Android is the first step in the vision of creating a better mobile phone. It is a complete open mobile platform software stack recently release by Google. Android can be run on mobile devices from companies that have come together to form the Open Handset Alliance. The Alliance currently consists of 34 companies including Motorola, T-Mobile and Sprint-Nextel. These companies have agreed to open access devices. This basically means that I, as a customer, can purchase a Motorola phone with service from one cellular network then later switch carriers but keep the same phone!
Android would run on Open Handset Alliance devices. It includes an operating system, middleware and key applications such as email client, calendar, maps, browser, and contacts. It also takes the basics one step further by merging contacts with maps. For example, if you have a contacts' address stored on you mobile device you can bring up that location on a map with one click of a button. No need to open a browser, navigate to Google maps or MapQuest, type in the address and wait for it to load.
What's even more exciting about Android is that it is an open platform. You can liken it to Linux. What's nice about this is that it's customizable and modifiable. If you think, hum it would be cool if my PDA could perform X-Function; you have the capability to develop X-Function. You are not running a platform that prefers to keep you hands tied. You can also be assured that there will be a lot of cool and innovative tools to download for free.
