The Android Developer Challenge will award $10 million to developers who build great apps for Android. Learn more!
Sergey Brin and Steve Horowitz discuss the availability of the SDK, that it will be open source in the future, and demo some applications.
 Three part overview of the Android architecture and APIs |  First look at building an Android Application |
The Open Handset Alliance, a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies, is developing Android: the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. To help developers get started developing new applications, we're offering an early look at the Android Software Development Kit.
 OpenAndroid allows you to access core mobile device functionality through standard API calls. |  All applications are equalAndroid does not differentiate between the phone's basic and third-party applications -- even the dialer or home screen can be replaced. |
 Breaking down boundariesCombine information from the web with data on the phone -- such as contacts or geographic location -- to create new user experiences. |  Fast & easy developmentThe SDK contains what you need to build and run Android applications, including a true device emulator and advanced debugging tools. |
Android™ will deliver a complete set of software for mobile devices: an operating system, middleware and key mobile applications. On November 12, we will release an early look at the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) to allow developers to build rich mobile applications.
Open
Android was built from the ground-up to enable developers to create compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of all a handset has to offer. It is built to be truly open. For example, an application could call upon any of the phone's core functionality such as making calls, sending text messages, or using the camera, allowing developers to create richer and more cohesive experiences for users. Android is built on the open Linux Kernel. Furthermore, it utilizes a custom virtual machine that has been designed to optimize memory and hardware resources in a mobile environment. Android will be open source; it can be liberally extended to incorporate new cutting edge technologies as they emerge. The platform will continue to evolve as the developer community works together to build innovative mobile applications.
All applications are created equal
Android does not differentiate between the phone's core applications and third-party applications. They can all be built to have equal access to a phone's capabilities providing users with a broad spectrum of applications and services. With devices built on the Android Platform, users will be able to fully tailor the phone to their interests. They can swap out the phone's homescreen, the style of the dialer, or any of the applications. They can even instruct their phones to use their favorite photo viewing application to handle the viewing of all photos.
Breaking down application boundaries
Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications. For example, a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual's mobile phone -- such as the user's contacts, calendar, or geographic location -- to provide a more relevant user experience. With Android, a developer could build an application that enables users to view the location of their friends and be alerted when they are in the vicinity giving them a chance to connect.
Fast & easy application development
Android provides access to a wide range of useful libraries and tools that can be used to build rich applications. For example, Android enables developers to obtain the location of the device, and allows devices to communicate with one another enabling rich peer-to-peer social applications. In addition, Android includes a full set of tools that have been built from the ground up alongside the platform providing developers with high productivity and deep insight into their applications. www.openhandsetalliance.com
In August 2005, Google acquired Android Inc., a small startup company based in Palo Alto, CA.[3] Android's co-founder and CEO, Andy Rubin, who had also co-founded Danger, went to work for Google. At the time, little was known about the functions of Android Inc. other than they made software for mobile phones.[3] This began rumors that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market, although it was unclear at the time as to what function they would perform in that market.
At Google, Rubin's team had developed a Linux/Java-based mobile device OS which they were shopping around to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, customizable system.[citation needed] It was reported that Google had already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it was open to various degrees of cooperation on their part.[4][5][6]
In December 2006, speculation that Google would be entering the mobile phone market began to once again grow.[7] Reports from both the BBC and The Wall Street Journal noting that Google wanted "Google search and Google applications on mobile, and it is working hard every day to deliver that." Print and online media outlets soon began reporting rumors that Google was developing a Google-branded handset.[8] More speculation followed reporting that as Google was defining technical specifications, they were showing prototypes to cellphone manufacturers and network operators. As many as 30 prototype 'GPhones' (Google phones) are reported to be operating "in the wild".[9] Network World reported that Google’s GPhone was actually an open source software phone operating system, rather than a specific hardware device like the iPhone.[9] Phoronix had reported that Google was looking to team up on the GPhone with OpenMoko,[10] a project to create a smartphone platform using free software, including the Linux kernel.
In September 2007, InformationWeek covered an Evalueserve study reporting that Google has filed several patent applications in the area of mobile telephony which hinted at the arrival of the gPhone in the then near future.[11][12] Some of the other notable U.S. patents and patent applications filed by Google in the area of mobile telephony were as follows:[11]
Google applied for a patent for a mobile payment system[13] to complement its plans to launch[6] what was thought to be a Google phone. Known as GPay,[14] it covered a system that would let the user send a text message to Google giving the details of a payment to a specified recipient. GPay would then debit the user's bank account, crediting the money to the payee.
On 5 November, 2007, the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of several companies which include Google, HTC, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm, T-Mobile, and NVIDIA, was unveiled with the goal to develop open standards for mobile devices.[1] Along with the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, the OHA also unveiled their first product, Android, an open source mobile phone platform based on the Linux operating system.[1]
Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt took a moment in the official press release to address all previous rumors and speculation.
"Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models."
—Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman/CEO, Android Press Release[1]
On the day Android was revealed, several notable companies in the mobile phone market who were not a part of the OHA released responses on the announcement.[15] John Forsyth of Symbian stated, "If Google was not involved the industry would have just yawned and rolled over. We take it seriously but we are the ones with real phones, real phone platforms, and a wealth of volume built up over years." Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris kept neutral saying, "We have a great relationship with Google and this doesn't change anything. They are certainly an important partner for iPhone." Scott Horn from Microsoft's Windows Mobile marketing team stated, "It really sounds that they are getting a whole bunch of people together to build a phone and that's something we've been doing for five years." Nokia bluntly stated, "We don't see this as a threat." Later, Nokia spokesman Kari Tuutti stated, "It's not ruled out at all. If we would see this as beneficial we would think about taking part in it."[16]
Features, specifications, or documentation have not yet been officially released, but are expected on 12 November, 2007 when the OHA releases a preview of the SDK.[17]
News media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal have speculated that specifications the OHA have developed for Android-specific devices suggest that manufacturers include photo/video cameras and built-in Wi-Fi technology to access the web at hot spots such as airports, coffee shops, and hotels.[citation needed] Further speculation includes all Android-approved devices are to be designed to work on 3G networks to ensure that web content can be downloaded quickly.[citation needed] More speculation suggests Android devices could include GPS technology. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPhone
