First Android Build Shown to Mobile Phone Developers

This past week Google’s developer’s conference was one of the first demos of the Android mobile phone operating system.  Announced last year by the Open Handset Alliance, a group of mobile phone manufacturers and software houses who want to have one unilateral platform for all mobile phones to run on Android looks to be one of the most interesting revolutions in the Mobile phones market.

Being developed by Google the phones are highly likely to blend well with other Google-ware like the popular Maps service and Google Mail service.  The stand out feature is that the operating system is being designed to run on a wide range of mobile phones regardless of their feature set.  In a similar way to how PC operating systems are made to work on a wide range of computers with varying specifications Android will take advantage of specific phone features such as built in GPS and touch screen interfaces.

This past week had the operating system running on a touch screen unnamed handset and it was sporting a number of new features since it was last shown off earlier in the year.  One exciting feature was how the handset was unlocked; the user had to draw a specific shape on the touch screen to unlock the keypad.  Another feature took advantage of the GPS function by having an on screen compass which had been tried on other handsets such as the GPS enabled S60 phones offered by Nokia but attendees said the example shown by Google seemed to work much more fluidly than other attempts.

The decision to show off the software at their developers conference was obviously to entice the collective minds into coming up with some ideas for possible applications for their operating system, with it being open-source software, a factor popular with the programming masses, it looks promising that any mobile phones sporting Android’s operating system would have a lot to offer the stale mobile phones market.

Obviously a lot of comparisons were made between the software and Apple’s stand out mobile phone the iPhone, the interface seemed to bear some of the Apple hallmarks such as saving Youtube links as icons on the main screen and a touch based interface.

The Android operating system is currently nearing completion with handset manufacturers Motorola, HTC and Samsung all volunteering to use Android on their forth-coming mobile phones in the next year.

Android Looks Set to Exterminate the Mobile Phones Market

Many people have been waiting on baited breath for news from Google to make an official announcement about a rumoured “gPhone”, the internet search giant’s first attempt in the mobile phones industry.

This phone has been hotly tipped by industry insiders and internet geeks as the true opposition to Apple’s iPhone in the latest mobile phone war. Both companies have developed a perception of “hipness” in “techy” circles and seem likely to be direct competitors when getting the image-conscious buyer to buy the latest mobile gadget.

In early November this anticipation was dashed as Google, along with an alliance of mobile phone-related companies, declared its mobile phone project was not for a single handset. Rather, the company is planning to develop a platform, or operating system, that will allow greater functionality to all mobile phones. The formation of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), which includes such industry heavyweights as Samsung, Motorola, T-Mobile and O2’s parent Telephonica, is gathering to support Google’s venture, called Android.

Android is set to be the next multi-platform mobile software operating on many different handsets. It promises to bring not only an operating system but also middleware and key applications. Many of Google’s most popular applications like GMail and Google Maps already have mobile versions phone users can run through Java. Android intends to make applications like this more functional on mobile phones but also to provide a fuller internet experience on the go.

While mobile phones are seeing speed increases, they still struggle with web pages when browsing the internet with HSDPA and GPRS and often users are stuck having to view cut-down WAP pages instead. With the gathered intelligence from Google and other partners, the belief is that that all mobile phones will have the capability for full web browsing.

Aside from the internet focus, developers will be provided an easier platform to develop their applications for Android. Aside from Google’s own applications, it will be much simpler for independent software developers to make programs that not only work on multiple phones but also collaborate with other applications.

When asked at its announcement whether Android will turn into an actual gPhone in the future, Google said this is not a gPhone per se, but that Android provides the ideal breeding ground for their own mobile phones.

But while consumers are speculating over one particular phone they fail to see the possibility that Android will effectively create thousands of “gPhones”. So until the announcement of a specific Google-branded handset, everyone will just have to wait and drool over the fake pictures posted on websites for the next year or two.

More About Android Smartphones

The cat is out of the bag. Lifestyle gadget enthusiasts are whispering to one another the prospects of Google Android – a new OS that looks to be a strong contender against Apple’s iPhone. For years, Apple has had very little competition. The iPhone appeared to have dominated the mobile community, and to date, it’s still the most popular mobile gadget around.

One of the main reasons why the iPhone is so popular is because Apple allows third party developers to develop applications for the iPhone. The applications are then distributed through Apple’s website. This is a highly strategic business move adopted by Apple, and one that has proven to work very well.

This concept is not new. Other non mobile platforms have adopted a similar concept, and have achieved great success as well. For example, both MySpace and Facebook, 2 immensely popular social community sites, have launched their own developer platform. Like the iPhone, developers can develop third party applications on these platforms.

The trend is rather obvious – user generated application based on an open concept is in. The iPhone’s success didn’t go unnoticed. Google is a strong player looking to compete in this sphere.

Recently, lots of buzz has been generated on Google Android – a brand new mobile OS. The key difference between Google Android and the iPhone OS is that the Android is an open OS. That means the OS can be used on any phone, not just the iPhone. By limiting the OS to the iPhone, Apple had isolated the rest of the phone manufacturers.

For years now, Apple had the upper hand. They can charge whatever price they wish to charge, and fans will still pay because they can’t get a similar system anywhere else. Google Android is looking to change all that. By leveling the playing field, consumers now have more choices. For sure, the prices for mobile gadgets (i.e. smartphones), will plummet once the Android gets adopted by other smartphone manufacturers. Already, major brand names like HTC, Motorola, Samsung, LG and Sony Ericsson are working closely with the Open Handset Alliance (the company now running Google Android) to realize this goal.

Being such a new technology, and with limited developers, enthusiasts will have to bear with a great number of useless mobile apps that will be released in the first few years. This is a common trend because developers are mostly experimenting with the system to see what works and what doesn’t.

As the OS matures, and more and more developers jump on the band wagon to release applications, there will be more and more useful applications. Consumers may then enjoy the full benefits of having an open mobile OS.

T-Mobile’s G1, based on Google Android, is already enjoying a fair amount of success. For sure, a G2 looks set to be launched in the near future. Lenovo is also looking for a piece of the pie with its very own Lenovo oPhone. Mobile enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to.

Google Android

Come 2009, the Google Android will be seen on all major mobile phones. It was unveiled on November 5, 2008 but will come into use next year. Google will release the Android platform available under the Apache free-software and open-source license. That means abosloutely free to use.

What is Google Android ?
No, android is not a mobile phone which most people have assumed. But it is a operating system and software platform for mobile devices. It will based on the Linux operating system. Developrs can write applications using Java Programing languages. The Android will be jointly developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance.

In simple terms, it will be like Symbian and Windows Operating system found in mobile phones.

Features of Google Android

1. Android will supports all common media formats for videos, songs and pictures. Such as MPEG-4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPEG, PNG, GIF.

2. Network Capabilities – It will support all the present cell phone network providers namely GSM/EDGE, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS. It will also feature Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

3. Unlimited and diverse applications – Since its a freeware software, anyone can make applications using the java programming language and share it with others. This is the main and will be the most important selling point of google android.

4. Messaging features – Supports text and picture SMS, MMS and the new XMPP(directly contact with other people without any softwares like yahoo messanger or skype)

5. Google Android will provide enhanced utilization of GPS services combined with google maps. Very helpful in finding your way.

6. Display – The platform will be adaptable to all mobile phones display layouts. Provided it has a color screen and GPRS enabled.

How Google Integrates With the Android Phone

Google and T-Mobile have teamed up to create a new breed of cell phone. The T-Mobile G1 is the world’s first Android Phone. An “android” is traditionally defined as a robot with human qualities. Perhaps the name was chosen because of the capabilities of this new phone.

It’s known as the T-Mobile G1 Android, the Android Phone, the G1 Phone, or (more informally) the Google Phone.

The G1 Phone integrates fully with your Google accounts. Here are a few of the features and capabilities of this new cell phone:

An Android phone allows you to browse the Internet just as you would on a normal computer. It allows one to run several applications at the same time, on one phone. You can switch between applications, and you can also be notified when something new occurs on one of those applications. It allows you to chat and share photos on applications such as Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, etc. It allows you to copy URLs and share them with friends via a chat line, using a simple touch-screen interface.

The following Google applications can be accessed and used directly by the Android Phone:

Google Maps YouTube Gmail Contacts Calendar IM (Instant Message)

All of these Google applications will be available to you with a single logon – and they will automatically be synchronized with the web. What that means is that any change you make in one of your google accounts from your phone will also show up the next time you log on from any other computer.

For example, when you are out and about with your phone and you meet a new contact, you might want to save their contact information. All you do is save it into your Google Contacts on your G1 phone. That information will be available to you any time online, in your Gmail account, and in any other applicable Google account, and you can access it through any computer in the world which is connected to the Internet.

Any information you save on your phone in this way will appear on your computer as well – and vice-versa.

If you lose or break your phone, you won’t lose your information. Your data will be there waiting for you on your Google account, which you can access the next time you are online. And there is no need to worry about your information being stolen, as its password-protected.

Here is another example of the a use of a Google Android phone. Once you have a contact address saved into your Google account, you can easily find that location on a map – using Google Maps, of course. And what’s more, you can access street level events in any area where this is available.

This makes it a breeze to get directions to a new location! Simply find your contact on a a map with a couple of clicks, and use a street-level view to find your way if needed!

Another example of the use of the this phone is the integration of the cell phone with your Google Calendar. Any event you save on your Google Calendar will be available to you on your phone, wherever you are. So you can access your schedule easily, on the go and from anywhere, as long as you have your phone with you.

No more schedule books! And you can say goodbye to those tiny notebooks and pads of paper you carry around so that you can jot down notes and phone numbers.

What’s more, once you save information on your Android phone, there’s no need to transfer it over after you get home. Its all there, safely stored on your Google account, for ready access whenever you need it.