How Can Google Improve Android And Future G1 Type Cellular Devices. 5 Suggestions.

Several other articles on Brighthub which myself or my staff have written have introduced the Google Android Mobile Operating System, however I wanted to give a refresher for first time visitors to the site.

Google Android is an open source and thus scaleable Mobile operating system that allows software developers more freedom in terms of creating new software options that can in essence operate as first party rather than standard third party applications. The OS is pretty much available to any handset manufacturer that requests it, and more importantly its based on a Linux backbone which means there are quite a few developers that at least understand the basics of the programs backbone.

Google is also offering the Google Android Marketplace to rival the Apple Apps Store, offering third party applications which are actually easier to get listed that the programs available via the Apple Apps Store.

The above description is definitely not an indepth look at Android, but hopefully it at least lets newbies know what's on the horizon and allows them to see the scaleable possibilities of the program.

The first phone, or rather the first Pocket PC (Touchscreen enabled device) is the T-Mobile G1 a device manufactured by the number 1 selling Windows Mobile manufacturer in the world, HTC. The G1 is a device that features a 3.2 inch screen, offers a 528mhz processor, and even offers up to 32GB of added memory via a MicroSDHC card slot (Although 16GB cards are currently the largest available on the market). The G1 also features WiFi 802.11 b/g internet access, offers 192MB RAM and 256MB ROM, and includes the all important 3G data connection offering that has begun to dominate the high speed data market for cellular devices. We also can't forget the devices 3MP camera, while the G1 also features a sliding qwerty keyboard (Take that iPhone and iPhone 3G), and offers a ton of Google based applications for use with the device built-in GPS and Assisted GPS offers (AGPS) along with use for the devices accelerometer and much more.

That's a basic overview of the device and its main specs, of course it offers more than I've listed but that's a good start for understanding what the world's first Google Android phone will offer, personally I like the specs on the HTC G1, however there are some additions that need to be addressed so lets take a look at some suggestions to improve the Android system while offering devices that can really compete in the cellular marketplace

1. Video Support Needs To Be Added - I was surprised to find out that the G1 and for that matter Google Android only supports video playback for Youtube videos. Google's idea here is that third party developers can create a video player option and then add it to the Google Marketplace. On the one hand this means talented programmers can compete to develop better, more streamlined and specialized video players, on the other hand it means no video support is offered out of the box, for a device marketed towards the everyday user this is a big minus on the Android front. If anything I would suggest Google at least release a "beta" player with video recording support and allow programs to build upon the open source of the code, this could be a great way to develop a standardized backbone in which programmers can build upon eachothers successes to build the ultimate mobile video player.

2. Desktop Sync? - As of right now there is no desktop sync option. This alone creates some big issues with the Google Android System. Windows Mobile, Symbian, even Blackberry devices off syncing options that allow users to more easily create a seemless connection between their devices and their desktop operating systems. Google is again leaving this option up to third party developers, in fact during the official webinar release of the T-Mobile G1 it was hinted at several times that the developers were attempting to create a stand along device, which is all fine and good until a developer creates a Microsoft Exchange application and then users start demanding more connectivity. Users can sync to Google Contact and Calendar, but first you have to move all your contacts over, I understand this allows for more control on Google's end, but it can create needless work for users.

3. Increased Hardware Abilities - Where is multi-touch? Don't get me wrong the display is great at 3.2 inches on the HTC G1, but in order to compete and offer true easy navigation users need multi-touch capabilities. The device is also missing a dedicated headphone jack, and the RAM and ROM are not top notch considering other devices on the market such as the recently announced HTC Touch HD among others. The screen on the device could also use a virtual keyboard, as of right now you have to enter all of your text via the keyboard, which is great when your typing alot, but all that opening and closing on your keyboard can get annoying and overtime wear down the unit.

4. 3G Needs More Abilities - I was happy to hear about the Amazon MP3 store ability until I heard that users can only download tracks over their WiFi connections. 3G is being so highly promoted these days I think Google needs to step up and work on a way to allow for 3G downloads, especially considering iPhones 3G abilities and Symbian V9.5 around the horizon which will offer some of the best data connection abilities on the market if everything works as they've recently advertised.

5. Stronger RoadMap / Direction Is Needed - Google keeps referring to the fact that "developers will eventually create the programs users want" which is great in theory, but a stronger roadmap for what they plan in the future would be a great way to get developers thinking down the road and outside the box. On the one hand the millions of dollars in development prizes Google has awarded has helped bring in new "minds" to help with the development of apps, but a more focused contest focusing on core components would have been more valuable, for lets say developers looking to create a Video Playback and Video record option, or 3G over the air capabilties, etc.

While it may seem like I'm complaining above i'm really not. In fact I think the Google Android OS and the HTC G1 are a great fit for each other, the Android OS is one of the most intuitive mobile operating systems i've ever seen, and the G1 is a very capable smartphone, its just that both are essentially "Beta" versions of what's to come, hopefully Google will structure their future roadmaps in a way that gets developers excited while drawing at much feedback from users as possible, the Google Apps Marketplace already allows users to rate the programs they download, hopefully their comments and ratings will be heard and continue to move the Google Android Mobile Operating System further into the market.