Two weeks ago I wrote about user-created applications being in the iPhone's immediate future, and why this may be a reason for skeptics to reconsider purchasing Time magazine's "Device of the Year." With one swift announcement on Monday afternoon, Google might have just made me eat my words.
For the past few years, rumors have flown around the Internet regarding the gPhone, Google's supposedly upcoming foray into the mobile phone industry. Such a unit would provide Google complete control of how its vast line of applications - for instance, Maps, Gmail, and Web search - is delivered to the ever-growing population of mobile users. Mock-ups of what people envisioned a Google-designed phone to look like have sprung up as well, but the company has not chosen to utter a peep - until now.
It turns out that Google has not been focused on a physical phone, but rather a mobile operating system. Dubbed "Android," the new operating system is Linux-based, which means that it is completely open-source. This ensures that anyone can create applications and tweak the system to their heart's content. Instead of going head to head with the iPhone, consider Android a competitor for the mobile version of Mac OS X that the iPhone runs, and more importantly, Windows Mobile.
Both of these operating systems restrict what their users can do, despite the impending release of the iPhone software development kit featured in my last column. Additionally, Android will be free of charge, which is always a quality selling point.
While Google is certain to get the majority of the credit, the operating system is actually the collaboration of over 30 companies in the technology and mobile industry sectors. Known as the "Open Handset Alliance" (http://www.openhandsetalliance.com), its formation was announced to the public in a Google press release on Monday. Other noteworthy members include Intel, Texas Instruments, Motorola, Samsung, and Sprint.
The fact that the alliance contains hardware manufacturers, software developers, and wireless carriers means that all bases will be covered in developing Android-centric cell phones. If you're a current user of Google Mobile services and aren't too interested in Android, fear not: Google pledges that Android development will not take away from their other mobile initiatives.
Many wireless carriers have a tight grip on what their users can and can't do on their cell phones. For example, while my Razr has Bluetooth capabilities that can be used with a wireless headset, Verizon prohibits using Bluetooth to send files to and from computers or other phones. Giving power back to the users seems directly in line with Google's company goal of providing easy access to information from anywhere in the world.
While the mobile versions of Windows and OS X are tied to the particular mobile units that they're compatible with, Android will be completely device independent.
It's hard to predict exactly how Android will be received, but the existence of a standard open-software platform is certain to have a profound effect on the entire cell phone market. Android's development kit, which will allow users to create their own applications, is set to be released in about a week. Physical models are currently in the development phase, so those looking to get their hands on an actual Android phone will have to wait until the second half of 2008. While the software is expected to rival Apple's offering, Google's Android may find the iPhone's remarkably sleek design tough to match.
On the other hand, with such an eclectic group of industry leaders focused on a common goal, it's hard to believe that phones hosting Android will be anything less than visually stunning.
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