Android is a Linux based Operating System for mobile devices such as Smartphones and tablet computers. It is developed by the Open Handset Alliance, led by Google and other Companies.
Google purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc. in 2005. Google releases the Android code as open source under Apache License. Android has a large community of developers writing applications that extend the functionality of the devices. Apps can be downloaded from third party sites or through online stores such as Android market, app store run by Google. In 2011, there are more than 5,00,000 apps available for Android.
Android has a 59% smartphone market share worldwide. At half of 2012, there were 400 million devices activated and 1 million activations per day.
DESIGN OF ANDROID
Android consists of a Kernel based on the Linux Kernel, with middleware, libraries and APIs written in C and application software running on an application framework which includes Java-compatible libraries based on Apache Harmony. Android uses the Dalvik Virtual machine with to run Dalvik dex-code (Dalvik Executable), which is usually translated from Java Bytecode.
The main hardware platform for Android is the ARM Architecture. There is support for x86 from the Android x86 project, and Google TV uses a special x86 version of Android.
Features
Current features and specifications:
Handset layouts
- The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D Graphics library, 3D Grapjics library based on OPEN GL2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts.
- Connectivity
- Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO,UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC andWiMAX.
- Messaging
- SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and now Android Cloud to device Messaging (C2DM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging service.
- Multiple language support
- Android supports multiple languages.
- Web browser
- The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source Web Kitlayout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8 Javascript Engine.
- Media support
- Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: WebM, H.263, H.264
- (in 3GP or MP4 container), , AAC (in MP4 or 3GP container), MP3, FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP.
- Additional hardware support
- Android can use video/still cameras, touchscreens, GPS, accelometers, barometers, dedicated gaming controls, proximity and pressure sensor, thermometers, accelerated 2D and accelerated 3D graphics.
- Multi-touch
- Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in handsets such as the HTC Hero. The feature was originally disabled at the kernel level (possibly to avoid infringing Apple's patents on touch-screen technology at the time).[55] Google has since released an update for the Nexus one.
- Bluetooth
- Supports A2DP, AVRCP, sending files (OPP), accessing the phone book (PBAP), voice dialing and sending contacts between phones. Keyboard, mouse, and joystick (HID) support is available in Android 3.1+, and in earlier versions through manufacturer customizations and third-party applications.
- Video calling
- Android does not support native video calling, but some handsets have a customized version of the operating system that supports it like the Samsung Galaxy S or over IP. Video calling through Google Talk is available in Android 2.3.4 and later. This allows for enhanced VoIP dialing to other SIP accounts and even phone numbers. Skype 2.1 offers video calling in Android 2.3, including front camera support.
- Voice based features
- Google search through voice has been available since initial release. Voice actions for calling, texting, navigation, etc. are supported on Android 2.2 onwards.
- Screen capture
- Android supports capturing a screenshot by pressing the power and volume-down buttons at the same time. Prior to Android 4.0, the only methods of capturing a screenshot were through manufacturer and third-party customizations or otherwise by using a PC connection (DDMS developer's tool).
- External storage
- Most Android devices include microSD slot and can read microSD cards formatted with FAT32, Ext3 or Ext4 file system. To allow use of high-capacity storage media such as USB flash drives and USB HDDs.
Usage share of the different versions as of June 1, 2012. Most Android devices to date run the older OS version 2.3.x Gingerbread that was released on December 6, 2010, even though the newest OS version, 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich has been released since October 2011.
| Version | Release date | API level | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.x Jelly Bean | June 28, 2012 | 16 | Not Yet Known |
| 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich | October 19, 2011 | 14-15 | 7.1% |
| 3.x.x Honeycomb | February 22, 2011 | 11-13 | 2.7% |
| 2.3.x Gingerbread | December 6, 2010 | 9-10 | 65% |
| 2.2 Froyo | May 20, 2010 | 8 | 19.1% |
| 2.0, 2.1 Eclair | October 26, 2009 | 7 | 5.2% |
| 1.6 Donut | September 15, 2009 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 1.5 Cupcake | April 30, 2009 | 3 | 0.3% |
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