Android Few Unknown Facts

Android is the mobile OS to hit the market with lots of amazing features and promoted by a group of more than 30 renowned companies led by no less than Google itself. Still are you aware of all the Android facts other than its cute logo and geek name, probably not. So here we bring out the lesser-known Android facts that are sure to catch your interest in this superb mobile platform.

5 Things We Missed  About Android:

1. If you thought Android was the brainchild of Google, think again. It was devised way back in 2003 by Andy Rubin and Rich Miner only to sell it to Google for $50 million. Google put the concept in cold storage until 2007 when it announced plans to launch the Android mobile platform. Today Rubin is the director of mobile platforms and Miner the group manager, both at Google.
    
2. Android is based on Linux, the open source operating system and Windows challenger. And if anything challenges Microsoft it interests Google. Apart from this keeping Android source code open means many developers will be attracted to the development environ and will also help to keep the costs down 
3. and revenues high.
     
4. While the iPhone can only run one app at a time the Android is a proper multi-tasking mobile OS that can run multiple apps like the Google Maps, media player, browser at the same time without any hiccups. Seems like iPhone has some catching up to do at least in one department.
     
5. Will Android be completely open as previously thought? It seems not and a good reason for saying this is the fact that the complete Android code hasn't been disclosed to the developer community and it is likely that Google will not disclose the crux of the Android code for reasons best known to it. Be ready for less than full Android development then.
      
6. You must be wondering hoe does Google benefit from keeping the Android platform open source especially when it doesn't take a dime from the application distributed through the online Android Market. Well Google the old hat wants to dominate the mobile advertising space just like it has dominated the PC web space. So don't be surprised if you see a pop up every now and then while browsing on your Android phone, after all Google doesn't collect the huge chunk of your personal browsing data for nothing, does it?

Android is the mobile phone platform consisting of an OS, web browser and key applications developed by Google and other companies under the aegis of the Open Handset Alliance. Android holds great promise and has stoked the developer community's interest as it is open source and is programmed using Java, which is the most popular programming language available. Here we present a handy Google Android Questions and Answers guide for the most common and general Android questions, doubts and queries that you have.

Android Questions and Answers:

What is the Open Handset Alliance?

The OHA is a consortium of 30 technology and mobile companies that have joined hands to accelerate innovation in mobile technology and at the same time offer the end users a better, cost-effective and richer mobile experience.

What innovations the OHA members strive to achieve?

The OHA members have endeavoured to develop Android, the open source mobile platform consisting of an OS, web browser and key applications. Different companies have different contributions to make and roles to play. For instance, the software companies like Google are developing the requisite software, the hardware companies the chipsets and the mobile companies are ensuring compatible handsets for Android.

Why an open source platform would be beneficial to consumers?
Open source platform will ensure cheaper mobile handsets and services coupled with richer user experience in the form of a friendlier interface, cool applications and an enhanced browsing experience.
Why is open platform good for the mobile operators?
An open platform would foster faster innovation, multiple software versions, better customisation options, lower costs, which would bring down the overall service and handset costs while boosting sales.
Why is open platform good for developers?
Developers will be able innovate rapidly because they will have comprehensive API access to handset capabilities that are web-ready. They will experience increased productivity because they will have comprehensive and easy-to-use developer tools. And because open source offers a deeper understanding of the underlying mobile platform, they can better optimise their applications. Finally, the distribution and commercialisation of mobile apps will be less expensive and easier.
What is the Android G1 Phone?
The Android T-Mobile G1 phone is the world's first Android-powered mobile phone developed by HTC and T-Mobile.
Which Programming language is supported by Android?
Android uses the Java programming language and Eclipse IDE.
Are the Android apps first scrutinised by Google?
No the Android applications can be directly posted on the Android Market once you are registered as a developer after paying the $25 application fee.
How much revenue share does the developer get?
The developer gets 70% revenue generated from each Android application purchase while the rest is used for settlement charges. Google doesn't take a dime out of this.
Which is the Virtual Machine used to run the Android apps?
The VM used is called Dalvik, so named after the ancestral roots of its creator, as the story goes.