Android for dummies

What is Android?

Android is a mobile operating system, initially developed by Android Inc., a firm purchased by Google in 2005.

Features

Handset layouts The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D Graphics library based on OPENGL ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts.

Connectivity	Android supports connectivity technologies including: GSM/EDGE, IDEN,CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, and WiMaX.
Messaging	SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and now Android Cloud to Device Messaging Framework (C2DM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging service.
Web browser	The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source WebKit layout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8, JavaScript engine. The browser scores a 93/100 on the Acid3 Test.
Java support	While Android applications are written in Java, there's no Java virtual Machine in the platform and Java byte code is not executed. Java classes get recompiled into Dalvik executable and run on DalvikmVirtual Machine. Dalvik is a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Android and optimized for battery-powered mobile devices with limited memory and CPU. J2ME support can be provided via third-party-application such as the J2ME MIDP Runner.
Market	Like many phone-based application stores, the Android Market is a catalog of applications that can be downloaded and installed to target hardware over-the-air, without the use of a PC. Originally only free applications were supported. Paid-for applications have been available on the Android Market in the United States since 19 February 2009. The Android Market has been expanding rapidly. As of August 3, 2010, it had over 100,000 Android applications for download. There are other markets, such as SlideME and Getjar.
Bluetooth	Support for A2DP and AVRCP were added in version 1.5 sending files (OPP) and accessing the phone book (PBAP) were added in version 2.0; and voice dialing and sending contacts between phones were added in version 2.2.
Videocalling	The mainstream Android version doesn't support videocalling, however some handsets could have a customized version of the operating system which supports it (like the Samsung i9000 Galaxy S and HTC Evo 4G).
Multitasking	Multitasking of applications is available.
Voice based features	Google search through Voice is available as Search Input since initial release. Also launched Voice actions supported on Android 2.2 onwards.
Tethering	Android supports tethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless/wired hotspot (All 2.2 Froyo phones, unofficial on phones running 1.6 or higher via applications available in the Android Market, e.g. PdaNet). To allow a laptop to share the 3G connection on an Android phone software may need to be installed on both the phone and the laptop.

Some of the Hardware

Motorola Milestone

Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700

IMO S900

Sony Ericsson Xperia x-10