Android is a mobile operating system running on the Linux kernel.

It was initially developed by Google and later the Open Handset Alliance. It allows developers to write managed code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries. The unveiling of the Android platform on 5 November 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 48 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. Google released most of the Android code under the Apache License, a free software and open source license. History Android at Googleplex. In July 2005, Google acquired Android, Inc., a small startup company based in Palo Alto, California, USA.[8] Android's co-founders who went to work at Google included Andy Rubin (co-founder of Danger[9]), Rich Miner (co-founder of Wildfire Communications, Inc.[10]), Nick Sears (once VP at T-Mobile[11]), and Chris White (headed design and interface development at WebTV[12]). At the time, little was known about the functions of Android, Inc. other than that they made software for mobile phones.[8] This began rumors that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market, although it was unclear what function it might perform in that market.[citation needed] At Google, the team led by Rubin developed a mobile device platform powered by the Linux kernel which they marketed to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, upgradeable system.[citation needed] It was reported that Google had already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it was open to various degrees of cooperation on their part.[13][14][15] More speculation that Google would be entering the mobile-phone market came in December 2006.[16] Reports from the BBC and The Wall Street Journal noted that Google wanted its search and applications on mobile phones and it was working hard to deliver that. Print and online media outlets soon reported rumors that Google was developing a Google-branded handset.[17] More speculation followed reporting that as Google was defining technical specifications, it was showing prototypes to cell phone manufacturers and network operators. As many as 30 prototype phones were reported to be operating "in the wild."[18] In September 2007, InformationWeek covered an Evalueserve study reporting that Google had filed several patent applications in the area of mobile telephony.[19][20] [edit] Open Handset Alliance Main article: Open Handset Alliance "Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models." -Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman/CEO[3] On 5 November 2007, the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of several companies which include Texas Instruments, Broadcom Corporation, Google, HTC, Intel, LG, Marvell Technology Group, Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile was unveiled with the goal to develop open standards for mobile devices.[3] Along with the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, the OHA also unveiled their first product, Android, a mobile device platform built on the Linux kernel version 2.6. [3] On 9 December 2008, it was announced that 14 new members would be joining the Android project including: ARM Holdings Plc, Atheros Communications, Asustek Computer Inc, Garmin Ltd, Softbank, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba Corp, and Vodafone Group Plc.[21] [22] Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt took some time in the official press release to dispel all previous rumors and speculation about the existence of a stand-alone Google phone.[3] [edit] Licensing Since 21 October 2008, Android has been available as open source. Google opened the entire source code (including network and telephony stacks[23]) under an Apache License.[24] With the Apache License, vendors are free to add proprietary extensions without submitting those back to the open source community. Android had been criticized for not being all open-source software despite what was announced by Google. Parts of the SDK are proprietary and closed source.[25][26] The Android Software Development Kit License Agreement[27] states that: 3.2 You agree that Google or third parties own all legal right, title and interest in and to the SDK, including any Intellectual Property Rights that subsist in the SDK. "Intellectual Property Rights" means any and all rights under patent law, copyright law, trade secret law, trademark law, and any and all other proprietary rights. Google reserves all rights not expressly granted to you. 3.3 Except to the extent required by applicable third party licenses, you may not copy (except for backup purposes), modify, adapt, redistribute, decompile, reverse engineer, disassemble, or create derivative works of the SDK or any part of the SDK. Except to the extent required by applicable third party licenses, you may not load any part of the SDK onto a mobile handset or any other

hardware device except a personal computer, combine any part of the SDK with other software, or distribute any software or device incorporating a part of the SDK. ADAPTED FROM: Wikipedia I was once very attracted to G1 Google Phone. However, I heard that android system has not got much applications and most of the salespeople I met don't recommend their customers to use Android OS. I wonder why. Also, I believe the applications might be limited for now but eventually it will grow into a lot of applications in order to meet their competitors in the technology advancement era.