Future of Android in India

Android has not only arrived in India but it is all set to give the iconic Apple (Windows Mobile, too) A run for their money. Although the Android phone first came to India in June last year, it has found many admirers since so first let know what Android is.

Android is an operating system, designed to be compatible with any mobile phone. The whole venture started as asmall setup -  Android Inc. -  based in California. The scenario changed, though, when google finally bought Android Inc., worked further on the OS and launched it as open source in October 2008. The tech giant endeavored to make the OS compatible with its other products such as Gmail, google Maps, Orkut, ets.


Designed as an open-source system, Android was launched to pose stiff competition to Google’s competitors. As the name suggests, the open-source software is open to all and anyone can access the codes to develop his/her version. Developers across the world work on open source software to create applications, patches, ets., thereby opening doors to endless possibilities.

Even though the Android phone poses a serious threat to Apple’s iPhone, it is still a newbie. Yet, geeks and tech freaks have shown keen interest while industry biggies are coming up with more innovative models every day. Bharti Airtel has been the pioneering force in launching India’s first Android powered mobile phone  – HTC Magic. Other cell phone manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung and Tata have followed suit and launched high-end phones based on the Android OS. Although Indian service providers are building customised features to enhance user experience, Airtel and Tata Docomo seem to be ruling the Android domain, so far. As a result, customers subscribing to other companies may have to wait or buy new mobile connections from supporting service providers.

Says Michale Rayfiel, NVIDIA’s General manager for mobile business: “As the mobile phone becomes our most personal computer, the user experience has never been more important. NVIDIA will be working within the Open Handset Alliance to enable rich media acceleration on a new-generation of devices based on the Android Platform.”

That is good news, especially when an Indian customer has to shell out anywhere between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000 to own an Android. But the craze for Android-powered phones is definitely on the rise and more handsets with competitive price tags are sure to hit the market.

Innovators, however, gone one step ahead and predict the invasion of the Android OS in other spheres of life. “Android, as an application environment and platform, is not restricted to mobile phones alone,” says gokul  Subramanayam, Senior Director (Worldwide Wireless Application Software Development) of Texas Instruments, India. “It will trigger new-wave applications that will meet Indian market needs. Smartphone and new consumer Device categories can leverage Android to develop Differentiated applications and services,” he elaborates.
Will the Android go way beyond the smart phones then and trigger off an open-source electronic revolution of sorts? From net book to set-top boxes, from consumer electronics to industrial equipment -  Android can add a new paradigm to innovations. Till then, enjoy your Android phone and follow the cool apps coming up.
Android has not only arrived in India but it is all set to give the iconic Apple (Windows Mobile, too) A run for their money. Although the Android phone first came to India in June last year, it has found many admirers since so first let know what Android is.

Android is an operating system, designed to be compatible with any mobile phone. The whole venture started as asmall setup -  Android Inc. -  based in California. The scenario changed, though, when google finally bought Android Inc., worked further on the OS and launched it as open source in October 2008. The tech giant endeavored to make the OS compatible with its other products such as Gmail, google Maps, Orkut, ets.
Designed as an open-source system, Android was launched to pose stiff competition to Google’s competitors. As the name suggests, the open-source software is open to all and anyone can access the codes to develop his/her version. Developers across the world work on open source software to create applications, patches, ets., thereby opening doors to endless possibilities.

Even though the Android phone poses a serious threat to Apple’s iPhone, it is still a newbie. Yet, geeks and tech freaks have shown keen interest while industry biggies are coming up with more innovative models every day. Bharti Airtel has been the pioneering force in launching India’s first Android powered mobile phone  – HTC Magic. Other cell phone manufacturers like Motorola, Samsung and Tata have followed suit and launched high-end phones based on the Android OS. Although Indian service providers are building customised features to enhance user experience, Airtel and Tata Docomo seem to be ruling the Android domain, so far. As a result, customers subscribing to other companies may have to wait or buy new mobile connections from supporting service providers.

Says Michale Rayfiel, NVIDIA’s General manager for mobile business: “As the mobile phone becomes our most personal computer, the user experience has never been more important. NVIDIA will be working within the Open Handset Alliance to enable rich media acceleration on a new-generation of devices based on the Android Platform.”

That is good news, especially when an Indian customer has to shell out anywhere between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000 to own an Android. But the craze for Android-powered phones is definitely on the rise and more handsets with competitive price tags are sure to hit the market.

Posted in: Tech