Can you tell me what is Google Android?

So you’ve heard a lot of hoopla involving the iPhone over the past year, but now it seems as though more and more people are talking about the Google Android phone. What do they mean when they mention this? Google is making a cellphone?!

I’m going to be very clear and concise to answer some questions many people have had regarding Google Android. Ready? Here we go!

Google Android is not a PHONE itself. It is an open source (meaning anyone can edit the code) cellphone operating system based on Linux. The iPhone’s operating system is OS X. The Google Android OS is meant to be used in cellphones by companies part of the Open Handset Alliance. Such big names include Google, Samsung, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, and Nvidia.

Why is Everyone so Excited about Android?

Well, for starters the openness of Android will enable developers from around the world to tinker and modify the OS, which will help create better applications for everyone. Open source means the Android OS won’t be closed like the Apple iPhone. The possibilities are endless when things are open source. The OS can be improved, fixed, and diagnosed by everyone.

What is the First Cellphone to Use Android?

The first phone to come loaded with Android OS 1.0 was the HTC Dream, which has been renamed to the T-Mobile G1. The basic specs of this phone are as follows:

- 3.2″ LCD touchscreen, real web browsing, YouTube, 3G, QWERTY keyboard, 3.2MP autofocus camera, microSDHC memory slot, 5 hours talktime, 130 hours of standby.

Okay, I’m Sold. Where Can I Buy the T-Mobile G1 in Canada?

Sorry, but the T-Mobile G1 is not available in Canada–yet. Rogers, Telus, or Bell could be carrying the G1 soon, but there has been no official word. We know that both Rogers and Telus currently carry HTC phones, so that is something positive to know. Hopefully Canadians won’t get the shaft like we did waiting for the iPhone to come to town! Until next time, I hope this small article has helped inform you about owning an Android phone in Canada.

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