Android Taking Over Phones:
Google's Android Operating System is taking over. Like Linux, which it shares its kernel with, Android has been expanding to a number of cell phones since its initial release.
The first phone to use Google's operating system was HTC's Dream, better known as the G1 in America. While it may not be selling as well as the iPhone or RIM's Blackberry, the G1 has been catching on popularity. One thing that sets Android apart from much of its competition, particularly the iPhone, is its open model opposed to a more closed-down and regulated model like the iPhone's. This free and open source model allows developers more freedom in creating applications for Android-powered phones as well as a larger market for Google. Since the Dream, the operating system has been incorporated by manufactures including the HTC Magic, the Qigi i6, the HKC Pearl, and the HKC v413.
Many more manufactures include on utilizing the Android Platform for their phones and mobile media devices. Many large companies such as Acer, Lenovo, and Acer have announced that they are developing devices that will run Google's OS.
Perhaps what the most notable thing about Android's growth is what is being done by hobbyists. Due to the open source model that Google has adapted, and the use of the Linux kernel, the Android OS has been adopted to a variety of aftermarket devices as a replacement operating system. The HTC Vouge, HTC Touch Pro, and the Motorola A1200 Ming are notable devices that now are capable of running Android.
Android has also been made to run on other handhelds besides cell phones. The Nokia 850 Internet Tablet and Dell Axim x51v PocketPC are two other devices that individuals have gotten Android to run on. Besides individuals, companies such as Archos have announced that they plan on manufacturing multimedia devices that will host Android.
Android Taking Over Everything Else:
Android's adoption has not stopped at handheld cell phones and PDAs however. Android is slowly making its way onto laptops as well. Android is already working on Asus's Eee PC 701 and 1000H. Many dedicated individuals in the Netbook community have been working on getting Android onto other Netbook platforms as well.
Google's Android OS has also been working its way onto non-traditional products as well. Japan's Macnica, Inc, is developing a digital photo frame that runs Android. ISB Corp also has recently announced that they are producing a set-top multimedia box that will run Android.
Final Thoughts:
Linux has been developed to run on just about every type of computer platform out there. Using the Linux kernel, Android has stood true to this tradition and is being actively ported to a large range of handheld computers. Android OS is still young, and with Google at the helm it stands a good change at growing significantly as a general-purpose lightweight operating system... and perhaps even take over the world one day.