Like our computers, mobile phones, laptops need a platform to run called as an operating system. Android is an free to use open source mobile phone operating system which is launched by Google, but for now it is managed by the Open Handset Alliance, which is a group of over 50 technology computing and mobile companies including Intel, HTC, Samsung, LG, Motorola and yes its boss Google. Like the Apples iPhone Operating System, Android also allows third party developers to create any Applications and programs that can be downloaded on the system to add Interactivity through out.

What is its Influence on Me?
As mobile phones are now getting around with greater Storage Capacity, Processors, Bigger RAM, Full fledged Touch Screens, QWERTY styled full keyboards and Browser like Fennec, Opera Min, Opera Full and high profile games with superb video qualities, they are going on the way to become PC. Sooner mobile phones will replace small categories of Notebooks (Laptops) as more and more people will opt out to surf web, Play Games, Use Internet and will work on the phones rather then on laptops. Therefore there was a need to get a well designed, fast, extensible Operating system which can tackle out each and every need of the Mobile phone users.
There are too many Mobile OS already in Market?
This is what you may concern about but the answer is hidden in the next question. Was there any need to have a new web interface based Internet Email system before the launch of Gmail? Was there any need for a good touch based mobile phone before the launch of iPhone? That is same with the mobile phone Operating systems. The most of the phone today uses the common and old Symbian Operating system of Nokia which is about 10 years old Interface. Other operating systems like iPhone, BlackBerry, Java Mobile, Windows Mobile 7.0 etc. are royalty based operating system which means you have to pay for the usage of them if you are mobile handset manufacturing company and you are providing these operating system you have to share some amount of money to them. Where as on the other hand Android is totally free, any one can build a phone with using the android, this is what called open source.

What is there for Google In this?
Yes, certainly Google didn’t manufacture this for just Altruism. But the common reason out there must be that Google wants to ensure that there is an open and transparent System platform for mobile phones too. It does not want to make war with Apple (Another Microsoft in Mobile) this time out but to ensure the maximum support to mobile handset makers.
How can I get Android in my Phone?
However there is some hardware requirements in the mobile handsets to run Android therefore you can not get it down by just formatting the phones as you do in Computers. Preferably you have to choose new phone from the makers as now many of the handset manufacturers are now using android as primary operating system to reduce built up cost. Symbian and Windows Mobile are now being replaced by Android as stated by the research and surveys