From Mike, Product Specialist

Ivel, KY - May 25, 2010

Android is an operating system developed for mobile devices. Similar to Windows or Mac operating systems that control desktop and laptop computers, Android is built to control mobile devices, including smartphones, internet tablets and netbooks.

Android is an open-source platform, meaning interested parties can contribute to the development of Android and cater the software to meet their needs and desires. As an engineer close to the early development of Android succinctly put it, Android gives you “the ability to have your cell phone do whatever the heck you want it to do.”

With the introduction of Android, handset manufacturers and wireless carriers have the unprecedented ability to develop, build and distribute a wholly customized product. Android stands to dramatically speed up the rate of mobile innovation, allowing developers to collaborate in ways never before seen to bring innovations to the end-user more quickly.

There’s no question that Apple’s iPhone was innovative, if not revolutionary. Yet, the iPhone is in many ways Android’s antithesis. While Apple aims to provide the best user experience by unequivocally restricting the iPhone’s hardware and software, Android looks to accomplish the same ends very differently – by inviting innovation from anyone with a contribution to make.

We recently received our first test devices that utilize the Android operating system. Look for other HTC Android powered phones to hit store shelves in the near future.