Google is fighting Oracle in court over the Java code used in its Android operating system. The trial is digging up old emails, old balance sheets and even old images of Android circa May 2007. Posted up by The Verge, these early screenshots show a version of Android that’s more influenced by Windows Mobile, than the iPhone OS which made its first appearance earlier that year at Macworld 2007.
The screenshots show Android as it would likely appear on a portrait QWERTY device, with more scrollable than touchable UI elements. It’s reminiscent of the 2006 Motorola Q, which used a D-pad and a scroll ball for navigation through its Windows Mobile OS. The pictured Android OS included a variety of apps for messaging, browsing, email and more. There’s even a Note-taking app, which apparently was dropped and, much to the chagrin of some Android users, is still not included in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Each of these screenshots is labeled “subject to change”, which is an understatement when you compare this version of Android to the touch-friendly version that would launch on the T-Mobile G1 in late 2008. A sample screenshot from Android 2007 is provided above and you can check out a gallery of screenshots at The Verge’s website. It’s a must-see for any Android or mobile phone history buff.