A Guide To Google’s Android Mobile OS

Android is without question the latest craze in smartphone innovation. But what exactly is Android, how did It suddenly get so popular, and is it worth the hype?

Below we take you through an in depth description of Android so you can judge for yourself.

So, what is Android?

A common misconception (usually amongst those who haven’t bought an Android Phone, since those who have tend to become Android fanatics) is that Android is a phone much like the iPhone. In fact, Android is the operating system, developed by Google.

Actually, Android was initially developed by a startup company in California but Google acquired the company in its early stages in 2005. Google’s financial contribution, as well as creative resources and marketing clout are undoubtedly behind the current success of Android.

Like any operating system (OS) there have been several versions. Just like Windows went from Windows XP to Windows Vista, and then on to Windows 7, so the Android OS has developed through the years. The first Android OS (1.0) was released in September 2008.

Versions of the Android Operating System

Cupcake – Android 1.5 Update

The 1.5 OS was named Cupcake and Android stuck with the confectionery naming throughout their OS updates. It is pretty rare to find anything still using the Cupcake OS these days.

Donut – Android 1.6 Update

Version 1.6 of the Android OS had a few glitches and again is pretty rare on the market these days. If you’re shopping the second-hand market you might come across it but steer clear, it’s out of date and was no great shakes to start off with.

Eclaire – Android 2.0/2.1 Update

The 2.0/2.1 upgraded OS was where Android really kicked off. This version saw the first of Android’s famous live backgrounds, as well as an upgraded user interface (UI). It’s very common on devices these days.

FroYo – Android 2.2 Update

The most up-to-date system in 2010, the 2.2 update included internal tethering, the option to store apps on an SD card to free up space, and the much-anticipated Adobe Flash feature.

Gingerbread – Android 2.3 Update

The Christmas upgrade of 2010, this 2.3 OS was unveiled at the start of December. The system is not a massive overhaul on the previous FroYo model. It basically improved speed, operations, app management and the camera function.

Honeycomb – Android 3.0 Update

The as yet unreleased version is due in 2011. Experts are predicting this could be the OS that brings major renovations to the Android OS rather than minor ones. It’s also rumoured that the upcoming Honeycomb will perhaps be compatible with a tablet – bringing Android into the tablet race against Apple.

What is an Android Phone?

Simply put, Android phones are smartphones that use the Android Operating System. Unlike the Apple iPhones, Android phones are not one set product. Their coding allows manufacturers to easily set the phone in a variety of ways. The most popular Android phones in the UK are the G2 Touch, The Samsung Galaxy S, and the HTC Desire.

Android Phone Technical Details

Bear in mind that the Android is an operating system, not a specific phone, so listing its technical qualifications is not as straightforward as listing the iPhone 4s (for example). However, most Android phones do share basic technical requirements or details that can be broadly discussed here.

Memory

Memory on Android Phones works on a four-part system. There is RAM for the operating system, ROM for app storage, internal memory, and the option of attaching a MicroSD card.

MicroSD cards allow users to add on memory as they need it. The cards usually come with storage space from 2 gigs to as much as 32 gigs and have speed classes ranging from 2 to 10. The higher the number the faster the speed of the MicroSD. £12 will buy you an average 8gig class 6 MicroSD card. MicroSD cards are usually used for storing the phones photos, music, etc.

Screens

Most androids these days come with a capacitive screen, meaning a touch screen. As with the iPhone, a touch screen lets you use your finger to dial numbers or write texts directly on the screen’s keyboard. Android users will notice the added advantage of being able to affect the live background on the screen by touching it to instigate a reaction.

Tethering

Tethering is a big word that simply means your phone becomes its own WiFi hotspot. Since the FroYo upgrade android phones have been able to tether, allowing them to share their internet connection with other mobile devices. This means that you can run the internet off your Android phone if you need to access internet on your laptop – for example.

What are the advantages of an Android Phone?

Since Android was developed by Google, it should come as no surprise that the product is completely compatible with Google products such as Google Maps etc. The system is also a more fully developed OS than most smartphones on the market, meaning that it can process information in a similar way to a computer. Here are some of the key abilities of Android phones.

Google Synching

Most Android phones require a Google account to operate. If you have a Google account you impute your username and password and the phone synchs virtually with your Google account, downloading messages, settings, contacts, calendars, and anything else you’re signed up for with Google. If you don’t already have a Google account the phone will usually take you through the sign-up process.

The interesting difference to note here is that Android does not require a computer to synch with. Unlike the iPhone, you don’t have to plug the Android into your computer to get information onto it. The information is transferred by accessing your Google account. This makes the system much more portable, in the same way that Gmail is more portable than an email system like Window’s Outlook Express.

And vice-versa! The phone syncs its details with your Google account so that if you lose your phone all your details (such as contacts and SMS etc) are stored online and can be easily downloaded to your replacement phone.

Serious Multitasking

Another key Android capability that you won’t find in any other phone is that the Android can run several programs at the same time. This means that you can have multiple applications open at once – such as your Facebook, email account, game, and SMS tool.

An iPhone user will lose unsaved data when changing between apps because the processor closes each app before opening the new one. This also makes app switching a time consuming process. Android allows you to switch quickly, and then come back to your previous app without having to finish and exit any of your programs.

Easy User Customization

No two Android phones look the same. The phones are designed to be customized, and not in the basic change-your-background way. All the apps are interchangeable and customizable.

Open Software

Android is an open-source software, meaning that if you are code-savvy you can change the code to make the phone operate in a way that suits you better.

What can’t Android do?

Android’s biggest blessing is also its biggest curse. The phone is not an Apple product. As such, iPhone users might find the changeover arduous at first.

Use Apple products

Apple products aren’t compatible with Android, and since the two phones are in direct competition it’s unlikely that they ever will be. Apple has amassed a huge amount of apps, and the best have been redeveloped or cracked to work on the Android. However, that doesn’t mean that iPhone users are guaranteed to find their favorite apps waiting for them at Android. Android has, of course, had apps specifically designed for its OS.

The big killer for many users is that iTunes isn’t compatible with Android. There are other music applications, like Songbird, that can assume your iTunes library and transport it onto your Android phone, but it’s not as convenient as the iTunes store.

Access Niche Software

This is usually only relevant to business users. Users that work for companies that hand out specific email applications, suitable to the likes of blackberries or other phones, might run into trouble trying to use those applications on the Android.

Video Calling

Although this is not strictly related to the Android OS, potential buyers should be aware that there is no ideal VoIP application for Android at present. The Fring app that worked through Skype has recently been disabled and Android users are waiting for a sufficient substitute.

If you are happy enough to wait for the app remember that you will need a phone that has an inward facing camera, such as the Galaxy S. Also be warned that the phone has to be on speaker phone to make use of the video call option, which is not ideal in most mobile phone situations.

Android Apps – Android Market Downloads

Android users have a huge choice of apps for their device. Many of the applications are revamps of old i-apps. This means that they are better and more relevant to users working in the now. An example of this can be seen in the games available to Android users, many of which are the most sought after games on the market – like Angry Birds. There are over 80,000 apps for Android users to choose from.

Users can download applications that work with their camera as an editing tool, allowing you to aim, shoot, and edit all on your phone.

Similarly, there are apps that overlay filters to music so that you can edit the sound of your music – allowing users to become Android DJs.

The live backgrounds have been one of the most publicized aspects of the Android. The backgrounds are interactive and often animated. The backgrounds can take advantage of knowing details, such as your location to synch their animation to your time zone. Because of the Android’s open-source coding, users can easily program their backgrounds themselves, adding a further level of customization.

There is plenty of online information about the exact applications available for Android. A search for the top 10 Android apps should give you a good idea of where to start.

How to download an Android App

Apple users are familiar with the iTunes App Store. As mentioned earlier, i-apps will not work with Android. Fortunately, Android has a similar store to iTunes, called the Android Market. This store is set up very similarly to iTunes, in that users can browse available apps and download them directly on to their phones. There are a lot of free apps for Android, but there are some apps that require payment.

Apps are paid through another Google-owned online company, Google Checkout. Checkout allows you to pay by debit or credit cards.

Some developers offer Android users the option of downloading their free apps directly from their sites. This is common practice amongst Android users, but be aware that most Android phones require a slight alteration in the code before they can accept downloaded apps from outside the Android market.

In Summary

To sum up, Androids are a more flexible type of phone than Apple phones. They allow users to customize their phones to a much greater extent than iPhones or other smartphones available in the UK at present.

The Android is fast gaining ground in the Smartphone market. Competition with Apple is driving both producers to provide the best product they can possibly design. The difficulty comes in judging what exactly the market needs. Some critics complain that the Android has too many bells and whistles, whilst on the other side detractors complain that the iOS is too rigid.

Both companies are set to unveil overhauled products in 2011, it’s expected that soon Apple will be trying to move their product in the direction of the Android’s flexibility and interactivity. All eyes will be on the Honeycomb upgrade, due before July 2011.