INTRODUCTION
Android is an Operating system for Mobiles and Tablet PC's and also now also coming in the Laptops and Notebooks. This OS was designed by a Company named Android which was later bought or taken over by Google Inc. This led to new innovations and advancement in the Android system and make this system, what it is today. Though the OS is good and user friendly, it has a few drawbacks too which are improved constantly in every release of the update of the software viz; Froyo 2.2, Gingerbread 2.3, etc. This OS is evident in most of the mobile phones in the market today like Samsung Galaxy Series, Google Nexus series, LG Optimus, HTC Desire/Sensation and a few more. This OS is a perfect competitor to the Apple IOS and also to the new Windows 7 mobile OS. This was just an introductions for people who do not know what an Android is. It is a software for the mobile phones to operate. This is an "Open source" software meaning its open for all to upgrade to a better version depending upon the hardware or device used if its compatible. Some features of Android are listed and explained briefly.
UPGRADE
This Software is free to upgrade if your device allows to. The software versions released by android were 1.0, 1.1, 1.5 (Cupcake), 1.6 (Donut),2.0/2.1 (Eclair), 2.2 (Froyo), 2.3 (Gingerbread), 3 (Honeycomb) and the latest 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and every time after the update it gets better in performance. This makes the Android different and better and advanced than other Operating systems.
SUPPORTED DEVICES
The list could have some more devices but i've listed the one's i know. Please comment and share if you know any other device and will update the review:
PHONES:GOOGLE NEXUS: Nexus One, Nexus S, G1, Galaxy Nexus
SAMSUNG: Samsung Galaxy Y, Samsung Galaxy Mini, Samsung Galaxy Ace, Samsung Galaxy R, Samsung Galaxy Note, Samsung Galaxy S1, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Europa.
HTC: HTC Hero, HTC Dream, HTC Desire, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire C, HTC Primo, HTC Mocha, HTC Wildfire, HTC Wildfire S, HTC Explorer,
HTC Sensation, HTC Incredible, HTC Incredible S.
SONY ERICSSON: Sony Ericsson Xperia, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini.
and some
MOTOROLA phones too
TABLETS PC's
Sony Tablets, Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Motorola Xoom, Asus Tablets.
ANDROID MARKET
This is a place where i can download numerous useful applications and games by paying or most of them for Free. I perfer Free downloads because every paid application has a Free substite that works great. The most interesting fact about Android market is that it is Opensource too which means anybody can program an application and offer it on the Android Market but needs an approval too and if its approved by Google, it is open to the world to download. You can also comment and rate apps in the market. Its said that playing games on an Iphone is the best, but if you've ever played on HD mobiles of Android your perception will definately change and favour android and most of the games are free to download from the Market. What makes Android market different is that you'find almost all useful apps and
according to your need. You just need to search with the right keyword and read the information on the application. To be able to access and download and use apps in the market, you need to be signed in with a google account username and password. Android Market Free Apps help me find the thief of my android device. I can download apps from the laptop to my android device without touching the device. Just sign in onto play.google.com and the fun begins.
CENTRALIZED CONTROL
Android has a centraised control as in you just to be signed in with your Google account credentials and that lets you complete access and usage of the phone. If you use the phone without Google account which most people do, the phone is just an ordinary phone and not an android. Just One Google account you can sign in with in the android and then the phone at its best. This username and password is also not visible to anybody on the phone itself so its secure.
GOOGLE SERVICES
Android lets you access your Gmail. Incase you have more than one gmail accounts you just need to add them and all emails will be a click away. One Account will be a primary account on the Android. Apart from this, you can also sync your phone contacts with the Google account and the contacts will get saved on the Google Contacts online. In the same way all the contacts can be moved or a backed up on the memory card on the android. The Google Calendar on the Android, if updated, will automatically update my Google Account without having to go through my computer. Google Maps show me my Current Location and places around like the ATM machines, Restaurants, Pubs, Cafes, petrol stations, hotels, etc. The most best feature of Google i.e. Google Search is on the top of my Android. Gtalk keeps me online all this while. The voice search or voice recognition lets me type a message without touching the keypad. Just click the voice button and say my message and
Android types it all, is an awesome feature not known to all. Youtube videos can be watched right on the phone without having to use a computer and without logging in.
OTHER FEATUERS
The Sync option in contacts on Android lets me synchronize all the contacts or save my contacts directly to my Google Account. There's also an option to create a backup on the memory card of the device. This will keep your contacts safe even if your device doesn't work. If I dont remember the complete mobile number and just dial the first 3-4 digits, it shows me all the contact numbers with that prefix. It usually shows the most dialed contact and i just select and make a call. If you drag the contact to right, i make a call if dragged to left lets me send a text to the contact. Social Hub lets me add numerous Google and Non Google email accounts. Everything i save, Android saves it on the Memory Card i attach to the device. I can read, write and edit my PDF, word and excel files on the android. The locking system of android is interesting. Three types Pattern, PIN and Password, Pattern one being the most amazing and different. The phone can be updated from the option on the phone and also by attaching the USB with a computer.
My Experience
I use a phone that has Android and I've been using it since long and researched and enjoyed it a lot. However a few drawbacks still persist. Incase the phone is locked after several attempts and if the internet on the phone is on, there's only one way to get the phone back and that by hard reset in which you loose all sms and contacts on the phone memory and the installed applications. That's why a backup is always necessary and android lets you backup almost everything. My experience overall with this Operating System has been great as far as mobile phones are concerned and android lets me do almost everything i need to wherever i am. Android right now i would conclude as the best OS for mobile phones.
