What is Android or Android Phone

What is Android?

About Android:

Android is an operating system intended for  mobile devices such as smart phones and tablet computers and more recently used in car other electronic devices such as media players, VOIP phones, Car dashboards and even refrigerators and Micro Waves. It is developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google.

In the beginning:

Before 2007, Android would have meant a completely different topic, a robot built in the image of humans.

Google purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. The Open handset alliance led by Google itself consisting of major tech companies was created to further the OS.

The first commercial product was the T-Mobile G1 smartphone manufactured by HTC. It was released October 2008 for T-mobile. It had the Android OS platform version 1.0. The OS lacked many of the refinements that the current day versions have. In fact the phone saw a major improvement in performance when it was updated with OS version 1.5 (Cupcake).

The 1.5 update brought in many enhancements like automatic screen orientation using the accelerometer and improved Bluetooth functionality.

The phone got mixed reviews. Cnet commented that the Phone was not really suitable for mainstream consumers and business users.

Evolution:

Android from then and now has evolved into a much refined platform for mobile devices. Due to the open source nature of the OS, It has been used as the OS of choice for various electronic instruments.

There have been many releases of the OS, some bringing incremental updates to functionality and stability and other like 3.x versions which were released for devices with huge screen sizes a.k.a tablets.

Below are the versions (source: Wikipedia)

2.0 Eclair included a new web browser, with a new user interface and support for HTML5 and the W3C Geolocation API. It also included an enhanced camera app with features like digital zoom, flash, color effects, 

and more.

2.1 Eclair included support for voice controls throughout the entire OS. It also included a new launcher, with 5 home screens instead of 3, animated backgrounds, and a button to open the menu (instead of a slider). It also included a new weather app, and improved functionality in the Email and Phonebook apps.

2.2 Froyo introduced speed improvements with JIT optimization and the Chrome V8 JavaScript engine, and added Wi-Fi hotspot tethering and Adobe Flash support

2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste features, SIP support (VoIP calls), and added support for Near Field Communication

3.0 Honeycomb was a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and introduces many new user interface features, and supports multi-core processors and hardware acceleration for graphics. The Honeycomb SDK has been released and the first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.

3.1 Honeycomb was announced at the 2011 Google I/O on 10 May 2011. One feature focuses on allowing Honeycomb devices to directly transfer content from USB devices.

3.2 Honeycomb released at July 15 2011, is "an incremental release that adds several new capabilities for users and developers". Highlights include optimization for a broader range of screen sizes; new "zoom-to-fill" screen compatibility mode; capability to load media files directly from the SD card; and an extended screen support API, providing developers with more precise control over the UI.

Current status :


As of JULY 2011, android was clocking 550,000 device activation's per day. At this rate, in a couple of years, the number of android phones can well be larger than the total population.


It could well be to the tune of 1,000,000 devices per day by the end of the year. There are now 99 Million android devices active.


More android phones are being sold than the number of iPhones now. Android being open source, it is the choice of the open source community and a lot a device manufacturers.


The tight integration of other popular Google services like search, Google maps, Navigation etc are added benefits for the consumer.


Android Apps Ecosystem:


The large number of android devices has ensured a large developer community for the Android platform. Android applications also called as apps SDK has enabled easy development of applications and publishing them to the android market.


As of July 2011, there are more than 250,000 applications in the Android market.


Free applications are mostly powered by the in app advertisements that provide sustenance for the multitude of developers.


As a result of this, there had been more than 6 Billion app installs from the market.


Link to the android app market on the web : https://market.android.com/


Apart from the official app store there are also other app stores like the Amazon app store and app brain.


How to download/install apps on your Android phone?


What is android market ?


The Android application can be downloaded from the market link given above to the device linked to the same Google account .


Also the applications can be downloaded in the phone itself using the market app (screen shot below).


Amazon app store and app brain also provide their own web interfaces and android application for downloading apps.

Official Android market app

Devices with Android Platform (Source: CNET):

Device	Comments	OS version
T-Mobile G1	First-ever Android device; had quirky design elements like the swing-out keyboard	1
T-Mobile MyTouch 3G	First device with 1.5; debuted with Exchange support	1.5 (Cupcake)
HTC Hero	First CDMA Android phone; offered HTC Sense interface	1.5
Samsung Moment	First Android handset with a slider design; lacked camera-editing options	1.5
Motorola Cliq	Debut of MotoBlur interface; first Motorola Android phone	1.5
Motorola Droid	First Verizon Android device, and first appearance of Eclair	2.0 (Eclair)
HTC Droid Eris	One of the earliest phones to offer pinch-to-zoom multitouch; first under $100 price point	1.5
Samsung Behold II	Used Samsung's TouchWiz interface and offered new media player; not upgradable past OS 1.6	1.5
HTC Nexus One	Sold unlocked through Google's direct sales channel; first Android 2.1 phone	2.1
Motorola Devour	First device that debuted with Donut; called the Droid's "little brother"	1.6 (Donut)
Motorola Backflip	First AT&T Android phone; had awkward design with "Backtrack" feature on rear side	1.5
Motorola Cliq XT	Upgrade to the Cliq; replaced physical keyboard with virtual keyboard and Swype	1.5
HTC Droid Incredible	"Blazingly fast" processor and loaded feature set; won CNET's Editors' Choice Award	2.1
LG Ally	LG's Android debut in the United States; included LG Socialite app	2.1
HTC Evo 4G	First 4G phone in the United States; offers a mobile hot-spot feature and HDMI port	2.1
MyTouch 3G Slide	Update to original MyTouch 3G; featured T-Mobile's custom interface	2.1
Garminfone	Robust GPS integration; much improved over its G60 predecessor	1.6
HTC Aria	Based on HD Mini design; like most AT&T Android phones, it didn't permit third-party app downloads	2.1
Motorola Droid X	Offered broad multimedia features and revamped MotoBlur interface	2.1
Motorola i1	First Android device with iDEN, and first handset with a prepaid carrier	1.5
Samsung Vibrant	Part of the Samsung Galaxy S series; came with a full-length copy of "Avatar"	2.1
Samsung Captivate	Second Galaxy S phone; AT&T's best Android offering to date	2.1
Samsung Acclaim	First Android device for U.S. Cellular; positioned as a budget model	2.1
Samsung Intercept	Not compatible with Sprint's 4G network; positioned as a budget model	2.1
Motorola Droid 2	Similar to the Droid X but with a physical keyboard; first device to ship with Froyo	2.2 (Froyo)
Samsung Epic 4G	Only Galaxy S phone to have physical keyboard; featured Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 interface	2.1
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10	Sony Ericsson's first Android phone; featured company's Timescape feature and UXP interface	1.6
HTC Desire	Based on the Nexus One design; second U.S. Cellular phone	2.1
Sanyo Zio	First Android device for Sanyo/Kyocera and first for Cricket Wireless	1.6
Motorola Charm	Featured a square design with a roomy keybaord but a small, crowded display	2.1
Samsung Fascinate	Last Galaxy S series phone for "big four" carriers; features Bing search and maps	2.1
Dell Aero	Dell's first Android phone, but that's about it	1.5
T-Mobile G2	Update to original G1; first T-Mobile phone built for carrier's HSPA+ network	2.2
Samsung Transform	First handset with Sprint ID feature	2.1
Sanyo Zio	First Android device for Sanyo/Kyocera; features Sprint ID	2.1
Samsung Intercept	First Virgin Mobile Android phone	2.1
Motorola Flipout	Square design with swivel opening	2.1
HTC Wildfire	Entry-level device with bargain price	2.1
Samsung Mesmerize	Part of the Galaxy S series; featured Samsung's TouchWiz 3.0 interface	2.1
T-Mobile MyTouch 4G	Next in MyTouch series; supports T-Mobile's HSPA+ network	2.2
LG Optimus T	First handset in LG's entry-level Optimus series	2.2
Motorola Defy	Rugged design; features revamped MotoBlur interface	2.1
LG Optimus S	Sprint's Optimus model; features Sprint ID	2.2
Motorola Droid Pro	Offers enhanced security features for business users and a mobile hot spot	2.2
Samsung Continuuim	Part of the Galaxy S series; features a second "ticker" display	2.1
LG Vortex	Part of the Optimus series; features Bing search and maps	2.2
Motorola Citrus	A beginner Android devices; features Bing search and maps	2.1
Motorola Bravo	Includes DLNA support; features revamped MotoBlur interface	2.1
Motorola Flipside	Slider design with physical keyboard; features revamped MotoBlur interface	2.1
T-Mobile Comet	Free with a two-year contract; available with prepaid plans	2.2
Motorola Droid 2 Global	Similar to Droid 2, but with world-roaming capabilities	2.2
LG Apex	Similar to Verizon's LG Ally; has a full physical keyboard	2.1
LG Optimus M	First Android device for MetroPCS; part of the Optimus series	2.2
LG Optimus U	Free with a two-year contract; part of the Optimus series	2.2
Samsung Nexus S	Follow-up to Nexus One; delivers stock Android interface; sold unlocked; first device with Gingerbread	2.3 (Gingerbread)
HTC Evo Shift 4G	Follow-up to the HTC Evo 4G; compact design but includes a physical keyboard; cheaper than Sprint's previous 4G phones	2.2
Motorola Cliq 2	Update to the first Cliq; has a larger displayand a redesigned keyboard	2.2
LG Optimus V	Yet another model in the Optimus line; competitively priced without a contract	2.2
HTC Inspire 4G	Offers a mobile hot spot and an excellent 8-megapixel camera; runs on the carrier's HSPA+ network	2.2
Samsung Galaxy Indulge	Part of the Samsung Galaxy series; first Android phone for MetroPCS' LTE network	2.2
Samsung Galaxy S 4G	Update to Samsung Vibrant but with a larger battery; supports T-Mobile's HSPA+ network	2.2
Motorola Atrix 4G	Has a dual-core processor and support for the carrier's HSPA+ network; compatible with the Motorola Laptop Dock	2.2
HTC ThunderBolt	Supports Verizon's 4G LTE network for incredible fast data speeds; can deliver simultaneous voice and data	2.2
Kyocera Echo	Has two screens that can combine to form one 4.7-inch display	2.2
Samsung Gem	Budget device with a compact design	2.2
Samsung Sidekick 4G	Reinvents the Sidekick line with a familiar design and features; supports T-Mobile's HSPA+ network	2.2
Samsung Galaxy Prevail	Boost Mobile's second Android phone; minimal features in an agreeable design	2.2
T-Mobile G2X	CNET Editor's Choice winner; has a dual-core processor; HSPA+ support and a sharp display	2.2
HTC Droid Incredible 2	Update to Droid Incredible; offers world roaming	2.2
Samsung Droid Charge	A 4G LTE device with longer battery life than on the ThunderBolt.	2.2
Samsung Replenish	Made from recycled and recyclable material.	2.2
Samsung Infuse 4G	Marketed as the thinnest smartphone available in the U.S.; supports AT&T's "4G" network.	2.2
Samsung Nexus S 4G	Sprint's version of the Nexus S adds WiMax support.	2.3
LG Phoenix	Another model in the Optimus line, the Phoenix is an entry-level device.	2.2
LG Thrive	The Thrive is identical to the Phoenix, though it's available only through AT&T's prepaid service.	2.2
Motorola Droid X2	Features a qHD display and a dual-core processor for faster performance.	2.2
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play	As Sony's long-awaited "PlayStation phone," the Xperia Play integrates a phone and a gaming device.	2.3
HTC Merge	Includes a SIM card slot for international roaming; has a bulky design.	2.2
LG Revolution VS910	Verizon's third LTE device has a great display and a 1GHz processor. Uses Bing instead of Google.	2.2
HTC Sensation 4G	CNET Editors' Choice winner; offers a loaded feature set and excellent performance.	2.3
Pantech Crossover	You'll find a physical keyboard, but only entry-level features.	2.2
HTC Evo 3D	Upgrade to the HTC Evo; features a glasses-free 3D display and can capture 3D photos and video.	2.3
Motorola XPRT	Like the Droid Pro, it has a physical keyboard and enterprise-level security features.	2.2
Samsung Gravity Smart	An update to the Gravity T, it offers a physical keyboard and a slider design.	2.2
Samsung Dart T499	The definition of an entry-level smartphone, the Dart is free with service.	2.2
LG Genesis US760	Based on the LG EnV series, the Genesis flips open to expose a full keyboard.	2.2
HTC Status	The "Facebook phone" is hampered by a tiny landscape-oriented screen.	2.3
T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide	Sports an 8-megapixel camera with impressive multimedia performance.	2.3
Motorola Droid 3	Despite an improved keyboard, Gingerbread, a dual-core processor, and a better camera, it's not worth the upgrade.	2.3
Motorola Titanium	Runs on the iDEN network; supports Nextel's Direct Connect, but lacks 3G.	2.1
Motorola Triumph	With high-end features and zippy performance, it's Virgin Mobile's best Android phones to date.	2.2
Motorola Photon 4G	Sprint's answer to the Moto Atrix, the Photon 4G offers just about every feature you'd want plus support for a number of accessories.	2.3

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