What is Android after all?

So what this hype is all about and what in the world is Android?

Android is an OS (operating system) that runs on millions and millions of mobile phones, tablets, and other devices. It is created by Google led consortium of 86 software, hardware and web companies known as Open Handset Alliance and is open source in nature. Which means that it is available freely to be distributed with a strong community behind it. Primarily for the fact that no one knows web and user data handling better than Google, we can assume that Google's patronage makes Android, operating system of choice for smart phones and apps requiring to have seamless integration with internet data.

With the advent of smart phones and sophisticated hand held devices, Android became the most shipped operating system in the world with over 300 million copies distributed world wide till last quarter of 2010.

For those of you interested to know in further detail about the Android project and open source operating system itself, here is the link to Android project website:

What is Android in its genuine terms?

Big Question: Why I wanted to learn Android Development?

I must admit that I have been obsessed by app development since some time now.  Despite all my efforts, I have not been able to give it a look till date.

However, today I decided that I would allocate some hours weekly on self learning and focus on my goal to get a hold on this challenge as well as log my performance in that respect.

Currently I develop scopes for apps for one of the leading app development companies in the world. And that is enough to answer everyone's wierd question as why I want to learn android development.

After spending 15 years in the field of database development, working hardcore in PHP/mySQL, winning a UNV award back in 2005, staying in a financial institution and finally, stopping by at Appster, I seriously started taking my time out for app development. But the big question was - where to start on this quest. App development was a hot trend in the market. iPhones and Androids, both had their share of love in the market.

However, my little research revealed that Android had actually captured more than 85% of the market share since its launch as compared to iPhone. And also, while working on my everyday projects, I came to know that android was the focus of companies and people in search of developing apps for industry usage rather than for fun.

Hence, with reference to my previous exposure in financial and logistics industries, and my love for Google's versatility, I prefer to chose Android as my OS of choice for learning app development