IMHO, Android is going to be big, no make that huge. I say this from the perspective of a developer and I can actually feel the Android initiative accelerating under my feet. I have to say that Google have followed the Microsoft approach to developers (embracing) rather than the Symbian model (which involves a barge pole). Google are aggresively targeting the developer community which will drive content for devices which will attract manufacturers and operators and ultimately combined with sexy devices, gets end users. I predict a race occuring amongst handset manufacturers to be first to market with the ‘G-Phone’.
The Linux core makes for a solid foundation, and Google have built a compelling and architecturily comprehensive developer stack. Looks real good. My only concern is the security model which I haven’t had a chance to examine yet, especially around the XMPP android to android data protocol.
I downloaded and installed the SDK and ran up the emulator, and I was very impressed with its performance and integration. Obviously it can’t make a call, but the data services are hooked up so that the internet is available as if it were a real phone for app testing. At first glance the emulator works as well as it looks!
Can’t wait to receive my first real test device!
