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Android FAQs
 What is Android?
Android is a mobile operating system built on the Linux kernel. It was developed initially by Android Inc., a company purchased by Google, and by the Open Handset Alliance. Google released most of the Android code under the Apache Licence, a free software and open source licence. The first phone to run the Android operating system was the HTC Dream, released in October 2008. By the end of last year at least 18 phone models were using Android.
Why does Android matter to you?
Because Android will become the world’s second most popular smartphone platform by 2012, according to Gartner Inc. BlackBerry is predicted to lose market share and fall from second to fifth place, while iPhone would remain in third place and Windows Mobile in fourth.
Gartner also predicts that by 2012, 75 million phones will be sold running the Android operating system. Taiwan’s Market Intelligence & Consulting Insitute (MIC) predicts that in 2013, over 31.8 million Android phones and 126 million Android-based portable products will be sold. Also, analytics firm Flurry estimates that 250,000 Motorola Droid phones were sold in the United States during the phone’s first week on sale.
There are an estimated 3.2 billion mobile phones in the world and only 1.2 billion Internet-connected PCs, so tapping a fraction of that mobile market via Android is tantalising. In addition, the aim is to put Android on set-top boxes, car navigation systems, sensors, etc.
What is the Open Handset Alliance?
A consortium of 47 hardware, software and telecom companies (including HTC, Intel, Motorola, Samsung Electronics, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba, T-Mobile, Vodaphone) devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.
Do Android applications support Bluetooth?
Yes
Can Android applications be started on powerup?
Yes
 What are Android Cupcake, Donut and Eclair?
In April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) update for Android was released. Several new features were included which give Android application users the ability to:
Record and watch videos in camcorder mode
Upload videos to YouTube and pictures to Picassa directly from the phone
Exeprience a new soft keyboard
Utilise Bluetooth A2DP support
Enjoy automatic connectivity to Bluetooth headsets
Copy and paste, including web pages.
In September 2009, the 1.6 (Donut) SDK (Software Development Kit) was released. This allowed Android application users to enjoy:
An improved Android Market experience
An integrated camera, camcorder and gallery interface
Gallery allowing users to select multiple photos for deletion
Updated Voice Search and deeper integration with native applications.
In October 2009, the 2.0 (Éclair) SDK was released, giving Android application users:
Optimised hardware speed
Support for more screen sizes and resolutions
Revamped User Interface
Microsoft Exchange support
Improved virtual keyboard
Bluetooth 2.1.
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