Android has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the world of mobiles. The past two years has seen the mobile operating system burgeon from a whispered Google side project into one of the most important developments for mobile handsets outside of the iPhone. Read our guide to find out what all the fuss is about.
Although originally pioneered by HTC, now nearly every major handset manufacturer wants a slice of the Android cake, and subsequently some of the most exciting up and coming handsets for 2010 will be sporting now-familiar green robot somewhere on their homescreens.
But what makes Android so special? And what does the future hold for this relatively new player in the mobile market? Check out our Top 10 Android Facts for all you need to know...
It's open for everyone
The biggest unique trait of Android is that it was - and is - the first free, open source and fully customisable mobile platform. This means that any developer can design any type of application for it without most traditional restrictions. It also meant that when it launched, it was easy and cheap for the industry to adopt.
It has over 65 fans
The Open Handset Alliance consists of over 65 technology industry movers and shakers committed to promoting open standards over all mobile devices, primarily using Android. These include mobile phone big-hitters such as Samsung, LG, HTC, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, as well as other technology players such as Asus, Garmin, Toshiba and Acer.
It's a multi-tasker
Android is one of the first of the new breed of mobile operating systems that made it possible to run multiple applications at once. So you can respond to a Tweet while listening to streamed music, while buying some theatre tickets online, while checking your location on Google Maps.
Many of the more popular apps have had widgets designed for them, meaning that you can have a live mini version of them running right there on your homescreen.
It loves Google
Unsurprisingly, Google applications run fantastically well on Android devices, giving you a strong suite of features to get you up and running. There's push Gmail, Google Maps, Google Talk, Google Voice and, of course, web search. And because all these apps run in the Google cloud rather than on your phone, syncing is easy and memory isn't used up unneccessarily.
It also loves cake...
Each new iteration of the Android OS has been given a sweet-sounding name, starting with 1.5 Cupcake and travelling through Donut to the current 2.0 Éclair. We already know that the next iteration will be called Froyo (frozen yoghurt), with Gingerbread on the horizon after that.
... but makes sure it stays healthy
Most newer handsets being released run Android 2.0 or 2.1 - some of the major improvements being 3D graphics capabilities (as in the ability to handle the Google Earth app and render more "interactive" background wallpapers); multiple Gmail account support and Microsoft Exchange email support plus increased voice support.
It's primed for innovation
Recent announcements for new Android services include Adobe AIR coming to the platform. This means that we should see even more slick, Flash-based multimedia applications. Perhaps most excitingly, a new translation tool named Google Goggles Translate has just been demoed - it will let Google phones read written words with their cameras, and translate them in an instant.
Its app store is growing
The single biggest draw of the iPhone is the scale and simplicity of its app store. While Android Market may still be a relative minnow in the app store ecosystem, it's improving all the time. Most of the most popular apps are now available in Android, so you'll find support for Facebook, Twitter, Spotify et al, as well as some interesting experiments, such as augmented reality app Layar.
Its handset roster just got bigger
2010 looks set to be another exciting year for Android, with many manufacturers announcing their second and third-generation devices, which should mean more sophisticated functions and better integration. Look out for the HTC Legend and Desire, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini, the Motorola Quench and the Acer Liquid e. And, of course, there are already whispers of a Google Nexus 2.
It's not just for mobiles
The Android platform is not just for phones - HP has announced the Compaq AirLife 100 "smartbook", while Dell has already demoed a touchscreen Android slate and there's even a dual-screen Android eBook reader. As more manufacturers recognise the advantages of a light, free, adaptable OS we'll see a slew of new Android-powered devices - and a variety of new form factors to match.
Discuss this topic in our Mobile & Apps Forum.