TeachYourself Android Application Development

To understand where Android fits in with other mobile technologies,
 let’s take a minute to talk about how and why this platform came about.

Google and the Open Handset Alliance

In 2007, a group of handset manufacturers, wireless carriers, and software developers

(notably, Google) formed the Open Handset Alliance, with the goal of developing the next

generation of wireless platform. Unlike existing platforms, this new platform would be

nonproprietary and based on open standards, which would lead to lower development

costs and increased profits. Mobile software developers would also have unprecedented

access to the handset features, allowing for greater innovation.

As proprietary platforms such as RIM BlackBerry and Apple iPhone gained traction,

the mobile development community eagerly listened for news of this potential

game-changing platform.

Android Makes Its Entrance

In 2008, the Open Handset Alliance announced the Android platform and launched

a beta program for developers. Android went through the typical revisions of a new

platform. Several prerelease revisions of the Android Software Development Kit

(SDK) were released. The first Android handset (the T-Mobile G1) began shipping in

late 2008. Throughout 2009, more Android handsets and diverse types of devices

powered by Android reached world markets. As of this writing, there are more than

36 Android phones available from carriers around the world. This number does not

include the numerous Android tablet and e-book readers also available, nor the

dozens of upcoming devices already announced, nor the consumer electronics running

Android. The rate of new Android devices reaching the world markets has continued

to increase. In the United States, all major carriers now include Android

phones in their product lines.

Google has been a contributing member of the Open Handset Alliance from the

beginning. The company hosts the Android open source project as well as the

Android developer program at http://developer.android.com. This developer website

is your go-to site for downloading the Android SDK, getting the latest platform documentation,

and browsing the Android developer forums. Google also runs the most

popular service for selling Android applications to end users: the Android Market.

Introducing Android