Google's Mobile Platform

Google has developed their very own mobile platform called Android. Android is not a proprietary mobile platform, but could be run (eventually) on many different mobile phones. To date, it is only being run on T-Mobile's G1.

This platform is on the order of magnitude and capability of Apple's hugely popular iPhone. This includes simular web capabilities, music storage and, of course, cell phone capabilities. Also, just like the iPhone, there is an app store where one can go to download apps. There are some slight differences, however...

As is well known, anyone (with the know-how and tenacity to do so) may develop an application for the iPhone which will then be distributed on the Apple App Store. This can be done to incorporate any of the iPhone features, such as its camera, GPS, acceloromitor, etc. However, in developing an app for the iPhone, you are not allowed to alter any code other than your own. This means that one is not able alter any of the main functionality of the phone or incorporate any existing apps and their capabilities into your own.

For better or worse, Android is different... much different. Android allows you to edit and encorporate any of the code for any of the software contained on the phone. This include all of its main platform functionalities. For instance, if you don't like the layout of the home screen, no problem. You have every right to re-write the home screen code to make it just the way you like it. You can also do this with other apps that you download. Consequentially, if you have an app idea that incorporates picture editing, but you do not want to write your own photo editing software, you can just add on one that someone else has already built.

This capability is unique to the Android platform and is likely to lend itself to some very innovative apps. If you have a cool idea that could be developed for the Android mobile platform, you can submit your idea to Prelude Mobile here.