overview and version history of android

1.1OVERVIEW

Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. It is developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google.

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 just-in-time compilation to run Dalvik dex-code (Dalvik Executable), which is usually translated from Java byte code.

Android has a large community of developers writing applications ("apps") that extend the functionality of the devices. Developers write primarily in a customized version of Java.

            There are currently approximately 300,000 apps available for Android. Apps can be downloaded from third-party sites or through online stores such as Android Market, the app store run by Google.

Android was listed as the best-selling smartphone platform worldwide in 2010.

1.2 HISTORY

1.2.1 FOUNDATION

Android, Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California, United States in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner Nick Sears, and Chris White to develop, in Rubin's words "...smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences". Android Inc. operated secretly, revealing only that it was working on software for mobile phones.

That same year, Rubin ran out of money. Steve Perlman brought him $10,000 in cash in an envelope and refused a stake in the company.

1.2.2 ACQUISITION BY GOOGLE

Google acquired Android Inc. in August 2005, making Android Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Google Inc. Key employees of Android Inc., including Andy Rubin, Rich Miner and Chris White, stayed at the company after the acquisition. Not much was known about Android Inc. at the time of the acquisition, but many assumed that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market with this move.

1.2.3 VERSION HISTORY

Android has seen a number of updates since its original release, each fixing bugs and adding new features. Each version is named, in alphabetical order, after a dessert.

            Starting from 1.5 version Android reached so far.. Recent releases

• 2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste features, improved gaming performance, added SIP support (VoIP calls), and added support for Near Field Communication.

• 3.0 Honeycomb was a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and introduces many new user interface features, and supports multi-core processors and hardware acceleration for graphics. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.

·         3.1 Honeycomb, released in May 2011, and added support for extra input devices, USB host mode for transferring information directly from cameras and other devices, and the Google Movies and Books apps.

·         3.2 Honeycomb, released in July 2011, added optimization for a broader range of screen sizes, new "zoom-to-fill" screen compatibility mode, loading media files directly from SD card, and an extended screen support API. Huawei Media Pad is the first 7 inch tablet to use this version

• 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, announced on October 19, 2011, brought Honeycomb features to smartphones and added new features including facial recognition unlock, network data usage monitoring and control, unified social networking contacts, photography enhancements, offline email searching, and information sharing using NFC. Android 4.0.1 Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest Android version that is available to phones. The source code of Android 4.0.1 was released on November 14, 2011.

Most smartphones that so far in industry make use of version 2.2 Froyo which can be updated to 2.3(hardware dependent). Other higher versions are found in tablets because of their demand in screen resolution and hardware requirement.