Android is not a mobile phone; it’s software, not hardware. Specifically, Android is a software platform and operating system for a variety of mobile devices. It was developed jointly by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 34 hardware, software, and telecom companies.
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Learn more about Android, the Android SDK (software development kit), and Android applications at code.google.com/android.
The Android project was unveiled on November 5, 2007, shortly after Apple’s release of the first-generation iPhone. Android is based on the Linux operating system; software developers write programs for Android using a Java-like scripting language.
The Android platform supports a wide variety of connectivity technologies, including GSM/EDGE, CDMA, Bluetooth, and WiFi. It supports both text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messaging, and includes an open-source web browser. Android also supports a variety of audio/video/photo formats, including JPG, PNG, GIF, MP3, AAC, MPEG-4, and H.264. It can also accommodate touchscreen input, video/still cameras, and GPS technologies.
Several manufacturers, including Samsung and LG Electronics, are said to be developing phones based on the Android platform, and numerous carriers, including T-Mobile and Sprint, are supporting the platform for their cellular networks. That said, the first Android phone on the market is likely to be the Dream, manufactured by HTC and offered for sale by T-Mobile.
What is the HTC Dream? It’s an iPhone-like smartphone, complete with touchscreen input and the capability to run a variety of custom applications. Look for these features on the final shipping unit:
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Large touchscreen with haptic feedback—that is, a tactile response when you touch a control on the screen.
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Slide-out design that reveals a full QWERTY keyboard under the touchscreen.
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Icon-based interface, like the one shown in Figure 37.1.
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Capability to enhance functionality by downloading custom applications.
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Internet connectivity with built-in web browser.
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3G data network support.
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3 megapixel digital camera.
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iPhone-like dimensions of 3″ wide by 5″ long.
In other words, the HTC Dream, powered by the Android platform, will be a head-to-head competitor with Apple’s iPhone 3G. And you can expect it to come pre-loaded with a suite of Google’s web-based applications, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Calendar, and Google Docs.
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I’m writing about the Dream in September 2008, and details are predictably scarce. By the time you read this chapter, however, the Dream will be on sale and you’ll know exactly what it is and what it does.