What is Android

In this article we will tell you about what is Android. Here’s the complete detail.

Android is basically an Operating System based upon Linux. Android OS is primarily designed for touchscreen based mobile devices, like Tablet PCs and Smartphones.

An Introduction to the World’s Most Popular Mobile Platform: “Android”

Some of you folks might be wondering what “Android” really is? What is so fancy about coining Mobile Operating systems names of different mouth-watering desserts and trying to make nerdy stuff look snazzy cool?

Well, it will be no exaggeration to say that Android is literally everywhere and you just can’t get enough of it! Android’s success lies in the mantra of timely updates and mass evolution. Even before you are done savouring a particular flavour of OS, they have the next one lined up on your platter.

Technically, Android is an OTA open-source application stack developed from mobile phones, portables and handhelds. It is built on Linux, brought into existence by Android, inc. and later endorsed and supported financially by Google. Android is governed by the ideology of free to use, free to build application eco-system and that’s what scored for Android when launched in 2007.

Although an immensely popular handheld name today, it had to face tremors and struggle during its inception. Launched during an era when BlackBerry OS and Symbian was doing rounds and nobody thought there could be a world beyond bulky QWERTY and “stuck in the middle” trackballs. Thus convincing mobile users did cost Google more than just sweat!

Android Ecology

  • Google: Google officially develops different versions of Android.
  • Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): OEMs are the manufacturer of customized app components and the hardware.
  • App Developer Companies: These companies are the major contributors of the Android world. They just don’t employ Android OS developers, in fact the product developments are also outsourced by them to the service provider companies.
  • Freelancers: These are individual Android developers, who create apps and then publish those apps with their own name on Google Play Store. Some of these freelance developers develop apps and then sell them to the companies.

How much do Android updates cost ?

Well, the Android updates are totally free of cost. New Android updates arrive with new changes and many modifications in the OS. Google publishes the Android codes covered by Apache license mode. The open-source mode and forbearing licensing enables the application to be widely modified and rolled out by phone manufacturers, free-lance developers and enthusiasts.

This very flexible and broad minded approach of Google makes Android; the most contributed Operating System till date. Java supports the backbone and application engine.  As of Dec, 2012 Google Play (Android Marketplace) hosts a mammoth 700,500 apps covering various niche. Recent developments have made Android available to Televisions, gaming terminals and consoles and many portable appliances.

How to receive an Android update ?

The Android updates are generally received through “Over The Air” (OTA) only, that is, they are directly sent to your Android device and you just need to use Internet to receive them.

List of all Android Platform Versions

Android 4.2.x

  • Codename: Jelly Bean
  • API Level: 17
  • Release Date: 13th November, 2012

Android 4.1.x

  • Codename: Jelly Bean
  • API Level: 16
  • Release Date: 9th July, 2012

Android 4.0.x

  • Codename: Ice Cream Sandwich
  • API Level: 15
  • Release Date: 16th December, 2011

Android 3.2

  • Codename: Honeycomb
  • API Level: 13
  • Release Date: 15th July, 2011

Android 3.1

  • Codename: Honeycomb
  • API Level: 12
  • Release Date: 10th May, 2011

Android 2.3.3 – 2.3.7

  • Codename: Gingerbread
  • API Level: 10
  • Release Date: 9th February, 2011

Android 2.3 – 2.3.2

  • Codename: Gingerbread
  • API Level: 9
  • Release Date: 6th December, 2010

Android 2.2

  • Codename: Froyo
  • API Level: 8
  • Release Date: 20th May, 2010

Android 2.0 – 2.1

  • Codename: Eclair
  • API Level: 7
  • Release Date: 26th October, 2009

Android 1.6

  • Codename: Donut
  • API Level: 4
  • Release Date: 15th September, 2009

Android 1.5

  • Codename: Cupcake
  • API Level: 3
  • Release Date: 30th April, 2009

What’s next ?

Well, it is very obvious for an OS which has released eight base editions within the span of 4years. That it will be spread and accepted across other channels and modules especially when everybody wants to achieve a cost-effective and scalable solution. Thus Android has spread its horizon to various futuristic prototypes and simulators like smart TVs, cameras, mp3 players, wrist watches, headsets etc.

To conclude, Android has some serious potentials and it will keep evolving with the earth’s rotationWe hope now you know “What is Android ?

Add Comment