And I Thought Androids Were All About Sci-Fi - November 13, 2007
The first time I heard the term Android was on an episode of Star Trek–not the Next Generation–The first generation. Robots that walked and acted somewhat human–albeit with very limited personality. They mostly created havoc for the crew whose mission it was to explore new planets and boldly go where no man had gone before. Of course the Next Generation of Trek created androids who were good guys. Oddly, they looked less human, but seemed to be evolving into a kinder, gentler sort of being, even if they were
still arificial. Commander Data gave droids a good name again. R2D2 added spunk, C3PO added emotion; and then there were the androids of Austin Powers’ movies–the fembots–who were downright nasty.
Androids have been the subject of many tales of science fiction, and up until now, the tales have been largely that–fiction. There is, however, a new android about to be unveiled. It will impact our existence in new, different, and unimaginable ways.
Google announced its plans to create a cellphone more than a year ago. It will operate on a platform Google refers to as Android. What makes Android so interesting is that it is not only going to be Google’s operating system; it will also be open for anyone to program over who is so inclined. An open system for cellphones. What a concept. Get ready for the floodgates to open with all sorts of applications that catapult cellphone and mobile communication to a new era.
The operating system will reportedly be deployed by such heretofore walled-garden giants as Sprint Nextel and Verizon Wireless.
It was less than a year ago that everyone was heralding the new iPhone as the new wave. It was widely speculated that the Apple operating system would be licensed to other providers because of its superiority. I can only wonder what sorts of technological advancements in communication, mobile gaming, and advertising will evolve once the entire world of bright techno-geniuses from Silicon Valley all the way to New Delhi put their efforts into exploring all the new possibilities that exist. Like the first generation of Star Trek, we’ll be boldly going where no man has gone before…and an Android will take us there.
Apple must already be feeling outmanned-by an Android.