Android is an open-source mobile phone platform developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance unveiled November 5th, 2007 and with devices to be available in the middle of 2008. It is based on the Linux operating system, 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 will come 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. The SDK is currently available for download, and so developers can get started developing for the Android platform. Google has already struck deals with the manufacturers HTC, LG Electronics, Motorola, and Samsung to provide phones on the Android platform as well as cell carriers Sprint and T-Mobile to provide services for these phones.
