What is Android: Here is definition straight from Wikipedia - "Android is a software platform and operating system for mobile devices, based on the Linux operating system, developed by Google and later the Open Handset Alliance. It allows developers to write managed code in a Java-like language that utilizes Google-developed Java libraries,[2] but does not support programs developed in native code.

The unveiling of the Android platform on 5 November 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 34 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. Google has pledged to make most of the Android platform available under the Apache free-software and open-source license.

First commercially launched phone based on Android: T Mobile is the first company to commercially launch a phone based on Android on September 23. In an announcement on their website T Mobile have announced "The T-Mobile G1 with Google is the first commercially available phone to run on the 'Android' operating system, which empowers developers with tools to create and offer consumers applications that add value to their lives. This is one of many initiatives T-Mobile is working on to lead the industry in bringing real innovation to wireless customers." Expected to go on sale in October 22nd it will be priced at 199$ in USA - which is similar to iPhone.

How will I benefit from Android?: Some of the key benefits which have been highlighted are:

• It will be very easy to use - Single Sign in to your Google Account, Easy to set (may not be required to touch settings), and login never expires are few usability features.
• Push based: The email, calendar and contacts are fully synchronized as they are push based - New events are pushed in real-time to your phone and any changes you make on-the-go are immediately available on the web.
• Preloaded with Google applications like - Search, Maps, Gmail with Contacts, Calendar, Google Talk, and YouTube.
• Android will also allow users to run multiple applications at once and more easily share contacts and data among them.
• It is unconfirmed but some reports say that users may be able to cut and paste text in e-mails.
  
• Add on applications will be most likely free or at low cost (open source advantage). Google is planning to create an Android Market where - application, content providers can display their stuff and sell. The initial handsets will be enabled with beta version of this Android market.
  
• It is tipped to have covered all featured of iPhone
• Developers and Mobile providers are free to join and deliver applications - which means lower cost and more applications for mobile users

This (Android) is going to bring down costs and sweep the market. Soon the Android Market will have applications and content running in to hundreds and early adopters will start rating them - and the best will be highlighted soon. As a Google Apps user this is going to be a good news for you whether you already use Google Apps on a mobile or not. If you are already using - your existing providers will be forced to offer you better service at lower cost due to competition. If you are not a mobile user yet - well go ahead and try with the new offering. Or may be you can wait till early next year when there will be many more launches on Android platform.

How to Setup Google Apps on BlackBerry smartphones

Gmail – The fastest way to use Gmail on your BlackBerry is with the installable Gmail application. To download and install Gmail for free, visit m.google.com/a from your BlackBerry web browser. Then, launch the application with the blue "M" icon () from your BlackBerry home screen or from the applications folder. If you also have a personal @gmail.com account, there's a separate free application (with a red "M" icon) so you can be signed in to both accounts at the same time.

Google Talk – There's a handy Google Talk application that lets you see who's online and instant message with contacts from your BlackBerry. To download and install Google Talk for free, visit www.blackberry.com/GoogleTalk from your BlackBerry web browser. Then, launch the application with the Google Talk icon () from your BlackBerry home screen or from the applications folder.

Google Calendar – You can sync information in Google Calendar with your BlackBerry calendar, so whether you add new appointments from your phone or from your computer, you always have access to your up-to-date schedule. To download and install Google Sync for free, visit m.google.com/sync from your BlackBerry web browser.

Google Docs – To access your documents and spreadsheets when you're not at a computer, you can sign in to Google Docs from your BlackBerry web browser. Just visit docs.google.com/a/your-domain.com, but remember to replace "your-domain.com" in this address with your actual domain name.

Google Mobile Updater

Now you can keep your BlackBerry up to date with Google's ever increasing mobile product suite. It is very easy and simple! Just go to mobile.google.com in your BlackBerry browser, click "Download all" to get Google Mobile Updater and then select the products you want on the menu of your BlackBerry...

You can also get the applications stack (the bunch of applications - as Google wants to call it) through your PC by surfing to the mobile site:

http://www.google.com/mobile/updater/stp-js.html

now enter your phone number. An SMS text with download instructions will then be sent to your device.

Once you've downloaded the Mobile Updater, you will have the option to install all or some of Google's available mobile services. These include

Faster Web Search: In under a second, you can start entering your query without waiting to load the Google home page. This saves you valuable time when you are trying to find the address of a nearby restaurant or the latest price of your favorite stock. Some of the key BlackBerry applications from Google are:

Gmail
Google Sync, which lets you sync your Google Calendar with your BlackBerry
Google Reader, a mobile RSS reader
Google Docs, a Web-based documents application
Google Maps mapping application;
Google News

Icons for each service that you select will download to your BlackBerry home screen for easy access. Click the Update icon to check for new versions of your software at any time.