Android Cell

The "Android Cell" platform is the first step towards a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications.

Android cellphone platform will give consumers worldwide access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces -- ultimately creating a superior mobile experience. The Android Cell phone platform will be made available under one of the most progressive, developer-friendly open-source licenses, which gives mobile operators and device manufacturers significant freedom and flexibility to design products. The Alliance has released an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

The first Google phone is expected to challenge the Apple iPhone and Research In Motion’s BlackBerry devices in the American smartphone market. More Android-powered handsets will likely be available from other manufacturers and carriers in the months to come.

Some of the Features of the new T-Mobile G1 Android Cell phone include:

• Calls, texts, instant messages, e-mail, blogging or social networks
• High speed 3G internet with surfing even faster using the full touch screen and trackball
• The full QWERTY keyboard design makes it easy to type
• Google portfolio of services – search, IM, email and maps with GPS
• It’s the first phone with the Android Market, so users can download and add more of the applications
• Inbuilt 3 Mega pixel camera
• Available in black and white

How to Transition to an Android Based Phone Using Google The How to Manual That You Can Edit You've heard all about these phones running this new operating system called android that was released in September 2008, starting with the T-Mobile G1 on the T-Mobile US network. In all time since then, many more phones have been released running this open operating system, and if you're reading this, odds are good that you are not only getting ready to migrate to this device, but you don't want to hassle with typing in ALL OF YOUR PHONE NUMBERS again. While some data changes are inevitable, these steps will simplify the process. Most of these steps are very well covered in other sources, so this is going to be just a general run down of what you need to do. Also, while it is possible to back up many Android devices to something other than Google's servers, that's not the purpose of this howto.

Steps

1. Create a Google account. An Android device will function without a Google account. The downside, however, is that it won't function very well, and will not back up in a desirable fashion. There are exceptions, but again, that's not the purpose here.
2. Back up your old mobile phone if possible. I wrote another article about how to back up your mobile phone that gives the basic steps you need to take to set up, as well as where to get the software. Just in case, it's a good idea to have this backed up.
3. Go to Google's Sync Services web page and read up. Many phones - especially smart phones - are well covered here. Read the directions on this page and follow them to the letter. If you are successful, you will shortly see your contacts and calendar on your pages. If you see your contacts and calendar in your Google account (see below for the links), you're pretty much done - but keep reading, because this next step is a Very Good Idea.

What to do if the above steps aren't possible In many cases, your phone will not be able to sync with Google's servers as above; for these cases, here's this:

1. Export your contacts from your synchronization software. Exactly how to do this varies between synchronization packages; check the software's help file. (tip: search for the word "Export") Export to CSV and/or VCF for Contacts; for calendar, use iCal format if possible.
2. Import your contacts and calendar items to your newly created Google account. In this last step, contacts (look for the "Import" link on the main Contacts page) and calendar items (look for the "Import" link in the settings for your Calendar) are pretty cut and dry.

What to do if it is simply not possible to back up your phone to your computer Method one: GSM carriers only

1. 'Export your contacts on the old phone to your SIM card. This will hold, at most, 250 contacts.
2. Load your SIM card into your Android phone and power up.
3. On your Android phone, open Contacts, go Menu -> Import/Export, and Import from SIM card.

Method two: CDMA/IDEN carriers or GSM where the phone does not save contacts to the SIM card

1. Browse to your Google contacts page and log in. This is where you can control your Google contacts, and if you already have a Gmail account, you will probably see contacts herein.
2. Create a new entry - fill in the blanks. This is pretty easy here.
3. Remove the contact from your old phone. This is a good way to keep track of what has gone in: if it's not there on the old device, you don't need to enter it.
4. If you have any contacts left, return to step 2 (above). Keep doing this until you're done.

Tips

• If you do Google Sync, don't forget to turn on SSL - it will not work without it.
• See the link below on how to back up a mobile phone.

Warnings

• Make sure you back up your data first. The chances of loss are slim, but you never know.
• If you cannot do Google Sync, and accordingly, have to do the manual method as above, know that, any time you move from one mobile platform to another (e.g., iPhone to Android), there will be some unavoidable loss, and in the case of the contacts, some of the contacts may wind up being somewhat "mangled", for lack of a better word - that is to say, not all of the data will end up in the fields you are wanting it to. This is unfortunately normal: all platforms have slight differences in formatting that are not understood by other platforms.

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