Google's Android Goes Open Source
As of this week, the source code for the mobile platform known as Android has been made available to the general public. The Linux-based mobile platform will be featured in T-Mobile’s G1 handset which has just been launched. If the name G1 does not ring a bell, perhaps the “Google phone†does, since this is the more common name associated with this handset.
According to Dave Bort, software engineer with Google, in the near future we can expect to hear a lot more about Android devices. This is just the first step, the first device in what promises to be a long line of devices which aid the phone’s evolution from a simple communication device to a proper computing platform.
“Android is not a single piece of hardware; it's a complete, end-to-end software platform that can be adapted to work on any number of hardware configurations. Everything is there, from the bootloader all the way up to the applications. And with an Android device already on the market, it has proven that it has what it takes to truly compete in the mobile arena,†he says.
Up to this point, the only handset to ship with Android is the G1, which will set you back about $180 if you purchase it with a two-year contract. Sprint and Motorola have also expressed their interest in Google’s Android and plan to bring out an Android handset some time next year. Motorola says it will definitely develop at least one handset that will ship with Android.
Who stands to benefit from the development of this technology? Google of course, the Open Handset Alliance, some phone manufacturers and some carriers. The people that want to use their phone for more than just voice and text communication stand to benefit as well.
According to Dave Bort, software engineer with Google, in the near future we can expect to hear a lot more about Android devices. This is just the first step, the first device in what promises to be a long line of devices which aid the phone’s evolution from a simple communication device to a proper computing platform.
“Android is not a single piece of hardware; it's a complete, end-to-end software platform that can be adapted to work on any number of hardware configurations. Everything is there, from the bootloader all the way up to the applications. And with an Android device already on the market, it has proven that it has what it takes to truly compete in the mobile arena,†he says.
Up to this point, the only handset to ship with Android is the G1, which will set you back about $180 if you purchase it with a two-year contract. Sprint and Motorola have also expressed their interest in Google’s Android and plan to bring out an Android handset some time next year. Motorola says it will definitely develop at least one handset that will ship with Android.
Who stands to benefit from the development of this technology? Google of course, the Open Handset Alliance, some phone manufacturers and some carriers. The people that want to use their phone for more than just voice and text communication stand to benefit as well.
