Android is an OS that was developed for tablet devices and mobile phones. First developed by a business called Android, it was eventually bought out by Google. Google went on to further its development in collaboration with other interested parties through an organisation called the Open Handset Alliance. It is meant to be an open standard, which encourages companies and individuals to collaborate to produce the best possible operating system. Smartphones using Android as their base platform have now overtaken other rivals, such as Apple, to be the best selling in the marketplace.
Android addresses a variety of necessary functionality such as connectivity, surfing the web, touchscreen interface, video calls, Java and multimedia support. This allows companies like HTC to focus on design and features in the manufacture of their smartphones.
There are a large number of Android smartphones on the market, including the HTC Desire S and the LG Optimus Black. Both these have a GPS device included in the phone. Used in conjunction with apps such as Google Maps, it can turn these mobiles into Android sat nav devices.