What is Android

What is Android?

     Yeah, Android is an operating system from Google for cell phones, tablets and many other devices coming in the near future. But how it all started? What’s the story behind it? Why is Android chosen as an operating system for most of the devices? Let us common people who aren’t big geeks learn a few things about it.

           

History of Android

            Android is an operating system based on Linux kernel. Well, yes you can say that Android is a mod version of Linux. Android was developed by Android Inc. and was later on supported by Google on financial terms. Since it was a good project and Google saw a good future for the operating system, they bought the Android Inc. in 2005. Android was unveiled as open source software (open source: a platform which other developers can use to work on it free of cost while obliging to the terms and conditions of respective companies). And finally Android was officially released on a touchscreen smart phone called HTC Dream on 22^nd October 2008. The source code of Android was released by Google for developers under the Apache Licensing. By this licensing, developers could freely modify and distribute the Android software.

           

What is Android to us?

Android was introduced for touchscreen phones, so it is obvious that it had many features such as swipe, tap, pinch etc. Android has been the most handy operating system for cell phones and it has become most popular cell phone and tablet operating system since July 2013. Android has a basic home screen, or a desktop you can say, which can have application shortcuts and widgets (widgets are live updated gadgets with fancy looks. for e.g. clocks, calendars, weather, news, and much more). Also, Android comes with a default application called ‘Play Store’ which has a lot of applications (apps) and games for Android platform. All you have to do is just open Google Playstore, login through your Google account and browse through the apps, games and just tap install. It will automatically download it on your device and you can use it anytime and anywhere. Playstore has over 1 million applications and over 50 million downloads. Further, Android has a status bar which is always present at the top of your screen and what it does is it will notify you of new text messages emails and other app notifications as well. Status bar is always present at top so you can access it at any time even if you are busy using other application. Another feature that Android provides is auto-sync. This feature allows user to sync their contacts, apps, calendar events and photos to their Google account. So the user can get that data back on other device or the same device after the factory reset. Just login to the Google account and you have all your data and settings on your device back.

           

Android Versions

Android is really growing fast and improving even faster. Since its birth, it has had the following versions:

•  Android Alpha
• Android Beta

(Both of which weren’t released publicly)

(And now all version of Android are released in an alphabetical order)

• Cupcake
• Donut
• Éclair
• Froyo
• Gingerbread
• Honeycomb
• Ice Cream Sandwich
• Jelly Bean
• Kit Kat

Here are versions, api levels, distributions and release dates

Api Levels	Versions	Code names	Year of Release	Distribution	Logo
19	4.4	Kit Kat	31st October 2013	1.4%
18	4.3.x	Jelly Bean	24th July 2013	7.8%
17	4.2.x	Jelly Bean	13th November 2012	15.4%
16	4.1.x	Jelly Bean	9th July 2012	35.9%
15	4.0.3-4.0.4	Ice cream sandwich	16th December 2011	16.9%
13	3.0-3.2	Honeycomb	15th July 2011	0.1%
10	2.3.3-2.3.7	Gingerbread	9th February 2011	21.2%
8	2.2	Froyo	20th May, 2010	1.3%

Conclusion

Android is a great platform for all users who would like to use their phones for social media, gaming, office work or for basic use of calling and texting.

Where it excels:

• Lots of free applications, games
• Live and fast updates of multiple things like whether, news etc.
• Now Google Play Store also has Movies and Novels as well
• Many free applications through which you work or share data or even enjoy with people all around the world

Where it lacks:

• High Battery usage
• High amount of app installation may make your phone slow
• Security – although Google services provides you with remote location of device but not many people know about it and requires compulsory internet connection
• Privacy – you need to use a 3^rd party application to lock your personal data