A few weeks ago, Engadget gave a glimpse of what the first Android phone will look like. I thought it was worth posting a copy of it here as the buzz is starting to build up about it’s imminent release (due to be announced today.)

The Dream

HTC’s Android-driven Dream revealed in glorious spy photos – Engadget

In case you don’t already know, Android is the operating system that’s being developed by the Open Handset Alliance; an open source system for mobile phones, with Google apparently leading the project. (Early reports are that the Google brand will be prominent on the handset, which should be available via the T-Mobile network in the US towards the end of October.)

Essentially, it seems to be a blend of iPhone (big touch screen) and Blackberry (convenient ‘real’ keyboard.) Bear in mind that, as far as the Android platform goes, this handset is just the beginning; the system has been designed to work with all sorts of combinations of touchscreens, trackballs, cursor keys, QWERTY keyboards, ‘normal’ phones with numeric keyboards and whatever other user interfaces the future might hold.

This is the platform that I think has spurred on the development of the iPhone; not just in being open to 3rd party applications, but (in theory- we’ll see what happens when it’s released) open to deeper integration of it’s basic workings with those 3rd party applicatations and services; contact list, photos, status messages and so on. If there’s a problem with the platform (such as the problem with the iPhone’s lack of copy/paste ability), it won’t be a question of when Google will release a fix. Anyone will be able to release a fix as soon as they come up with it.

My guess is that the distinguishing factor between iPhone and Android will be the nerd factor; people who want a phone that they can control and customize will love Android. People who want a professional sheen and a phone that’s maybe not as fully-featured but easier to use will love the iPhone. But each will lead to more innovation and advances on the other platform.

I think when they reach the stage of full integration with off-and-online services, then it won’t be the question of how the mobile platforms will keep up with desktop Internet as they are trying to do now. It will be about how the Desktop can retain it’s audiences attention and keep up with Mobile.

I look forward to seeing the answer to that question.

Be Sociable, Share!