TypicallyAndroid is an linux based operating-system running a Dalvik Virtual Machine (Similar to java, and indeed based partially on) produced by Google, typically seen in portable devices such as cellphones, e-book readers, tablets, etc.
Android based devices are popularly used in hobbyist embedded projects, as they are fully functional computers often with multiple easy to interface wireless connections, easy to program for, cheap, and widely popular.
It competes with with Apple's line of iOS Devices ipad iphone and ipod, which are also used in the same type of hobbyist embedded projects as Android devices are.
The term Android is a synonym for Robot with a Human(oid) appearance. This can sometimes be generically referred to as a Droid (though this is a Lucas Arts (Of Star Wars fame) registered trademark). Droid is also a line of Android cell phones produced by Motorola.
