What is Android?
Since I work in the tech industry, I get asked questions about technology and gadgets very frequently. Lately, you can’t watch any Television shows without seeing a commercial for a Google Android phone. So what is Android? Wikipedia describes Android as an operating system for touch based devices like smartphones and tablets. Android is a very customizable, multi-tasking operating system. As of September 2012 1.3 million Android devices are activated everyday. For perspective, the state of Main’s population was roughly 1.3 million in 2011.
Why Android?
Android is enticing to the handset makers due to the licensing from Google is free. There has been paten litigation brought against some handset manufactures claiming patent infringement of some of the functionality of android, resulting in licensing deals in some cases, and ongoing litigation in others. In some cases this has led to cross licensing agreements, allowing two handset manufacturers to share access to each others patents. In other cases, handset manufacturers have drawn a hard line in the sand, and are battling the claims in court.
The second reason handset manufactures are drawn to Android is its Open Source roots. Google provides the source code to the Android operating system, and the manufacturers are free to modify it to tailor the experience how it sees fit. This allows each manufacturer the ability to but their own style and increase their brand. It also allows for carrier customizations. This can be both a blessing and a curse The blessing is that these customizations can drive innovation and bring added functionality to customers. The curse is that these customizations are changes on top of the base Android code, so any update Google makes to the operating system, the manufacturers need to streamline their customizations into the new code and fully tested by themselves ad the carriers before being delivered to the customers..
App Ecosystems
Apple made made handset applications a household phenomena with their slogan “Theirs an app for Everything” and thus consumers are curious about applications or Apps on their phones. Google launched Android with their application marketplace Google Market, which has since seen a name change to the Google Play Store. This would only be licensed if the device was determined by Google to be up to their standards. This lead Amazon to launch their Amazon AppStore for Android. The Amazon AppStore for Android is a competing marketplace for users to acquire applications , both paid and free. Also some carriers have created their own marketplace for customers to purchase apps directly from them.
Hardware Features
- WiFi – Broad range wireless Local Area Network (LAN) connection
- Bluetooth – Mid-range wireless communication protocol for connecting devices such as headsets, headphones, microphones, keyboards, and mice
- Near Field Communication (NFC) – Very short range communication protocol for transferring information. Currently being developed for mobile payment applications.
- Wireless Charging – Qi and Power Matters Alliance are two competing standards that aim to allow you to charge a device without plugging a cord into them
- 3G –
- 4G
- WiMax – Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Once touted as the $G standard of the future, not being overlooked for LTE)
- LTE – Long Term Evolution (The future of cellular data transfer)
- HSPA – High Speed Packet Access (Speed boost of current 3G technologies, dubbed 4G for marketing purposes)
Conclusion
In summary, Android as an operating system for touch based devices like smartphones and tablets that id highly customizable. Android handsets are being activated in record numbers and are quickly becoming the dominant operating system in the mobile market. Check one out at your local carrier today.