What's Android?
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- A flexible Linux based operating system initially made for phones, but it now moving into tablets, computers, microwaves, stationary bikes, and even your HP Touchpad.
Early Days of Android by OS News
What's the Latest Version of Android and where can I get it?
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The latest officially open source version of Android is Jelly Bean (4.2.2)
Where can you get it?
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Here http://developer.android.com/index.html
You can't do much with that unless you're a developer.
So then what?
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Well you're at the mercy of whoever is responsible for your device (Samsung/HTC/Verizon/ATT/etc), or you can ROOT your phone and install custom firmware. Even then, you're still at the mercy of whoever is putting ROMs together for your device unless you compile the OS yourself.
Root, Roms, Bootloaders, Hacking, and Macking???
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Every device is different, so they all have different procedures for doing all those things.
*Links for major devices will be posted here if people pm the links, but more than likely this sentence will stay like this forever*
Sounds complicated, is android just poor's man iPhone?
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Yes.
I keep hearing Android is fragmented, what's up with that?
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Stop paying attention to fools. Fragmentation and Versioning are different things. There are numerous "point" versions to Android out there at any given time.
If you point your browser here:
http://developer.android.com/resources/dashboard/platform-versions.html
You can see the latest breakdown of Android devices accessing the Android Market. It's not a complete metric of Android, but it's the closest thing to an "official" count.
Android applications are forward compatible. Meaning, If a developer stops supporting their app targeted for version 2.0. It will still work on Android version 6.5.
Where can I download Apps?
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From the Android Market that's built into your phone or their site:
********None of these store are curated unless noted otherwise(not even the Android Market) so user beware********
or from the Amazon Appstore (Amazon Curates their App Store)
or from GetJAR
or from Slideme
or......
*links that people will pm for other sources.*
Current Awesome Android Phones (5/12)
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HTC One - Sense 5
Samsung Galaxy S IV - Touchwiz
Google Nexus 4 - AOSP stock android
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - Touchwiz
Sony Xperia Z/ZL - non stock launcher
LG Optimus G Pro - non stock launcher
Current Awesome Android Tablets
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Google Nexus 10 - AOSP
Google Nexus 7 - AOSP
Galaxy Note 8 - Touchwiz
Relevant Links to other NeoGAF threads
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Apps for Android |OT|
Android Gaming |OT| New OP
Show off your Android Customizations thread
What are GAF's Top 5 Android Apps?
Android Thread - 2011 Edition | Stuffed on Gingerbread, Hungry for Honeycomb!
Links to other Misc. Info
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AndroidandMe.com has a very comprehensive article(as of August 2011) detailing updating histories for companies:
http://androidandme.com/2011/08/news/updates-or-lack-thereof-on-the-android-update-alliance/
Where can I get the latest news, and be cool like Android Gaf?
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In no particular order
Android and Me
Android Central
Android Police
Phandroid
Droid Life