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I remember the first mobile communicating device I had was a Motorola pager (the black bulky one before memo jazz). That was back when I was in Secondary School, which, if you think, is quite pathetic since these days even primary school kids carry mobile phones.

^{Photo credit: Life123}

But yes, back then, having a pager was considered pretty "cool".

Those were the days when you received a page and you searched high and low for a pay phone to call back - pay phones that accepted only ten cent coins, to various coins, to phone cards!

Still remember the numeric codes used to represent words?

1314 stands for "yi shen yi she" aka forever

Initially, the codes were just numbers that appeared on a pager, then there were "people" that took down our messages and sent text to the receiving parties. After that we could type actual words and send them out ourselves. And, there was voicemail...

Technology moves at a fast pace. Following the black bulky Motorola pagers were the tiny Motorola memo jazz pagers - I had a yellow then transparent blue one. Before I knew it, pagers were yesterday's news, and "zone phones" surfaced – a phone that allowed me to make phone calls at designated areas, which were quite limited in number.

I'm not sure how long the "zone phones" lasted (a failed attempt if I'm not mistaken). I recall I had it for roughly a month before mobile phones (that allowed me to make calls "almost" everywhere) were introduced.

At that time, mobile coverage was still pretty bad, and mobile phones not only cost a bomb, they weighed a tonne!

This sounds like ancient history to you doesn't it? I'm really not that old, but yes, I went through that change of mobile technology phase. Most from my generation would probably remember those "low-tech" times.

Anyway, once mobile phones hit the market, the pace of advancement quickened further. Mobile phones reduced in size, prices dropped, mobile coverage improved, and more ISPs surfaced. In no time, the mobile phone industry became one of the largest businesses you can imagine. And to date, it still pretty much is.

(Returning to present day) In the recent years, you'd notice that almost anyone, or rather, everyone owns a mobile phone. I've seen a 6-7 year old kid hanging a (no, not a toy, a real) mobile phone around her neck and from time to time she would glance at it as though expecting a phone call.

No longer are we looking to just make phone calls with our phones. Now, we talk on it, send SMSes, listen to music, take pictures and surf the Internet. It's not so much of having the privilege of owning a mobile phone but owning the most advanced ones - various types of platform.

Times have changed, and perhaps "too fast, too furious". I find myself, presently, a "slave of technology" (quoted by Sarah, just last night).

Mobile platform: Android

According to "reports" mobile phones outsell PCs three to one. If you notice, quite a number of people actually use their mobile phone as their primary means of accessing the web (I am no exception). However, most mobile operating systems were developed before the web existed.

Android is different, it is the first Internet-generation, fully open and free mobile platform that any developer can use, and any handset manufacturer can install.

The new edge of mobile technology has just begun…

This platform offers you the familiarity and breadth of your desktop Internet experience. And because your Android-powered device is open, you can customise it and discover, download and rate many handy, fun and innovative applications from the open Android market (or any other channel).

If you press the Market icon on an Android-powered phone, you will discover a wide range of popular and unique applications from developers around the world - from games to location-based services, social networking, productivity tools and on-the-go shopping.

Basically, anyone with a registered account can upload applications for others to download. Good applications with more positive comments and higher ratings rise to the top. Community members can comment on the applications and share additional information and feedback with the developers - reminds me of Drupal, an open source Content Management System (CMS).

Carriers and handset makers around the world are embracing this platform. The Open Handset Alliance, a group of more than 40 technology and mobile industry leaders, is behind the platform and has committed to fostering innovation on mobile phones and offering a better consumer experience.

"Android is an open-source project and the product of many contributors from the industry."

Currently in Singapore, only the HTC Dream has this mobile platform available to consumers. I believe, in time to come, more brands will pick it up and offer consumers a better range of Android-powered mobile phones.

PS: Will find suitable images and upload them on a later date.