Erick Mack - Android Phones: The How-To Guide

While Apples iPad currently dominates worldwide tablet sales (boasting a 90-percent share of the market), some analysts expect that Android-based tabs will begin to outsell Apple by 2015.

• 2003: A small start-up, Android, Inc., is incorporated.
• 2005: Google purchases Android.
• 2007: Google, Motorola, T-Mobile, Sprint, Samsung, Intel, and other big names form the Open Handset Alliance to catapult development of Android forward.
• 2008: T-Mobile G1 becomes the first Android-powered device available through a major carrier.
• October 2009: First Motorola Android devices released, including the Droid, first Android phone on the Verizon network.
• January 2010: A misstep as the Android-based Nexus One by HTC is released and sold directly through Google unlocked (not restricted to a single carrier). Following some technical issues and widespread criticism about Googles customer support, the Nexus One was discontinued in July of the same year.
• December 2010: Samsung Galaxy S Tablet running Android released to lackluster reviews; Android overtakes Apple and Nokia in worldwide mobile OS sales.
• 2011: Android updates to new version 3.0, redesigned specifically with tablets in mind.

• Its Openness: Unlike Apples strict approval protocol for iPhone apps, the open nature of Android and ready availability of tools to help app developers means the potential app library for Android is exploding.
• It's Customizable: Android apps can access any of a devices core features like calling, texting, and GPS, adding to the power of the platform.
• It's Built for Multitasking: One of Androids big improvements over the iPhone is its ability to smoothly run numerous applications at once, performing small tasks in the background, or switching back and forth between tasks just as you might on a laptop.
• It's Integrated for Google/Search Options: Android is fully integrated with Googles galaxy of services, and Googles top-notch search technology makes it simple to search email, files, the web, and just about anything else with a few taps.

Chapter 2

T he open nature of Android also means a larger field of players are getting in on the action when compared to other mobile operating systems. Not surprisingly, many of the most active companies in the Android scene are part of the Open Handset Alliance that formed in 2007 to collaborate on the Android project.

Google has been the single largest driving force behind Android since purchasing the tiny corporation in 2005. Google added the start-ups co-founder, Andy Rubin, to the Mountain View team to continue leading Androids development. The current Android OS leverages many of Googles strengths, such as:

• A powerful search capability that meshes well with almost any smartphone function.
• Fully integrated GPS navigation through Google Maps.
• An overall method for organization of information from numerous sources that makes an Android device one of the most potentially powerful devices ever to fit in your palm.