Early Android
It has been a long time since Android was first introduced to the world. Back then, it wasn’t much to look like, and sort of reminded me of a mix between a Blackberry phone and Mac OSX. Based off the Linux kernel, at first Android was more of an idea and a concept than a real product meant for consumer digestion. The idea was simple, create a software platform that is open and free that every phone manufacturer in the world can use for their hardware. Create this platform so that applications, games and features can easily be shared on different hardware platforms.
There are more than a few G1 owners who remember the days of Android 1.0 and can attest that it was hardly clean coming out the door. There were several issues and missing features that Android 1.0 and the G1 made for a difficult phone to really love. But, with time, updates came and fixed the issues, added the features and helped make for a smoother interface and experience for the end user.
After a number of rapid releases, often jumping leaps and bounds, Android has settled into version 2.1 for at least the last 4 months. Here in the US, three current phones are running Android 2.1, the Droid, Incredible and Nexus One with a number of other phones poised to get the bump to Android 2.1 soon, including the Sprint Hero and Moment. It’s unsure what the future holds for other phones, but there are options. If Google/Manufacturers choose to not update the G1 or the myTouch series of phones or the Motorola Cliq, then users can always hope for the best and try a custom ROM from developers such as Cyanogen. That’s another story all together.
With Android 2.1 comes some refinement and really starts to show some strengths. I begin my Android journey at 1.5 and moving to 2.1 has really shown me what Android is capable of. I wasn’t disappointed with 1.5, it worked great for a mobile phone OS, but 2.1 was just smoother, faster and felt like a whole new phone. It’s clear that Google is still working to make Android more user friendly and feature rich. They take their time with developers to offer suggestions and design techniques for truly rich applications.
It’s clear that Android is only just starting to catch up with the competition and they may never reach them, but the improvements sure make for a great OS. Android 2.2 and some of it’s features is very likely to be announced and/or detailed at Google I/O in a couple weeks. Expect to find even more refinement. If it’s done right, you won’t even really notice unless you are looking for it.
