What is Android?
Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications.
Android is the operating system for mobile phones based on Linux.
Android also provides an open platform for developers to create their own applications for use on various mobile devices.
Who Developed Android ?
Android, Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California, United States in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White.
Android Inc was just a 22 month start-up when it was acquired by Google in July 2005.
OPEN HANDSET ALLIANCE:
The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a business alliance among 79 companies for developing Open Standards for mobile devices.Andorid was introduced in the Open Handset Alliance as their first project. Some of the companies included in this alliance are Google, HTC, Samsung, Dell, Intel,Texas Instruments, LG, T-Mobile.
Features :
Handset Layouts : The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D graphics library based on OpenGL ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts.
Messaging
Multiple Language Support
Connectivity - Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.
Web browser With a Java Support.
Media support - Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: WebM, H.263, H.264, MP3, MIDI, , FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF(earlier versions do not support animated GIF)
Multi-touch
Bluetooth
Video calling
Multitasking
And Many Other.
Android Version History?
Android Version 1.0 (Angel Cake)
Android 1.0 was released on 23rd September 2008.The first mobile to run Android 1.0 was HTC Dream (or) HTC G1.This mobile was officially marketed by Google. Android 1.1 was release on 9th February 2009 for Android Dev Phones (ADP).This update included some new features like ‘Search by Voice’ and ‘Paid Applications’ in Android Market
Android Version 1.1 (Battenberg)
In mid-May 2009, Google released the cell phone using Android and the SDK (Software Development Kit) version 1.5 (Cupcake). There are several updates including the addition of several features in mobile version of this such as the ability to record and watch videos with the camera mode, upload video to Youtube and images to Picasa directly from the phone, A2DP Bluetooth support, the ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset, screen animations, and on-screen keyboard that can be adjusted with system.
Android Version 1.6 (DONUT)
Donut (version 1.6) was released in September by displaying the search process better than before, using a battery indicator and VPN applet control. Another feature is the gallery that allows the user to select which photos will be deleted; cameras, camcorders and galleries are combined; CDMA / EVDO, 802.1x, VPN, Gestures, and Text-to-speech engine; ability to dial contacts; change text to speech technology (not available on all phones;) procurement VWGA resolution.
Android Version 2.0/2.1 (Eclair)
On May 20, 2010, the Android version 2.2 (Froyo) was launched. The changes are generally against the previous version include support for Adobe Flash 10.1, speed performance and make application 2 to 5 times faster, integration V8 JavaScript engine used by Google Chrome to speed up rendering capabilities on the browser, the installation of applications in the SD Card, WiFi capability portable (hotspot), and the ability to auto update in the Android Market application.
Android Version 2.3 (Ginger Bread)
On December 6, 2010, the Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread) was launched. The changes generally obtained from the Android version upgrades include games (gaming), improved copy and paste function, the screen interface (UI) was redesigned, support and WebM VP8 video formats, the new audio effects (reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost), support the ability of Near Field Communication (NFC), and the support of more than one camera.
Android Version 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Released 2nd February 2011.
Connectivity - Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.
Web browser With a Java Support.
Media support - Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: WebM, H.263, H.264, MP3, MIDI, , FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIF(earlier versions do not support animated GIF)
Multi-touch
Bluetooth
Video calling
Multitasking
And Many Other.
Android Version History?
Android 1.0 was released on 23rd September 2008.The first mobile to run Android 1.0 was HTC Dream (or) HTC G1.This mobile was officially marketed by Google. Android 1.1 was release on 9th February 2009 for Android Dev Phones (ADP).This update included some new features like ‘Search by Voice’ and ‘Paid Applications’ in Android Market
Android Version 1.1 (Battenberg)
On March 9, 2009, Google released the Android version 1.1. Android version is equipped with an aesthetic update to the application, alarm clock, voice search (search sound), sending messages to Gmail, and email notification.
Android Version 1.5 (CUPCAKE)
Android Version 1.6 (DONUT)
Donut (version 1.6) was released in September by displaying the search process better than before, using a battery indicator and VPN applet control. Another feature is the gallery that allows the user to select which photos will be deleted; cameras, camcorders and galleries are combined; CDMA / EVDO, 802.1x, VPN, Gestures, and Text-to-speech engine; ability to dial contacts; change text to speech technology (not available on all phones;) procurement VWGA resolution.
Android Version 2.0/2.1 (Eclair)
On December 3, 2009 they launched the Android phone with version 2.0/2.1 (Eclair), the changes was made for the optimization of hardware, upgrade to Google Maps 3.1.2, UI changes with the new browser and HTML5 support, a new contacts list, support for camera flash 3.2 MP, digital zoom, and Bluetooth 2.1.
To move quickly in the competition next-generation devices, Google held a competition to invest with the best mobile applications (killer apps – the best applications). The prize of competition is $ 25,000 for each selected application developers. The competition was held during the two stages where each stage is selected only for the best 50 applications.
With the expansion and increasing number of Android handsets, many third parties who wish to deliver their applications to the Android operating system. Many famous application is modified into the Android operating system like Shazam, Backgrounds, and WeatherBug. Android operating system in the Internet site was also considered important to create a native Android applications, for example by MySpace and Facebook.
Android Version 2.2 Froyo
Android Version 2.3 (Ginger Bread)
On December 6, 2010, the Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread) was launched. The changes generally obtained from the Android version upgrades include games (gaming), improved copy and paste function, the screen interface (UI) was redesigned, support and WebM VP8 video formats, the new audio effects (reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost), support the ability of Near Field Communication (NFC), and the support of more than one camera.
Android Version 3.0 (Honeycomb)
Released 2nd February 2011.
