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A Mobile Open-Source OS

With 3 billion users around the globe, which is twice more than televisions sets presently in use and three time the users of Internet, we can say that mobile phones is a technology that has taken a huge place in the technology world. Recently, the Apple iPhone brought a fresh wind into this market and the competition needed to force the mobiles constructor to offer new products. And it seems that another giant is coming in the game. Say «Hi !» to Android, an open-source OS developped by the Open Handset Alliance.

The Alliance

First of all, who is behind this project? As told before, it is an alliance of some thirty companies that is in charge of it. And we are talking about giants such as Intel, nVidia, Motorola, T-Mobile, etc. (complete list here.) However, the company that started it and whose name is associated to it is the well-known Google. It has been a while ago since the rumors telling the people behind the most-seen website have an eye on the mobile phone market have begun. Well, rumors aren't rumors anymore, so let's present the Google's new child.

Android

Let's start by reminding us what is Android again. It is an operating system (OS), which is the «bridge» between the software and the hardware of your machine. Operating systems generally come with preinstalled softwares too, and it is no different with Android. Better, the Google OS is going to be open-source under the Apache v2 license. The open-source label means that the programming code of the OS will be available for everybody who wants it, just like Linux (on which Android is based). This way, it will be easy for developers to make applications on this platform. Talking about this, the Open Handset Alliance has launched a challenge that will give away $10 million in awards to the developers that will make the best programs on their open-source platform. See the official page.

In addition, somebody who would want to make a complete operating system for mobiles could use the Android code without any fee. There would not be any restraint, nothing that you would be obliged to keep. Your new OS would even not have to be open-source, so you could make money with it if you want to. And everything above could be done without telling the Alliance of anything. Though, there are little conditions about trademarks and files to keep. See the complete license.

Little is known presently about the applications that are going to be provided. Still, we know that it will (of course) support Gmail, the Google webmail application, and Google Maps. A program using Google Maps and GPS to provide information on the neighborhood you currently are. Do not worry, the list is not over yet.

Finally, the opinions about the coming of Google in the mobile war are mixed. Some love the open-source idea and believe it will obliged Windows and Nokia to improve their products. Others dislike the idea of having publicities on your own phone and the presence in another field of a company already too... present. But one thing is sure, you are going to hear a lot about Android in the next months.