What is Google Android? explains Mobiles.co.uk

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PR Newswire | 30 Jun, 2010
YORK (England): Google Android is the mobile phone operating system produced by Google which aims to compete with the likes of Windows Phone 7, iPhone OS 4 (iOS 4) and Symbian3, amongst others. The latest iteration, 'Android 2.2 Froyo', follows on from a line of dessert-based OS names: Cupcake, Donut and Eclair to name a few.

Being open-source, Google Android OS is open to third-party development, meaning that third-party applications can be downloaded and installed on any Android handset, direct from the Android Market. The Android Market currently has somewhere in excess of 35,000 applications available, the majority of which are absolutely free. The applications available range from mobile phone games to scientific calculators and pretty much everything in between, meaning that if you can think of it, there is probably already an app for it and if not, it's quite likely to be in development.

Android has only recently begun to gain a strong foothold in the smartphone market (visit http://www.mobiles.co.uk/smartphones.html for the full picture), meaning that in some respects it is still considered to be chasing the Apple iPhone 4; however, many are of the opinion that in actual fact Android has already surpassed the iPhone. Handsets such as the HTC Desire; arguably not only the best Android handset on the market but of any Operating System currently, have seen Android adoption figures increase exponentially in recent months, and the line up of future handsets only looks to improve its position within the market. Handsets such as Samsung Galaxy S, Sony Ericsson X10 Mini and the rumoured Motorola Droid X look set to only further boost Android numbers.

The key selling point behind Android is options and customisation. If you want a cheap, small handset with a QWERTY keyboard, there's the X10 Mini Pro (http://www.mobiles.co.uk/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10.html); if you want a large capacitive touchscreen, 1GHz processor and a 5.0 megapixel camera, there's the HTC Desire (http://www.mobiles.co.uk/htc-desire.html). HD Video Recording? That's taken care of by the Samsung Galaxy S, which also boasts the latest Super AMOLED technology, for a rich and clear visual display that is beyond breathtaking (http://www.mobiles.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-s.html).

Android often comes 'skinned' with a User Interface, the most popular of which is probably HTC's Sense UI. This offers advanced social networking integration, customisable widgets and much more. There are also what's known as 'Custom ROM's', skins for Android made by third-party developers to suit pretty much any need, whether that be further improved performance or just a unique look, feel and user experience.

This article was written by Mobiles.co.uk (http://www.mobiles.co.uk). Visit Mobiles.co.uk for the latest smartphones ( http://www.mobiles.co.uk/smartphones.html) and the best mobile phone deals (http://www.mobiles.co.uk/best-deals.html). For more information, call the sales team on +44(0)1923-803333.