It's No T-800, Model 101, But It Will Do.

The post is guest blogged by the
Android Guys and is providing a
brief overview of what the new
Android is all about. This post is
part 1 of 2 in what we shall call
the Android series.


Android is the open source operating system that will be implemented into handsets and mobile devices starting second half of 2008. Being 'open' allows developers to create unique mobile applications that can take advantage of all a handset has to offer. For example, any of the phone's main functionality such as making calls, sending text messages, or using the camera can be changed or tweaked in any way imaginable.

Android is built on the open Linux Kernel which is becoming more popular on PC's all the time. It will run faster and use less memory resources than the other OS's out there. As new technologies and capabilities emerge, Android will be easily adaptable and able to incorporate them.

The beauty of open source is that all applications are created equal. There is no way to differentiate between a core application and a third party one. With devices built on the Android Platform, users will be able to tailor the phone to their liking. Change the phone's home screen, the style of the phone dialer, or any of the programs. They can even instruct their phones to use their favorite photo viewing application to handle the viewing of all photos. With a free, open source platform to work with, Johnny down the street can create a program with as much power or capability as the big software houses we've become accustomed to giving our money to.

Developers can combine information from the internet with data on your mobile phone like your contacts, calendar, or geographic location -- to provide a more relevant user experience. Some of the possibilities include finding the location of people and places based on proximity to them. Imagine driving down the highway and your phone automatically tells you the price of unleaded gas at the next exit. How about a promo that pops up to save $5 on your pizza if you mention the code when you go in? As GPS gets cheaper and incorporated into devices, location based services will emerge as one of the leading reasons to purchase a smart phone. Android is the open source project that will enhance your user experience.

Tune in tomorrow for part II.