Intro

Everyone knows what an iPhone app is but what is all this Google Phone / Android stuff about?

Mini FAQ

1. What is a Google Phone?
2. What is Android?
3. What is an operating system?
4. Is my phone a computer?
5. Can I use iTunes AppStore on a Google Phone?

Background

When I talk to my friends or family and they ask me what I have been working on recently and I tell them a website or an iPhone app then they understand exactly what I mean and can ask pertinent questions to continue the conversation. If I happen to have been working on Android apps I am always greeted by the same blank stare of incomprehension.

To those that are inquisitive enough to ask what Android is, I try to explain that Android is an OS (operating system) basically like having Linux on your phone. This usually results in the question

"what is Linux/operating thingy?"

so I clarify that it is like Windows and I write programs for it

"Wow that’s clever you turn your phone into a computer..."

This is where I roll my eyes and just say it is like iPhone apps for Google Phones and they usually get it, some people have even heard of Google mobile phones but others are surprised to hear this.

"Google make mobile phones?"

I usually have to explain that Google do not actually make phones they just make the Android OS and companies like HTC make the actual hardware, like the HTC Nexus One which is the handset that is sold branded as a Google phone.

This makes me realise that Apple have really pulled a coup with public awareness, everyone understands what an iPhone is and that you can download and run applications (apps). Even my partner’s grandparents understand this and one of them has medals from World War Two!

The other operating system and smart phone manufacturers would do well to increase public understanding in this area. Many people it seems are simply unaware that there is an alternative to iPhone.

To do my part for public awareness here is a small list of questions and answers:

Mini FAQ

1. What is a Google Phone? 

   A "Google Phone" is like an iPhone.

   They are phones that use the Android OS instead of iPhone OS.

2. What is Android? 

   Android is an operating system for mobile devices (phones)

3. What is an operating system? 

   An operating system is just a big program that runs all the time, it makes the computer work. Here are some operating systems for desktop computers and laptops you may be familiar with

   • Windows (XP, Vista, 7, etc.)
   • MAC OSX
   • Linux (Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, etc..)

   There are also operating systems on mobile devices (phones, tablet PCs) these work in the same way but are a bit smaller so that they can work inside a mobile phone

   • iPhone
   • Android
   • Symbian
   • Windows Mobile
   • Blackberry

   Apple are the only manufacturers that use the iPhone operating system but other manufacturers produce many different phones and often use different operating systems for different models. Some of the most famous manufacturers are listed below

   • HTC
   • HP
   • Nokia
   • LG
   • Samsung
   • Sony Ericsson

4. Is my phone a computer? 

   Yes, if you have a smart phone (eg iPhone) then you can think of it a computer that fits in your pocket and you can use to do almost anything you can do on a normal computer.

5. Can I use iTunes AppStore on a Google Phone? 

   No, AppStore is for iPhone only but each mobile phone operating system has its own equivalent of AppStore which work in similar ways to allow you download free and paid for mobile apps. For example the Android OS has Android Market.