Google's Android

The New York Times is running an article entitled, "Google and T-Mobile Introduce Phone with PC Features." The article begins, "In the latest of a string of challenges to Apple's popular iPhone, Google and T-Mobile on Tuesday introduced the first mobile phone powered by Google’s Android software, which they hope will bring PC-like features to millions of cellphone users." It states, "Google has invested tens of millions of dollars in developing the Android operating software and is giving it away for free to cellphone makers and carriers. The company hopes that many companies will build phones based on Android."

Read the Article!!

Discussion Starters for Younger Children

• How often do you go on the computer? What do you do when you go on the computer? Have you ever gone to Google? Why? Do you think that Google is helpful? Why/why not?
  
• Have you ever given something to somebody for free? Why did you give it away? Is it OK to give away your things? Why/why not?
  
• Have you ever worked really hard on your own to make something? What did you make? How did you feel after you made it? Do you think some people might feel like roller skating after working really hard to do something and achieving their goal? Why/why not?
  
• Share a time that you worked well with somebody else. What did you do? Did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish? Do you think it's easier to accomplish things with other people or alone? Explain!!

Discussion Starters for Older Students

• Vocabulary terms to discuss: "3-Megapixel Camera"; Market; Dominance; and, Application.
  
• According to this article, why did Google give away it's Android operating system, free of charge? If you wanted Microsoft to succeed in business, how would you feel about this decision? Explain!
  
• Make some predictions about the future of technology, based on the information presented in this newspaper article. How do you think the Internet will be different in ten years? in fifty years?
  
• If you could ask five questions about the Android to learn more about it, what would you ask? To whom do you think you could ask these questions? Go, try and find the answers!!