Dumb Question: What is an android?

Jude2444 · 05-21-2011, 11:11 AM

How is iy different from an ereader or cell phone?

HarryT · 05-21-2011, 11:14 AM

Android is an operating system written by Google. Either an e-book reader or a cell phone can run the Android operating system. Eg, the Nook Color e-book reader runs Android, as do lots of different models of cell phone.

DiapDealer · 05-21-2011, 11:35 AM

Androids may (or may not) dream of electric sheep. Ereaders and cell phones definitely do not.

Quexos · 05-21-2011, 11:36 AM

You are asking what is AN android so the proper answer is: a creature or a machine that is similar in appearance as a man. You could say humanoid too I guess.

Now if you are asking what is Android, then yes, it's an OS

TotallyEpic · 05-21-2011, 11:54 AM

It's a lightweight embedded operating system that was developed by Android, who were then purchased by Google. It's Open Source Software (OSS) so it is easy and free for manufacturers to use it on their products, with uses ranging from Cell Phones, MP3 Players, eReaders, Tablets, Laptops and many other uses.

Penforhire · 05-21-2011, 05:47 PM

Other device OS's include Apple's iOS, Windows Mobile (or is it called Phone now?), BlackBerry, Palm, and Symbian.

ApK · 05-23-2011, 09:08 AM

"Webster's 24th century dictionary, 5th addition, defines an android as an automaton made to resemble a human being."
-- Data, ST-TNG

crich70 · 05-23-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Androids may (or may not) dream of electric sheep. Ereaders and cell phones definitely do not.

Groan. The OP certainly walked into that one. I wonder if Philip K. Dick's books are ebooks yet. lol.

ApK · 05-23-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

Groan. The OP certainly walked into that one. I wonder if Philip K. Dick's books are ebooks yet. lol.

Yup, sure are.

jersysman · 05-23-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crich70

Groan. The OP certainly walked into that one...

Well the OP did say it was a dumb question... so they are excused this time!

mcrow24 · 05-23-2011, 03:45 PM

Android is just a broad term for the mobile operating system that was designed by google.

It's very simple to use but fairly robust operating system (and OP is the base software used by a device like windows, mac..ect).

Most Android setups on cellphones work pretty similar and even look similar. The android on the e-ink nook does not look quite the same as the nook color or other devices but if you can use one you should be able to figure them all out.

Augen also makes some very nice (and cheap $99) netbooks based on the android.

DDHarriman · 05-23-2011, 05:08 PM

Hello

Between:
1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(robot)
and
2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)

You pick

Best regards,

mcrow24 · 05-23-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude2444

How is iy different from an ereader or cell phone?

Well, first it depends on which eReader you have. The Nooks with eInk can't use most apps as far as I know but they run a version on android. The new Nook color has a small number of apps (relative to what's availible on the Android Market place). Most of the differences are look/feel related between cellphones and full color, touch ereaders.

It's hard to explain the differne if you have not seen both. They work and looks a lot of like but may not all have the same functions. However, most of the limitations are not the OS but the hardware, from one device to the next.

For instance, my cellphone can download apps at will from Android market place, the Nook Color can't use the Market place. Most phones with android have a GPS and the software to use it, the Nook does not. I can download music direct from Amazon on my phone, I cannot download MP3s direct at all on the Nook, though they can be loaded.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's sort of like buying a car with several versions with different options and capabilities.

The Nook color will probably have a lot more apps and thing as they go.

bobavey · 05-24-2011, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quexos

You are asking what is AN android so the proper answer is: a creature or a machine that is similar in appearance as a man. You could say humanoid too I guess.

Now if you are asking what is Android, then yes, it's an OS

I not robot, but he robot.

boxcorner · 05-25-2011, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobavey

I not robot, but he robot.

She not robot?

05-21-2011, 11:11 AM	#1
Jude2444 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Sony PRS650	Dumb Question: What is an android? How is iy different from an ereader or cell phone?

05-23-2011, 05:08 PM	#12
DDHarriman Guru Posts: 860 Karma: 4380 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Almada, Portugal Device: Cybook Gen3, Sony PRS 505, Kindle DXG and Samsung Galaxy Note	Hello Between: 1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(robot) and 2 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) You pick Best regards, Last edited by DDHarriman; 05-23-2011 at 05:19 PM.

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05-21-2011, 11:14 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Android is an operating system written by Google. Either an e-book reader or a cell phone can run the Android operating system. Eg, the Nook Color e-book reader runs Android, as do lots of different models of cell phone.

05-21-2011, 11:35 AM	#3
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,547 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Androids may (or may not) dream of electric sheep. Ereaders and cell phones definitely do not.

05-21-2011, 11:36 AM	#4
Quexos Member Retired Posts: 1,999 Karma: 11348924 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Limbo Device: none	You are asking what is AN android so the proper answer is: a creature or a machine that is similar in appearance as a man. You could say humanoid too I guess. Now if you are asking what is Android, then yes, it's an OS

05-21-2011, 11:54 AM	#5
TotallyEpic Enthusiast Posts: 31 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3 3G + Wifi	It's a lightweight embedded operating system that was developed by Android, who were then purchased by Google. It's Open Source Software (OSS) so it is easy and free for manufacturers to use it on their products, with uses ranging from Cell Phones, MP3 Players, eReaders, Tablets, Laptops and many other uses.

05-21-2011, 05:47 PM	#6
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Other device OS's include Apple's iOS, Windows Mobile (or is it called Phone now?), BlackBerry, Palm, and Symbian.

05-23-2011, 09:08 AM	#7
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,316 Karma: 67862884 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	"Webster's 24th century dictionary, 5th addition, defines an android as an automaton made to resemble a human being." -- Data, ST-TNG

05-23-2011, 03:45 PM	#11
mcrow24 Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 35788 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle,Augen "The book", Nook	Android is just a broad term for the mobile operating system that was designed by google. It's very simple to use but fairly robust operating system (and OP is the base software used by a device like windows, mac..ect). Most Android setups on cellphones work pretty similar and even look similar. The android on the e-ink nook does not look quite the same as the nook color or other devices but if you can use one you should be able to figure them all out. Augen also makes some very nice (and cheap $99) netbooks based on the android.