Google’s Android platform is fast becoming a household name. The search giant has been able to provide the world with an open source mobile operating system that is making hardware manufacturers happy and at the same time, providing heavy competition for those in the market. A lot of people are looking to replace their current phones and as much as many want to try out an Android device, they are wary about jumping in. This is understandable because they need to know what exactly they’re getting themselves into. If you’re one of those really interested, here’s what you need to know: 1. Get a Google account
If you don’t already have one, get one. And before you start complaining that ‘oh no, not another account!’, wait. As long as you have a Gmail account that ends with ‘@gmail.com’, you’re good. It’s a free service so you shouldn’t worry about paying any fees. The reason you have to get an account is because you need it to set up the phone. Afterall, it’s a ‘Google phone’ so you shouldn’t feel too uptight about this.
2. Make up your mind on Hardware
The fact that Android is open source means that it is available on different hardware from different manufacturers; the most popular being HTC, Samsung, Motorola, LG and Sony Ericsson. There are other manufacturers but these five have the best and most popular phones running Android.
Samsung Galaxy S II – Currently one of the highest rated Android phones 3. Know your specifications
After you’re done deciding on hardware, you need to make sure your phone is fast enough to give you a smooth user experience. The current generation of Android phones range from 1GHz single core processors to dual core processors! It is easy to get carried away and get a 800MHz processor because of the price but I warn you, the phone might disappoint you after your first major firmware update. The least specs you should be going for is the 1GHz snapdragon processor. The HTC Desire is a very good phone from last year and still is. It’s a good place to start your Android experience.
4. Skins
Manufacturers like HTC include a skin for their Android phones called HTC Sense (pictured). It is supposed to make for a more intuitive user experience but some people consider it an obstruction. Samsung have their corresponding TouchWiz and Motorola have their Motoblur. You might want to look into the phone you’re getting to make sure the skin is something you’ll like and will not be a nuisance. On the other hand, some phones come with stock android like the Droid X from Motorola and the T-Mobile G2X from LG. This is raw Android without any fancy skin atop. I kind of prefer this because it is less demanding on your phone’s hardware.
All the other stuff, you’ll have to experience it yourself when you start using the device. Before you know it, your new smartphone will be your new best friend. And then you start pointing and laughing at your friends still rocking their symbians and blackberries (with all humility though) Android is a fun, easy to use operating system. Be reminded though, that user experience will vary across different hardware and make sure that you are exactly sure about what you want before you invest in one. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions! Thanks for reading! 