[TheRealHotshot]

Originally Posted by quarky42

Each phone runs an operating system, just like your computer on your desk (or in your lap) runs an operating system.

Many phones run some custom operating system with no name....just the software the manufacturer made up. Many phones run Windows Mobile. Other phones run the iPhone operating system (iphones of course). Many phone run an operating system called Symbian.

Android is another option of operating system. What makes it an interesting choice is that it won't be locked down by Apple. It won't be locked down by Microsoft. Up until now, Windows Mobile was one of the most flexible operating systems in terms of allowing programmers to create what ever program they wanted for it.... but there were limitations to this.

Android on the other hand is based off of a Linux operating system and is even more open for changes, addons, etc. Android in and of itself isn't anything special, but what it will allow in the future is a huge step in customization of phone software.

Example: You and your friend both have the same phone, both run a future version of Android, but your phones are very differently because you both have customized your phones in different ways.

Developers/Programmers will have direct access to the hardware which in turn should allow for better performance applications.

Ok cool. So pretty much a OS that can be custom to DEATH and beyond lol.