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Android: It's in the Droid. All About the Google Operating System

Updated on December 20, 2013

What is the Android?

Android is the most popular cell phone operating system on the market today, outselling Blackberry's, Iphone's, and Window's Mobile phone's. As customers continue to realize the truly enormous capabilities the Android software offers, both in feature's and quality, it will only continue to skyrocket.

Whether its messaging, browsing the web, even scanning bar codes, Android comes complete with every modern convenience and a store with over 70,000 free and paid app's for you to add more programs at will. Find out why Android has become the Facebook of the phone world, with explosive growth and a community which continues to expand every day.

Droid
Droid

Why The Android Rocks!

One of the greatest open source (free) software programs available, Android was purchased by Google in 2005 when Google decided to enter the mobile phone market. The key to Android's success is that as it is a free operating system that was based on Linux, phone manufacturer's are able to base their products on Android without paying licensing fees which can be a large part of production costs, sometimes up to 25-30%.

Since Android is so open to developers, it also creates a nuturing environment for program creators, not to mention the fact that Google gave $10 million dollars to those who created the best programs for the Android in their Android Developer Challange.

Quick, what do you think of Android?

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Android Phone
Android Phone

Highlights of the Android Operating System

The Android has so many features, that no matter how long you search you'll not discover them all. The Android Marketplace, with its 70,000+ apps, widgets, games and more is so daunting that after a while you stop browsing and just search when you need something. But of course the Iphone has a marketplace as well, and blackberry's have apps as well, so what makes the Android stand out from these competitors?

COST:

Need I say more? Everything about the Android is going to be less expensive, from the actual phone, to apps and other accessories. Because so many are able to contribute to the software, and because Google does not charge or restrict for development, there are thousands of free high quality apps, games, and widgets available. Even when they do charge, the majority are going to be a dollar or less.

SPEED:

The Android software cuts straight to the phone's core, giving you the ability to run everything to its fullest capability, including overclocking programs available right on your phone. Just like computer software, there are task managers to let you kill programs that are taking up memory, and overall Android is faster than any other operating system on the same phone. I modded my HTC HD2 which had Windows 6, installing Android 2.2 Froyo, and while it would freeze constantly with the old Windows program, I was shocked by the fluid speed and quality of Android.

QUALITY:

While many would assume that because of its inexpensive price tag (free) compared with other systems, that there would be an inferior quality in services, graphics, etc. NOT TRUE. Google is all about quality, and the software developers have provided every amenity imaginable. From unbelievable skins and themes, to the beauty of the simplest graphics like the phone calling program, they spared no expense. And because of this, you get programs integrated into the phone like Google Voice, which takes your phone messages, downloads them, turns them into text, and allows you to read them off your phone or listen to them without making a phone call!

Vote for your favorite Android stuff

Professional Android 2 Application Development
Professional Android 2 Application Development
Build unique mobile applications with the latest Android SDK Written by an Android authority, this up-to-date resource shows you how to leverage the features of Android 2 to enhance existing products or create innovative new ones. Serving as a hands-on guide to building mobile apps using Android, the book walks you through a series of sample projects that introduces you to Android's new features and techniques. Using the explanations and examples included in these pages, you'll acquire the foundation needed to write compelling mobile applications that use Android, along with the flexibility to quickly adapt to future enhancements. Professional Android 2 Application Development: Reviews Android as a development platform and¿best practices for mobile development Provides an in-depth look at the Android application components Details creating layouts and Views to produce compelling resolution independent user interfaces Examines Intents and Content Providers for sharing data Introduces techniques for creating map-based applications and using location-based services such as GPS Looks at how to create and use background Services, Notifications, and Alarms Demonstrates how to create interactive homescreen components Explores the Bluetooth, telephony, and networking APIs Examines using hardware, including the camera and sensors such as the compass and accelerometers Wrox Professional guides are planned and written by working programmers to meet the real-world needs of programmers, developers, and IT professionals. Focused and relevant, they address the issues technology professionals face every day. They provide examples, practical solutions, and expert education in new technologies, all designed to help programmers do a better job. wrox.com Programmer Forums Join our Programmer to Programmer forums to ask and answer programming questions about this book, join discussions on the hottest topics in the industry, and connect with fellow programmers from around the world. Code Downloads Take advantage of free code samples from this book, as well as code samples from hundreds of other books, all ready to use. Read More Find articles, ebooks, sample chapters and tables of contents for hundreds of books, and more reference resources on programming topics that matter to you. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
 
Pro Android 2
Pro Android 2
Pro Android 2 shows you how to build real-world and fun mobile applications using Googleâs latest Android SDK. This new edition is fully updated for Android 2, covering everything from the fundamentals of building applications for embedded devices to advanced concepts such as custom 3D components, OpenGL, and touchscreens including gestures. While other Android development guides simply discuss topics, Pro Android 2 offers the combination of expert insight and real sample applications that work. Discover the design and architecture of the Android SDK through practical examples, and how to build mobile applications using the Android SDK. Explore and use the Android APIs, including those for media and Wi-Fi. Learn about Android 2âs integrated local and web search, handwriting gesture UI, Google Translate, and text-to-speech features. Pro Android 2 dives deep, providing you with all the knowledge and techniques you need to build mobile applications ranging from games to Google apps, including add-ons to Google Docs. Youâll be able to extend and run the new Google Chrome APIs on the G1, the G2, and other next-generation Google phones and Android-enabled devices. What youâll learn How to use Android to build Java-based mobile applications for Google phones with a touch screen or keyboard (thanks to Cupcakeâs inclusion as of Android 1.5) How to design and architect using Googleâs latest Android SDK How to use the Android SDK to write mobile applications for embedded devices How to create 3D graphics with OpenGL and custom components How to build multimedia and game apps using Androidâs Media APIs and OpenGL How to use Androidâs location-based services, networking (Wi-Fi APIs), and security How to create and allow for more integrated local and web searches How to build handwriting gesture UIs How to incorporate Google Translate into your Android applications Who is this book for? This book is for professional software engineers/programmers looking to move their ideas and applications into the mobile space with Android. It assumes that readers have a passable understanding of Java, including being able to write classes and handle basic inheritance structures. This book also targets hobbyists. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introducing the Android Computing Platformâ¦1 Chapter 2: Getting Your Feet Wetâ¦25 Chapter 3: Using Resources, Content Providers, and Intentsâ¦57 Chapter 4: Building User Interfaces and Using Controlsâ¦123 Chapter 5: Working with Menus and Dialogsâ¦171 Chapter 6: Unveiling 2D Animationâ¦217 Chapter 7: Exploring Security and Location-Based Servicesâ¦243 Chapter 8: Building and Consuming Servicesâ¦289 Chapter 9: Using the Media Framework and Telephony APIsâ¦327 Chapter 10: Programming 3D Graphics with OpenGLâ¦363 Chapter 11: Managing and Organizing Preferencesâ¦421 Chapter 12: Exploring Live Foldersâ¦439 Chapter 13: Home Screen Widgetsâ¦457 Chapter 14: Android Searchâ¦491 Chapter 15: Exploring Text to Speech and Translate APIsâ¦563 Chapter 16: Touchscreensâ¦591 Chapter 17: Titanium Mobile: A WebKit-Based Approach to Android Developmentâ¦627 Chapter 18: Working with Android Marketâ¦661 Chapter 19: Outlook and Resourcesâ¦675Check out the authorsâ website, www.androidbook.com, for the latest updates and information.
 
Archos 5 32 GB Internet Tablet with Android
Archos 5 32 GB Internet Tablet with Android
ARCHOS, award-winning for its constant technology innovation, now introduces its new ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet. This product combines all the multimedia know-how that ARCHOS is famous for, with the ANDROID operating system. It offers you an uncompromised Internet, media and TV experience in a customizable interface. In perpetual evolution with the continuous arrival of new applications, you can personalize your ARCHOS 5 Internet Tablet to perfectly reflect your tastes and needs.
 
Hello, Android Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf 3th (third) edition Text Only
Hello, Android Publisher: Pragmatic Bookshelf 3th (third) edition Text Only
Android is a software toolkit for mobile phones, created by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. It's inside millions of cell phones and other mobile devices, making Android a major platform for application developers. That could be your own program running on all those devices. Within minutes, Hello, Android will get you started creating your first working application: Android's version of "Hello, World." From there, you'll build up a more substantial example: an Android Sudoku game. By gradually adding features to the game, you'll learn the basics of Android programming. You'll also see how to build in audio and video support, add graphics using 2D and 3D OpenGL, network with web pages and web services, and store data with SQLite. You'll also learn how to publish your applications to the Android Market. The #1 book for learning Android is now in its third edition. Every page and example was reviewed and updated for compatibility with the latest versions. Freshly added material covers installing applications to the SD card, supporting multi-touch, and creating live wallpaper. You'll also find plenty of real-world advice on how to support all the Android versions in use today-everything from Cupcake (Android 1.5) to FroYo (Android 2.2) and beyond. If you'd rather be coding than reading about coding, this book is for you.
 
Beginning Android 2
Beginning Android 2
The Android development platform, created by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, is a platform in its truest sense, encompassing hundreds of classes beyond the traditional Java classes and open source components that ship with the SDK. With Beginning Android 2, youâll learn how to develop applications for Android 2.x mobile devices, using simple examples that are ready to run with your copy of the SDK. Author, Android columnist, writer, developer, and community advocate Mark L. Murphy will show you what you need to know to get started programming Android applications, including how to craft GUIs, use GPS, and access web services. What youâll learn Discover Android and how to use it to build Java-based mobile applications for a wide range of phones and other devices. Create user interfaces using both the Android widget framework and the built-in WebKit-powered Web browser components. Utilize the distinctive capabilities of the Android engine, including location tracking, maps, and Internet access. Use and create Android applications incorporating activities, services, content providers, and broadcast receivers. Support Android 1.5, 1.6, and 2.0 devices, including dealing with multiple Android OS versions, multiple screen sizes, and other device-specific characteristics. Who is this book for? This book is aimed at people new to mobile development, perhaps even to Java development itself.
 
Android Tablet
Android Tablet

Android Tablets, Entering the Computer World

Not only has Android begun to dominate the cell phone market, but they are entering the tablet/netbook arena as well. With sleek and affordable designs that are fast and efficient, Android Tablets are beginning to offer stiff compitition to the Ipad from Apple, both with its affordability and compatability with other devices due to its Linux base.

For less than $200 an individual can get a tablet that browses the internet, edits documents, plays music, games, videos. In essence an Ipad for less yet with the same quality and reliability.

Windows and Android
Windows and Android

Install Android on a Windows Phone

Did you know that you don't even need an Android based phone to enjoy the amazing operating system? Thanks to the many computer guru's that work on the Android software, they've found ways to port the Android software directly onto a Windows based mobile phone. This is actually what I did on my HTC HD2, which was Windows Mobile 6 based but is now running Android's Froyo 2.2 system. Awesome.

There are tons of sites which break the process down into the simplest of steps, basically just downloading a file to your SD card and running the program from it and you're set. Of course their are YouTube videos which will show you below as well, what would the world do without YouTube tutorials.

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