By Natasha Lomas, 10 July 2009 13:22
Google Android? I'm pretty sure this doesn't mean the software giant has started flogging humanoid robots.
And you'd be right. Android is Google's open source software platform for mobile phones - first announced back in 2007.
So how did Google get into the mobile OS business then?
Android was the name of a mobile phone software company Google acquired in 2005. It was co-founded by a software developer called Andy Rubin - an ex-Apple employee who also co-founded mobile software company Danger, now subsumed into the Microsoft monolith after being acquired in 2008.
Since Android's acquisition, Rubin has been employed as Google's director of mobile platforms. The search behemoth also has Android's other co-founder, Rich Miner, on staff as its VP of mobile.
So what exactly is Android when it's at home?
In Google's words, it's a "complete software stack" for mobile phones, built on an open Linux kernel. In short, it's an operating system plus all the middleware and apps you need to run a mobile device.
Google developed the initial release of Android behind closed doors but since then it has made SDKs, APIs and most recently an NDK available to developers. While Google may tout Android as "the first complete, open and free mobile platform" - some of its rivals at least are not buying into the claim.
The latest release of the platform is Android 1.5 - which incorporates code from a development branch that was kept outside the open source arena for a while, known as Cupcake. This brought in a string of updates and enhancements including a software keyboard, cut and paste, and basic support for x86 chip architecture - suggesting Android might find its way onto other types of hardware.
OK but why all the fuss? I mean, aren't there loads of mobile OSes out there?
Indeed there are - in fact industry players have called for a smaller number of OSes to make life easier for mobile software developers working.
Nevertheless, Android remains interesting for several reasons. Firstly there's no getting away from the fact that Google is a software company with massive clout and one of the biggest names on the web.
Secondly its decision to launch an open source platform has rocked mobile's boat - it was doubtless a big part of the reason why proprietary mobile OS maker Symbian is now called the open source Symbian Foundation. Free software also puts pressure on Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS which still uses a licensing fee model.
And then there are apps. Like the Apple iPhone, Android devices have their own dedicated application store - called Android Market - where developers peddle their wares for Android users to download.
Currently the number of apps for the iPhone far outstrips those for Android but Google has the kind of clout that makes it a potentially attractive platform to develop for. Google has also run developer competitions - with cash prizes - to encourage app makers to get involved, so like the iPhone it's bringing third-party energy into the mobile space.
Isn't Google going out on a bit of a limb though? Wooing developers is all well and good, but doesn't it need mobile industry support from the likes of operators and handset makers, as well?
It does and it has. To pave the way for Android's entry into the mobile space Google established a coalition of OEMs, chip manufacturers, software companies and mobile operators called the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) - all committed to helping get Android phones into the market.
The OHA currently has 47 members, including mobile makers HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
So how many Android phones are out there?
In the UK...
Continued on page 2...
Comments
There are 4 comments. Join the discussion
1. Bobby
I can't believe you talk about "open phones" and totally skip FIC's Neo phones running Openmoko!
I own a Neo 1973, so I can speak pretty confidently when I say you can buy an open phone right now. Trolltech quit manufacturing the Greenphone when the Neo came out, because it fills the role of an open developer friendly phone.
The firmware for the GSM is closed, but I believe that's a legal requirement in most areas.
The Neo 1973 & Neo FreeRunner are linux ARM computers with full GPS, bluetooth, GSM/GPRS, USB (client & unpowered host) and 480 x 640 touchscreens. The FreeRunner also has two accelerometers and wi-fi. You can only buy the Neo 1973 used now, since FIC is gearing up production lines for the FreeRunner, available in March or April. Unfortunately, the software won't be end-user ready at that time :-( but my neo works fine as my primary cell phone now, so if you're a developer interested in an open phone, you're crazy not to buy one.
You can (of course) play video, music, and run PDA apps on the devices. You can also view PDFs and the web, use bluetooth keyboards (or bluetooth anything else, for that matter), or do anything that you or someone else cares to port from the desktop, assuming the hardware resources are sufficient.
I've been playing with my Neo 1973 (currently recommended only for people willing to debug, and tolerate alpha level software) for a few weeks, and I'm having a great time with it.
Not only the software is open - you can get CAD files for the case, and schematics as well. There are also i2c, etc. bus standards used so adding new hardware is easy as well, if you're so inclined. Obviously the real market there is for a cottage industry distributing neos with extra hardware built-in, but the hobbyist can experiment at home, too.
2. Anonymous Poster
I am very glad that Google is getting involved in the mobile phone market. These cell phone companies are working with archaic business models that need a good thrashing.
Google SMS, for example, is an already-existing cell phone service where you can text questions to a Google server. You can ask for directions, phone numbers, even odd questions like "What's the population of Japan?". All for free.
In the meantime cell phone companies want to charge you $2-3 for a crappy sub-100 kbps MP3 ringtone, while iTunes charges you only 99 cents for the WHOLE SONG, in a LOSSLESS AUDIO FORMAT!
3. Ander
In Google We Trust. But please please PLEASE, Google, don't be evil. If we give them our phones, they'll have us by the balls. But i trust them. i think.
4. Richard
Bobby -
That's great about that "open" manufacturer you talk about, but come on dude, no one has ever heard of them and, in this mobile industry, you need clout and support from the industry.