The State of the Android Operating System

Theres no denying it anymore, Google's Android operating system is poised to dominate the mobile market, with the only thing holding it back being consumer knowledge it is only a matter of time before it overcomes the iPhone. Today, however I would like to speak on the current state and briefly on how I see the next year or so panning out.

*The Android experience I am commenting on is driven via my 13 month old T-Mobile G1 running firmware 1.6 and CyanogenMod 4.2.9.1* 

Browser:
Overall, its great and has worked for me in every situation where I needed web access and was not near a PC. Multi touch is what you would expect and it just works. It has bookmarks, history and Google gears compatibility so really, unless flash is reasonable on a mobile device and aside from always appreciated speed enhancements no further work is required here.

Market:
I've been with Android since 1.0 and I have watched this app grow from an innocent collection of few to the amazing little phone enhancer. It was recently found that the Android Market contained over 16,000 apps and I can tell you from personal experience that I use it in a completely different way now than I did a matter of months ago. When I first obtained my G1 every day or two I would go through the list of new applications in the market and was able to see all of the ones added since I last checked in a matter of minutes and be on my way. Now, I don't even bother going through because not only are there too many to go through but most of them seem to be themes or other add-ons for other apps and before long I am frustrated with the whole experience. So now I wait until I hear about a new app from a review site or news update before I open Marketplace and simply search for it.

To fix this situation Google needs to improve what it has already done. That is not only allow you to narrow down results to different categories and "top free"/"top paid" or "just in" but allow you to actively filter out different categories such as add ons while still obtaining a list of the newest apps.

Google Voice/Dialer:
I am reviewing these two apps together as I use them as one and here, is where the genius of Google Voice (formerly GandCentral) really shows. The basic premise of Google Voice is that you have many places where you can be reached and your cell phone is not always the best option. Personally, I only have one real place that I want people to get a hold of me at but it affords me unlimited texting via my data plan, visual (and transcripted) voice mail among other things such as a central location for all of my contacts. I refuse to use anything but an Android device now because it allows me to know that I will always have access to my contacts and I no long have the common problem that a cheap flip phone breaks and I suddenly have lost all of my contacts with no hope of retrieving them. All in all, after Apple denied Google Voice access to the iPhones App Store it became clear that Google Voice was Androids killer app and once it leaves invite only beta and everyone that wants it can use it the masses will embrace it and never understand how they survived without it.

On Screen Keyboard:
As most Android devices are keyboard less the on screen keyboard has become the most used part of the device and this is another part of Android that has grown by leaps and bounds.
When the G1 debuted there was no on screen keyboard and I can tell you that it hurt. Sending a quick "ok" text meant that you flip the keyboard out and punch the keys. With the 1.5 ("Cupcake") release, that simple action was made easier and now with its word prediction software I use it nearly exclusively and aside from the rare occurrences when I end up sending a message stating the "I haven't heard from Texas" when I meant "I haven't heard from Reza" (true story) I am completely satisfied with what Google has offered. Except for some useful buttons that they could add, such as a ".com" button it works beautifully.

Camera/Camcorder:
As the quality of both the camera and camcorder varies from device to device I am simply commenting on the app itself and the options and features it provides. In the settings option, you are presented with many ways to customize your stills and videos for the setting and intended use of the item. For example, if you are planning to send the picture to a friend it wont help either of you if it takes 10 minutes to download on their flip phone, you want a low quality picture in that case. But if you find yourself without a proper camera at an event you want the highest quality available and Android provides you that option as the same is true for video as well.

Final Thoughts:
As you now understand Google's Android has come a long way, has a long way to go and is ultimately bound for dominance. This wont come easily though and probably not even in the coming year unless Google pulls a major upset for Apple fails to bring the iPhone to the level that Google is challenging it to.


I welcome all comments and any inquiries. Please forwarded them to Stephen.Nuytten@gmail.com for response.