Google Android will not replace Windows as the operating system for your PC, but it may become the operating system for your next portable computer. Right now, you may test drive Google Android on your PC, and you may download programming tools to begin developing your own applications. Verizon and AT&T are already advertising small netbooks; four other major hardware manufacturers will introduce Adroid-powered netbooks early in 2010.

Your cell phone has evolved into a handheld computer

Although you still refer to the device as your cell “phone,” you hardly ever use it for simple conversation. Instead, you send text messages, get directions, play games, and check the links with your Facebook and Twitter. Your cell has evolved into a powerful handheld computer with more ROM and RAM than your desktop unit had just a few years ago. Until recently, Apple’s revolutionary iPhone owned the market, facing very little serious competition. Blackberry dominated the business market but accounted for only 15% of United States market share. At the end of October, 2009, however, Verizon and T-Mobile introduced the American market to new phones built on the Google Android operating system. The Motorola Cliq and similar Google Android units raised the stakes in the rapidly expanding, now fiercely competitive 3G market.

Google Android Revolutionizes the Handheld Market

In October, 2008, T-Mobile launched its first Android system in the UK. Its sales of broadband devices immediately increase 250% over the last quarter of 2007, and the company gained nearly four million new contract customers. Rock solid market research supported the timing and target for T-Mobile’s United States debut of its Google Android operated Cliq: T-Mobile customers’ text message and access social networks from their handheld units more than customers of any other service provider. They were ready for the upgrade.

Google Android gives the Cliq Motoblur a distinct advantage over all of its rivals, combining text messages, e-mail, photo services, and social networks all on one home screen. Users need not open and manipulate separate apps to keep up with all their incoming messages and information. Less territorial and proprietary than iPhone and Blackberry, Google Android supports Facebook, Twitter, G-Mail and a host of other e-mail services; of course, it also connects with Google Maps and Picassa. The 5 mega-pixel camera built into the Cliq rivals most mid-priced stand-alone digital cameras.

As user-friendly as the Apple system and just as powerful, Google Android offers the most popular applications and web links, but still lags behind the competition in specialty apps and widgets. Capitalizing on its open-source design, Google cleverly has “outsourced” much of its new app development to amateur programmers and teen-aged computer wizards with time and ROM on their hands. Google plans to close the app-gap by inviting independent code writers to submit innovative apps for handsome rewards.

How to Use Google Android on Your PC

Caution: Google Android software for PC primarily provides programming and coding tools for development of new applications. Although its basic tutorials introduce you to features and functions in Google Android, it is not intended as promotional or demonstration material.

Do not attempt to download and install Android emulator software on your PC unless you have adequate back-up and restore capacity for your Windows operating system and reasonable proficiency with sophisticated software installation. Although the Android software comes directly from Google and poses no threat from viruses, malware, or adware, you load applications one at a time and not every application may be compatible with other programs running on your PC. If you do not feel comfortable working with your PC system, you should test drive the Google Android at your local T-Mobile, Verizon, or Sprint Retailer.

Industry analysts predict a dazzling array of new netbooks and “smartbooks” powered by Google Android will appear on the market early in 2010. During the summer and fall of 2009, smartbook makers showed their best new products at trade shows and consumer electronics exhibitions in Asia and Europe. Without exception, the new lightweight, low-battery, high-powered laptop/cell phone hybrids ran on the Android operating system, because no other software matches its power and versatility.

While you wait for Google Android netbooks to make their marketplace debut, you can test drive the system and experiment with its tools and apps using an Android emulator. You easily can download the emulator from Google’s software development page. Even with broadband, the download takes at least forty-five minutes, and extracting the files may take another thirty minutes. But the program files and applications include not only an advanced emulator and Google Android links but also a handsome collection of programming tools.

How to Download a Google Android Emulator

• Google’s own software development page remains the safest source of a free download.
• Simply choose your platform and click.
• When the file finishes downloading, unpack it to a secure location on your hard drive.
• Then, open the “Tools” file and double-click “emulator.exe.” Like all “.exe” files, this one will make the emulator functional on your PC.
• Once the emulator is up and running, feel free to play with programs and features as you choose.

Photo by textlad

Google’s Android emulator lets you experiment with almost everything you could do on a phone or netbook running the operating system. Google Android SDK provides an excellent preview of the environment, ways to adapt and customize it, and how to use the basic factory-installed applications. You can play with skins and screen resolutions, and you especially can discover the operating system’s seamless integration with Google applications on the web. Android links especially well with Google maps. Although you cannot actually place calls, you can simulate the calling function, and you easily can access the web.

If you elect to try the programming software, installing specific applications from the Android emulator becomes more complicated, because you must adjust your Windows environment to accommodate several of the applications. You will need to adjust your environment variables, adding the Android format—“.apk.” Then, you will install individual application files into your emulator tools. The process requires some patience and careful attention to the details in the documentation for your Windows system and Android. If you have the requisite experience, skills, and confidence, the developer software will give you a privileged glimpse into the next generation of mobile software and the wonders of open-source designware.

However, weight, screen size, overall dimensions, keyboard, battery life, connectivity options are some essentials that you need to mull over when buying your laptop. Here are some of these essentials that you need to ponder.

Processor:

For fast performance and better functionality your device must be robust in the power department and it has been found noticed that laptops with Intel’s core dual processors are considerably faster than those with single core processors especially in multitasking. Many laptops are also coming with AMD, Athlon Turion 64×2 dual core processors that also look nice for improved performance. In most of low-end laptops Intel’s Celeron M processor is being used.

Battery life:

Battery life is the most important thing to consider in a portable device, as they can support you for longer time away from charging only if they have good battery life, otherwise they often leave you in chaos and anxiety when you are in middle of something really very important. But the good thing is that battery life is being improved in notebooks with every passing day and you can find some laptops whose battery life can keep you on work even for nine hours without charging.

Weight and design:

What the use of a laptop if you have to face difficulty in carrying it especially during travel. That’s why it is quite important to pick such a device as you can easily take with yourself anywhere you want to go. Similarly, the best design is one that can offer you maximum comfort and ease when in use. All users have to accustomed with their notebook keyboard, but if these keyboards are friendly and offer you enough space ton adjust your fingers accordingly, you can easily do so, and if it is not so, it becomes somewhat difficult for you to get accustomed with. Screen is another important thing to consider when looking for design.

Important features and specs:

System memory, graphics memory, hard drive, optical devices, webcam and communication and connectivity paraphernalia like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB ports are some other important specs and features that you need to consider when buying a laptop.

Price:

All the above stated things depend on price and they can be got at their best if you are willing to spend some good amounts for them, but you can get them all even in lower price, but somewhat inferior in quality. So, price is the most important thing that you need to consider when buying a laptop and mull over it how can you get the best, in a price that suits you.

Photo by Merry~Blues

Are you going to start a home based business? If so, one of the most important purchases that you will make is your computer. When it comes down to it, every successful business has some sort of computer behind it. Sure, there are some industries where this is not always the case, but most of the time you need a computer to succeed.

When it comes to buying a home office computer, there are details that you need to consider above all else. Remember, the decision that you make is an important one. Not only will your computer help you to get off to a good start, but this is more than likely the first major purchase that you will make. If you do not get what you want the first time around, you may find yourself purchasing another computer quickly. And for a new business, this is not a smart financial decision.

Here are three steps that show you how to buy a home office computer with a high level of efficiency and success.

1. Your budget will determine what type of computer you buy. There are some that you will be able to afford, and probably a few that are out of your price range. Of course, you may have a huge budget that allows you to buy any computer on the market. With that being said, this may not be the best decision. After all, you may not need a computer that is loaded with all of the latest technology and software.

Luckily, the price of computers has gone down quite a bit over the past five to ten years. This makes it easier than ever for a new home business owner to find a computer that they feel comfortable with. You should not have any problems finding a high quality desktop or laptop for under $500. This may not be the direction that you decide on, but you should know that low budget computers are available.

2. Know what features and software you need on your new computer. This will be determined by the industry that you will be joining. For instance, if you are going to be a freelance writer, you may not need all the bells and whistles. In fact, as long as you have a word processing program and internet access, you should be just fine.

On the other side of things, you may be getting involved with a design oriented business. If this is the case, you will want to search for a different type of computer. There is a good chance that you will need to seek out particular software, high processing speed, and other like features.

When it comes down to it, the industry you are joining will push you towards the type of computer that you should buy.

3. Purchase from a store that has a large selection. This will give you the chance to see what is available. There are many electronic superstores, such as Best Buy, that offer a large selection of computers. To go along with this, you will be able to get help from knowledgeable staff.

With the three steps above, you should be able to buy a quality and useful home office computer. Anytime you are making such a big purchase, it is important that you take your time and make the right decision.