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Android
Released October, 2008
The Pros:Totally open API. Android app marketplace is democratic (unlike Apple's). Device and network-independent software platform.
The Cons: new Proprietary 'OS Overlays' by handset manufacturers reduce the frequency of Android OS updates they can provide. Few payment options for app marketplace - only Google Checkout. Fewer developers and a smaller user base than the more established iPhone / iOS software ecosystem.
Android is an open-source mobile phone platform developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, announced on November 5th, 2007 and released on October 22, 2008 with the T-Mobile G1 in the USA. It is an open-source operating system based on Linux, and is designed to be embedded on mobile devices adhering to the Android standard.
The most significant features of Android is that it carries no licensing free to be used by phone manufacturers and is an an open platform that third-party developers can easily create applications for using standard API calls implemented by the independent hardware manufacturers. Android comes equipped with many built-in applications including dialing, messaging, media playback, and with immediate availability to mobile versions of Google search, Google Maps, and Google Products but the intention is to have other developers create new applications in the future. All applications are given equal weight, such that even the basic dialing app can be overwritten. An SDK and an NDK are freely available for download, and so developers can get started developing for the Android platform. The Android OS is used in handsets manufactured by HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola, Samsung, Acer, Huawei, and Sony Ericsson, and Android devices are available on all national carriers in the U.S. (T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T). The current version of Android is 2.1 (Eclair), released on January 5, 2010, and version 2.2 (Froyo) has been announced at Google I/O in May 2010.
User Reviews (32)
Pros & Cons
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18
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Android app marketplace is democratic (unlike Apple's)
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13
Device and network-independent software platform
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13
true multi-tasking OS based on Linux kernel
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11
cloud integration with Google services like Gmail, calendar, contacts -- keeps them in sync always & effortlessly
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10
OS is updated often! even for older devices like the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1)
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9
Mostly free third-party apps
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8
has great potential to scale well up to higher-end devices like smartbooks (various laptop manufacturers experimenting with this)
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6
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5
can browse for apps on website for PCs, select and install them over-the-air to the Android phone (from v2.2)
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5
v2.2 (FroYo) comes with JIT compiler that boosts performance up to 5x compared to previous versions, faster than any other mobile OS
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5
integrates full mobile-optimized Adobe Flash 10.1 (from v2.2 FroYo), and browser is still as fast as iPhone 4's
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4
You can try Android on your PC using LiveAndroid LiveCD
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4
has the fastest mobile browser! (beats iOS 4, especially on JavaScript-heavy sites)
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3
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2
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2
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2
Can sideload lots of apps
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2
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2
Many excellent web browsers available
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2
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2
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1
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1
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1
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1
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(Android 4.1+) Google Now
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1
(Android 4.1+) Safe Mode boot
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1
(Android 4.1) Expandable notification menu
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1
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(Android 4.0+) Data usage tracker
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Extensive developer options
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new Proprietary 'OS Overlays' by handset manufacturers reduce the frequency of Android OS updates they can provide
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2
Few payment options for app marketplace - only Google Checkout
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2
fewer developers and a smaller user base than the more established iPhone / iOS software ecosystem
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1
User lacks the ability to definitively close applications from within task manager
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Inferior web browser to iPhone
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No review process on the app marketplace, nothing stopping malware from getting published
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-3
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Limited to Google accounts
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no multi-touch implementations on handsets sold in the U.S. (up to at least Android v2.1)
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Comments (7)
kdm:
#android How the above Con should have read...
Proprietary 'OS Overlays' by handset manufacturers reduce the frequency of Android OS updates they can provide, thus leading to:
i)Fragmentation within the Android-based phone market.
ii)Reduced user experience owing to outdated firmware.
iii)Reduced attractiveness of the platform for developers, resulting in fewer available [functional] applications.
Apr 26, 11
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1 person like this
Erik: AH! I can't wait for
#Android Froyo 2.2 to come to my phone. The 5X speed, voice search, and compatibility with Google Car Dock mode. There's a leaked early build for the Captivate, but I'm not willing to risk it.
Dec 2, 10
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1 person like this
Erik: Blarg!!! I can't wait for
#Android Froyo 2.2 to come to my phone. Voice search, 5X OS speed improvement, and faster browser. Hopefully, better battery life.
Nov 24, 10
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1 person like this
dom:
#android There's a performance benchmark with Froyo's new browser: Ars Technica:
Android 2.2 demolishes iOS4 in JavaScript benchmarks.
Note that these benchmarks are only JavaScript, and you'll see the major advantage over iOS as shown in the benchmarks only on JavaScript-heavy sites. On "normal" sites the browsers are head-to-head in loading speed, however, Froyo integrates a full Adobe Flash 10.1, which Apple's iOS doesn't.
Jul 7, 10
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Erik:
#android I think that the Android platform has huge promise and could be a great move for Google and consumers alike. To get an idea of what Android promises, think back to all the criticism the Apple iPhone has faced (no third-party apps, exclusive arrangement with AT&T). The Android is the exact opposite. Want to create a Google Maps / Instant Messager mashup? Go ahead, the SDK is public. It looks awesome too. I suggest watching some of the videos on the Android official site.
Personally, I'll be holding off on buying a next-gen mobile until Android comes out.
Dec 6, 07
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