"iScared of Android", says Apple.
I’m falling in love with Android. I love its user interface. Customizable, fresh, and very well designed, compared to old OS like iOS. I used to love iOS which used in iPhone/iTouch, but that’s so 2 years ago. I just wish Apple will make a fresh interface for the next iOS, at least let us able to use widgets like in MacOS. Okay, let’s talk about this green robot that caught my attention.
Understanding Android
It’s not that hard to know about Android. This little green robot is not like a high-tech robot with unknown and so-advanced technology. To make it really simple, Android is just an operating system developed by Google.
Operating System
Android is a mobile operating system (OS) developed by Google in late 2007 and is based upon the Linux kernel and GNU software. Android is just like other mobile OS like Symbian series that used by Nokia, iOS that used by Apple in iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, Windows Mobile OS that used in some handhelds, or BlackBerry OS for BlackBerry handheld. Each OS requires a different requirement. In fact, the applications built for them also different.
Evolution of Android
v2.2 Froyo interface
Android has seen a number of updates since its original release. These updates to the base operating system typically fix bugs and add new features. And generally, each update to the Android operating system is developed under a code name based on a dessert item. From C to H: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, and the rumored Honeycomb.
- v1.5 CupcakeReleased 30 April 2009.
- v1.6 DonutReleased 15 September 2009.
- v2.0/2.1 EclairReleased 26 October 2009.
- v2.2 FroyoFirst SDK released on 20 May 2010.
- GingerbreadTentatively scheduled for Q4 2010 launch.
- HoneycombScheduled for 2011 launch.
Looks yummy…
Multibrands
Because Google initiated the partnerships, so anyone who joined the party have the rights to produce it in the form of semiconductors, components, processors, software, or even the phone itself. Party outside of this partnership also able to make one. The best part is its free license cost, not like Symbian or Windows Mobile.
From left: HTC Sense UI, Samsung TouchWiz, LG S-Class UI, Sony Ericsson UXP Platform
Custom User Interface
When two or more phones with the same Android OS but from different vendors are compared each other, it can be hard to see the difference. But thanks to the open source concept, the vendors are free to customize it to give more “plus point” on their own phone’s display screen. For example, HTC integrate their Sense UI for their Android phones, Samsung with their TouchWiz, Sony Ericsson with their UXP Platform, and LG with their S-Class UI.
Market Share
Android is getting more popular these days. Back then at the end of 2009, Android only had less than 4% share of worldwide smartphone market. In Februari 2010 it increased to 9%, and in last July it reached 13% share. Less than a year, but increase significantly.
In October 2009, Gartner Inc. predicted that by 2012, Android would become the world’s second most popular smartphone platform, behind Nokia’s Symbian OS, which is very popular outside the US. Meanwhile, BlackBerry would fall from 2nd to 5th place, iPhone would remain in 3rd place, and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile would remain in 4th place.
In May 2010, Android’s first quarter US sales surpassed that of the rival iPhone platform. According to a report by the NPD group, Android achieved 28% smartphone sales in the US market, up 8% from the December quarter. In the second quarter, Apple’s iOS was up by 1 %, indicating that Android is taking market share mainly from RIM, and still has to compete with heavy consumer demand for new competitor offerings. Furthermore, analysts point to advantages that Android has as multi-channel, multi-carrier OS, which has allowed it to duplicate the quick success of Microsoft’s Window’s Mobile.
According to an interview with Eric Schmidt in The Guardian, Android is getting 160,000 new users per day (end June 2010) up from 100,000 per day in May 2010. As of August 4, 2010 Google is now activating 200,000 new phones to the Android platform per day according to Eric Schmidt. Incredible!
Android OS usage share
Android OS usage share
According to data collected during two weeks ending on September 1, 2010, here are the usage share between Android OS:
- Android 2.1 (Eclair) – 41.7%
- Android 2.2 (Froyo) – 28.7%
- Android 1.6 (Donut) – 17.5%
- Android 1.5 (Cupcake) – 12.0%
Google VS Apple
Google VS Apple?
Well, well, well… This is the hottest fight ever and it’s still happening, right now! Almost all IT and communications technology observers said that a grand battle was taking place between Google and Apple. Why so? No other because they both present a phone/gadget that perform well in same level. For the time being (just like stated in previous paragraphs), Google, with its Android, is expected to be in the lead thanks to a variety of existing Android phones.
Android logo and typeface
Just for information: Android Logo and Typeface
The Android logo was designed with the Droid font family made by Ascender Corporation. Android Green is the color of the Android Robot that represents the Android operating system. The print color is PMS 376C and the RGB color value in hexadecimal is #A4C639, as specified by the Android Brand Guidelines. As for the typeface, it uses custom typeface of Android called Norad, and only used in the text logo.
Now, what next?
Android is getting steady for sure, but time will tell. Don’t forget about Microsoft, they have Windows Phone 7 in their hands right now, which also offer a great and fresh UI. And we can’t tell maybe next year Apple will do something crazy. Well, you know Steve Jobs, he do something crazy sometime (but people still like him!).
Interested in Android? Then go to your nearest phone store and grab one! 
Enjoy your day with Android. 
Source: Wikipedia and some local magazines
Sorry for my bad English. I should re-learn to use them properly @_@
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2 Comments
Very well explained. But why I still think that Android OS is very complicated, almost only for geeks. While Apple is still user-friendlier in every way. Hmm but maybe I need to hand on some Android devices first before coming to judge… =P
Hmm…
Maybe you got a point there.
I agree that iOS interface is more… simple. In my opinion it’s too simple, hehehe…
But remember how hard to insert songs, pictures, and videos to iPhone. Common people, let’s say my Mom (which own my old iPhone 2G now), have a trouble doing that. She thought it’s just plug and copy paste. :p
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