they can be distributed through its iTunes store. Android developers can distribute their apps through Google's Android market or independently.
Android's advance
Major Milestones
November 2007: Open Handset Alliance announces Android.
September 2008: Android software development kit released, world's first Android- powered phone, the G1, is announced.
October 2008: Android Market goes live, Android source code released.
November 2009: The Motorola Droid, an Android phone, makes a strong debut - selling 100,000 units in the first weekend.
January 2010: Google unveils the Nexus One - an Android phone built entirely by the search giant that did not live up to the hype.
May 2010: Google TV, which integrates Android and Google's web browser software Chrome, is unveiled.
September 2010: The Samsung Galaxy tablet computer arrives. The Android tab is the first credible challenger to Apple's iPad.
October 2010: Android Market ticks over 100,000 apps.
December 2010: Quarterly shipments of Android smartphones outnumber those of other smartphone platforms, including Nokia and Apple, for the first time. Research firm Canalys said Android shipments reached 32.9 million over October to December.
source. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4686944/All-about-Android
It is an initiative of the Open Handset Alliance - a group of about 80 firms (including Google - which bought the Android mobile software company in 2005 - as well as HTC, Dell, Motorola and Samsung) dedicated to an open software platform that can be altered and used by any of its members in their mobile gadgets. The idea is that a larger user base increases diversity and theoretically the quality of the Android operating system.
Android and the alliance present a challenge to those companies making mobiles that run on their own, proprietary software such as Apple with its iPhone/iPad, Microsoft and until recently Nokia.
The Android software has all the basics of an operating system, and developers can use a supplied "software development kit" to build applications that draw on any of the phone or tablet's core functions, such as the ability to take photos, make calls and send texts.
A good example is an application that lets you make video calls, drawing on both the camera and calling functions.
Apple also lets developers make apps (software) for its iPhones, iPad and iPod Touch devices, but requires all apps be approved by it before they can be distributed through its iTunes store. Android developers can distribute their apps through Google's Android market or independently.
Android's advance
Major Milestones
November 2007: Open Handset Alliance announces Android.
September 2008: Android software development kit released, world's first Android- powered phone, the G1, is announced.
October 2008: Android Market goes live, Android source code released.
November 2009: The Motorola Droid, an Android phone, makes a strong debut - selling 100,000 units in the first weekend.
January 2010: Google unveils the Nexus One - an Android phone built entirely by the search giant that did not live up to the hype.
May 2010: Google TV, which integrates Android and Google's web browser software Chrome, is unveiled.
September 2010: The Samsung Galaxy tablet computer arrives. The Android tab is the first credible challenger to Apple's iPad.
October 2010: Android Market ticks over 100,000 apps.
December 2010: Quarterly shipments of Android smartphones outnumber those of other smartphone platforms, including Nokia and Apple, for the first time. Research firm Canalys said Android shipments reached 32.9 million over October to December.
source. http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/4686944/All-about-Android
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