An open platform for smartphones from the Open Handset Alliance (www.openhandsetalliance.com). Based on Linux and Java, Android owners can download and install applications without being tied to a single vendor conduit as are iPhone users with the App Store (see Android Market). Android uses a touch screen and includes multitasking, which enables apps to run in the background so that users can be notified of incoming messages or other events. Due to its backing by Google, Android is expected to make serious inroads in the smartphone market.
The Google Phone
Google is the primary developer of the platform, having acquired Android, Inc. in 2005, a startup that developed the software. Before Android's debut in late 2007, Google was expected to announce its own "Google phone." Instead, it launched the platform for others to make and service, and in less than a year, T-Mobile introduced the G1, the first Android phone. Sprint also joined the Android alliance, but thus far not Verizon and AT&T, the latter two comprising more than half the cellular subscribers in the U.S. See smartphone, Open Handset Alliance and HTC.
First Android - The G1
In September 2008, T-Mobile introduced the G1, the first Android-based phone. Known as the Dream phone by manufacturer HTC, the G1 features a touch screen and physical keyboard along with GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G cellular data and a 3.2 megapixel camera. The screen slides off side to reveal the keyboard. (Image courtesy of HTC Corporation, www.htc.com)
Android Magic - The G2
In 2009, HTC introduced the HTC Magic, the second Android-based phone. Dubbed the G2 by users and initially targeted for the European market, HTC dropped the physical keyboard for a touch screen a la iPhone. It added a physical Google search button and several enhancements, including video capture and increased battery life. (Image courtesy of HTC Corporation, www.htc.com)
The Google Phone
Google is the primary developer of the platform, having acquired Android, Inc. in 2005, a startup that developed the software. Before Android's debut in late 2007, Google was expected to announce its own "Google phone." Instead, it launched the platform for others to make and service, and in less than a year, T-Mobile introduced the G1, the first Android phone. Sprint also joined the Android alliance, but thus far not Verizon and AT&T, the latter two comprising more than half the cellular subscribers in the U.S. See smartphone, Open Handset Alliance and HTC.
First Android - The G1
In September 2008, T-Mobile introduced the G1, the first Android-based phone. Known as the Dream phone by manufacturer HTC, the G1 features a touch screen and physical keyboard along with GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G cellular data and a 3.2 megapixel camera. The screen slides off side to reveal the keyboard. (Image courtesy of HTC Corporation, www.htc.com)
Android Magic - The G2
In 2009, HTC introduced the HTC Magic, the second Android-based phone. Dubbed the G2 by users and initially targeted for the European market, HTC dropped the physical keyboard for a touch screen a la iPhone. It added a physical Google search button and several enhancements, including video capture and increased battery life. (Image courtesy of HTC Corporation, www.htc.com)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-05
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-04
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- Discussion threads 2009-11-03
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