What is Android?

History about Android

• Andy Rubin has been credited as the father of the Android platform.
• His company, Android Inc, was acquired by Google in 2005.
• Working together, OHA members, including Google, began developing a nonproprietary open standard platform based upon technology developed at Android Inc.
• Google’s involvement in the Android project is very extensive.
• Google hosts the Android open source project and provides
• online Android documentation,
• tools,
• forums, and
• The Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers.
• All major Android news originates at Google.

Manufacturers: Designing the Android Handsets

The first shipping Android handset the T-Mobile G1—was developed by handset manufacturer  HTC with service provided by T-Mobile. It was released in October 2008.

Each new Android device was more powerful and exciting than the last.

• Google announced more than 160,000 Android devices were being activated each day by June 2010.
• The advantages of widespread manufacturer and carrier  support.
• Mobile operators from North, South, and Central America; Europe, Asia, India, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East have joined the OHA, ensuring a worldwide market for the Android movement.

What is Android?

“Android™ delivers a complete set of software for  mobile devices: An operating system,      Middleware and Key mobile applications. ” 

Android Platform Differences:

 Complete:

• The designers took a comprehensive approach when they developed the Android platform.
• They began with a secure operating system and built a robust software framework on top that allows for rich application development opportunities.

Open:

• Source of a software should be open to anyone and any way of using.
• The Android platform is provided through open source licensing.

Free:

• Android applications are free to develop.
• There are no licensing or royalty fees to develop on the platform.
• No requirement of membership fees.
• No requirement of testing fees.
• No requirement of signing or certification fees.
• Android applications can be distributed and commercialized in a variety of ways.

Each Android SDK has had a project name.

In Android’s case, the SDKs are named alphabetically after sweets.

The latest version of Android is codenamed  Jelly Bean.

 

• 2.3  ->  Gingerbread
• 3.0/3.1  ->  Honeycomb
• 3.2  ->  Honeycomb
• 4.0  ->  Ice Cream Sandwich
• 4.1 -> Jelly Bean

 

 

Posted in: Android Theory