Google’s Linux-based, Open-Source Mobile OS - Android

Finally, the much awaited secret of the Google phone has been unveiled. It’s not exactly going to be a phone from Google, but rather an OS. Google has come up with the idea of an open source operating system for mobile phones, which it thinks could revolutionize the industry of mobile phone advertising.

Google’s open source platform for mobiles is called Android and for those who have been following Google’s moves in the past couple of years, this name could ring a bell somewhere. Android is a mobile software company which Google bought way back in 2005. So, after all the speculations and assumptions, it’s finally official – Google is ready with its new OS for mobiles – Android. Google has confirmed that the OS will be available in handsets probably by the second half of 2008.

This move is considered a very important one as far as mobile phone industry is concerned, as an open source platform could mean a lot for both the users and the manufacturers. Google has stated that it has built this platform to make mobile surfing a far superior and easier experience for the users. Although a lot of handsets today support browsing and email facility, it’s not as easy as surfing in a computer due to the inherent limitations that a mobile OS has. Google says its new OS will change the way people browse through their mobile phones. In short, it is confident that the new OS will make mobile surfing as easy and as interesting as surfing the web in a PC or laptop.

Android is a Linux-based, open source OS, so experts around the world can contribute their knowledge on the product and make it better – a move which has made a lot of handset makers to join hands with Google in this open source alliance. Though a lot of handsets support Java and allow users to surf net, the experience differs from handset to handset due to the differences in the mobile platform. So, if Google can make mobile browsing experience better, users would definitely want to use Android and this would compel the handset makers to produce handsets that support Android OS.

The way I see it, this move could be even bigger than Google phone, as it can cross all boundaries and has the potential to become a global success. I was one of the many millions of people who were expecting Google to come up with its “free” phone, but Google has come up with something which could mean a lot more for us, customers. What do you think would be the implications of this move? Could it concern Apple? Most importantly, are you for or against the open source platform of Google, Android?

Categories: Google.

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