What impact will Google's Android have on the Mobile World

Google recently released a prototype of their Android platform . For those not familiar with Android it is basically a small operating system that runs on mobile phones. The OS comes with prepackaged software like maps, browser, database, bluetooth, audio, and camera functions.

The real advantage of using this platform is that it is completely open and developers can build their own custom applications that can run on it. Currently the market is really fragmented and there is no clear platform to develop applications on. Each vendor has their own platform tying you in to that particular vendor. That's one big reason why Google didn't try to develop its own hardware or trying to tie Android to one carrier. Google will offer a suite of mobile applications for Android, but it won't require that the apps be used.

Mobile application developers will drive the success of this initiative. That is why Google has decided to offer $10 Million in prize money to some of the best applications built for Android. That should spur a lot of innovation.

The potential of Android is much bigger than just phones. There's nothing in the Android development model that limits it to just mobile phones, and in fact Google says openly that it's appropriate for use on all sorts of devices. If Google can pull this off you'll start seeing Android in all sorts of interesting places.

Look out for an Android enabled phone coming to a store near you.

Edsor3
http://outervillage.com
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