All about Android: Everything there is to know!

Android is here. Everyone’s talking about it. But do you actually know the ins and outs? Read on, and we’ll fill in all the blanks, join the dots and instill enough Android knowledge to make you a Google-grade genius in no time!

1. Google makes the software, not the phones
You’ve probably heard people talk about “Google phones” or “Android phones,” but they’re misleading names, since all Google is responsible is the Android software that runs on the phones.

It’s an operating system, like Windows, or the Mac OS, and forms the foundation for the phone’s basic functions. It’s also platform that 3rd party applications sit on top of.

The phones themselves can be made by anyone. Google is releasing the Android software on an open source basis, so it’s available for all manufacturers to create handsets that run it. HTC have created the first Android phone, dubbed the HTC Dream and also released at the T-Mobile G1.

2. Android is evolving
Since Android is an open source operating system, anyone can tinker with its source code. That means it can be improved by its community of developers, not just Google itself. However, all improvements must be fed back into the community so everyone can benefit from it.

It’s likely network operators will craft their own add-ons for Android, but if they tweak the operating system, everyone will get a look at the changes they’ve made.

The advantage of this is that Google isn’t battling to improve Android on its own. The first version lacks support for any Bluetooth devices beyond hands-free kits, for example. With the power of Android’s development community all working on the problem, it’ll take next to no time before that’s fixed.

3. Android is risky
Google won’t (and can’t) restrict the applications that’re developed for Android. Since anyone can create any software they like there’s a risk of viruses, spyware and malware being released. That makes the Android platform much riskier than others, such as Apple’s iPhone. However, it’s no more risky than using a Windows PC. Expect virus checkers to be amongst the first paid-for software available for Android.

4. Android isn’t just for phones
Sure, Google originally kicked off the Android project to create an open source operating system for phones, but it’s moving fast and already some have claimed it’s finding its way into other device.

Imagine a car with the power of Android under the bonnet. The system is stable, fast, and ready to work with mobile signals, GPS and Bluetooth straight out of the box. What’s more, since Android will happily play back digital music and video files, it’s the perfect hub for in-car entertainment.

It’s simple to develop Android applications, and motor manufacturers could soon create tailored interfaces and programs to track down the nearest service centre, or petrol station, using the web without forking out their profits to mapping firms.

5. Android will run on almost anything
Android’s architecture is incredibly clever. Applications are written in a Java-esque language that runs on top of the main operating system. That means they’re not directly tied to the hardware they’re sitting on.

Google’s underlying code will play nicely with most mobile hardware. It’s even been spotted running on Nokia phones, which it was never designed for.

6. To touch or not to touch?
Android doesn’t care whether it’s running on a touchscreen phone or one that uses old-fashioned buttons. Google’s been careful to design the interface so that it’ll work with almost any mobile design. That means manufacturers are free to cater for all kinds of customers, without worrying about modifying the operating system first.

7. Patchy Java support
Most mobiles run Java applications happily, but not Android. Google’s system uses a non-standard version of the lightweight programming language, which means it’s incompatible with almost all existing mobile apps.

8. The mobile web, as Google wants it
Google’s motivation for creating Android is simple: the company wants to sell mobile ads. If it can make Android phones successful enough, it’ll have a massive user base ready to sell ads to through web pages that can be viewed in full through Android phones’ browsers.

Even more important, it’ll force manufacturers making phones that don’t run Android to adhere to its new “standards” for mobile web. That means supporting resolutions, certain plug-ins and even location-awareness. With all that in place, Google’s poised to make a killing from serving ads direct to your pocket.

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