Your Google Android Guide, Everything You Must Know

Google Android was destined for success from the beginning! It only makes sense that you'd want a Google smartphone. That clean, seamless search page is exactly what you get with Android OS.

Smartphone OS Versions

Google has more than one mobile operating system available when it comes to powering your Android phone. Some recent versions include:

• Eclair
• Cupcake
• Froyo
• Gingerbread
• Ice Cream Sandwich

Hey we never said anything about the company being great at using names that make it easy to identify which is the latest Android OS. Actually, if you're on a diet you may want to avoid knowing the names due to cravings for sweets and desserts.

Ok we digress, back to the important stuff.

There is an advantage to having multiple versions of Google Android. It allows you to have the best Android OS for the specific smartphone you're using. Each update brings something new in features and the latest technology.

The different smartphone OS versions that are available means no matter what carrier you are on you can still access the coolest Android apps along with connectivity on the go.

Google is great at what they do we'll give them where credit is due.

BUT...

It would be great if there would be a more uniform rollout of the new operating system between devices. No one wants to be left behind waiting six months for the new Android OS while your buddy with a different Google smartphone has the latest version from Larry and Sergey. So you definitely wan to be aware of the latest Android news.

A Lesson in Android History

Surprise, surprise but the Android OS was not originally started by Google. Android was founded in 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White. Their goal was very simple, to develop in the words of Rubin "...smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences."

We're not into conspiracy theories but can you say, Big Brother with that type of goal.

So how does this relate to Google Android?

My friends, Google acquired Android in August 2005 bringing them under the Google umbrella. Clearly with the resources at Google's disposal innovation and new features would come much quicker.

Wow Awesome Android OS Features

So what exactly does one get with an Android phone?

Well the list of features is quite long so we won't be including everything. Just the stuff that is relevant and you would actually want to know. Sorry to those hoping to learn more about the Linux kernel or the GNU library.

Messaging: SMS and MMS are available including threaded text messaging. Not to bore you but there's also Android Cloud To Device Messaging Framework (C2DM) is apar of the Android Push Messaging Service.

Languages: Android supports multiple human languages (yes they actually specified human as though we weren't sure if alien language was available or not).

Web Browser: Android phones have a browser based on the open-source Webkit layout engine, coupled to Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. Remember Google does internet very well so we're not surprised their browser scored 93/100 on the Acid3 Test (ok more than you needed to know).

Media Support: if you're going to be using audio/video/still media pay attention to what's supported: WebM, H.263, H.264 (in 3GP or MP4 container), MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB (in 3GP container), AAC, HE-AAC (in MP4 or 3GP container), MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.

Streaming Media: this is where you can really do some damage to your smartphone's data plan so be careful, but here are the options available to you:

• RTP/RTSP streaming (3GPP PSS, ISMA)
• HTML progressive download
• Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP) and HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by Flash plugin
• Apple HTTP Live Streaming is supported by RealPlayer for Mobile
• Microsoft Smooth Streaming via Silverlight plugin to Android.

Tethering: Google Android does support tethering meaning your Google smartphone can be used as a wireless/wired hotspot.

So we could continue to list features until the cows come home, but we'll stop now. Well after we mention there's:

• Multi-touch
• Bluetooth
• Multitasking
• Voice based features.

Clearly you cannot go wrong with the Android OS, there is only an upside to Google Android.

Open All The Time

Android is free and open source which helps Google and the many other companies in the Open Handset Alliance develop open standards for mobile devices. Essentially, if everyone is using the same technologies and formats life is much easier. So you can easily go online and find the entire source code for Android.