If the word Android still brings up an image of a semi robotic being to your mind, maybe you need to get back to the 21st century. Launched in a very market already conquered by specialized forces, no one would have imagined the phenomenal success currently enjoyed by Android. Like everything Google, the Android is different is radically different while still maintaining its mass appeal.

Enough talk, what is the Android then?

The Android is a mobile operating system launched by search engine giant Google on 5th November 2007. Though Google drives most of the development, the Android is actually a joint effort of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) – a consortium of hardware makers, software developers and carriers including HTC, Google and Samsung.

Based on a Linux kernel, the Android is a fast evolving piece of software. Already in its 2.0 avatar, the Android is published under the Apache license which makes it easier for developers to build their applications over the platform. Android is also one of the fastest growing mobile operating systems a current market share of 3.5%. The latest Motorola DROID phone sold more than 250,000 handsets in the first week itself.

What makes the Android special?

For one it is free and open. Anyone can pick up the source code and modify it as per needs. We saw it in HTC Hero with TouchFlo and the DROID which runs its own UI on top of the Android. Google has been instrumental in the fast evolution of the Android which is fast becoming a one featuring the best from the existing operating systems. It is as efficient with emails as the Blackberry OS and as suave as Windows mobile and as open source as the Symbian OS.

Features of the Android:

1.    Adaptable to traditional smartphone screens to the latest touch screens featuring 3d graphics.
2.    Easy to use intuitive interface.
3.    Multiple email accounts handled through the same application.
4.    Fast web browser.
5.    Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
6.    Java support.
7.    Support for variety of media including MPEG-4, 3GP, MP3, WAV, JPEG, PNG and AAC.
8.    Hardware support for latest technologies like accelerometer, GPS and proximity sensor.
9.    Multi touch support.
10.    Android markets grants access to wide range of applications and plugins.
11.    Development environment lets the ordinary user develop custom applications.
12.    Full messaging support including SMS and MMS with threaded messaging support.

And as the Android becomes more human…

The 2.0 version of the Android was definitely closer to the human hand than the earlier versions. Going by Google’s history, the Android is definitely going places.