Android

ANDROID

Introduction…Android is an open source platform

developed under the open handset alliance to enable faster development of mobile applications and provisions of services to the users.

Google is the leading company to develop and promote android, however there are other companies as well who are involved in the development of android.

What is Android???

Android is a software stack.Android = operating system + middleware + key applications

Uses unix programmi

ng language/

kernel based on

linux.

Supports large number

of applications, which run on Dalvik Run

time engine.

Uses ARM

architecture.

Fig 1: Android Basics

History Of Android

2003 2005 5 Nov’07 12 Nov’07

Palo Alto, Andy, Rich miner, Nick

and Chris founded Android.

Android Inc was acquired by

Google

Open Handset Alliance was

formed

Beta SDK was released

Beginning of Android…

Versions of androidFrom then on there have been several changes…

1.5 Cupcake Based on linux kernel 2.6.2730 April 2009

1.6 DonutSDK

2.0 EclairSDK

2.2 Froyo

2.3 Gingerbread

3.0 Honeycomb

4.0 IceCream Sandwich

Based on linux kernel 2.6.29

Based on linux kernel 2.6.29

Based on linux kernel 2.6.32

Released on 6 December 2010

Released on 10 May 2011

Released on 18 October 2011

15 September 2009

October 2009

20 May 2010

Fig 2: Versions of Android

The latest version is 4.0 Icecream sandwich.•It combines the best of the android 2x phone interface with android 3x phone interface.•Easy multitasking, customizable home screens, customizable widgets.

Android Architecture

Fig 3: Android Architecture

ApplicationAll applications are written using the java

programming language.Core applications include –

Email clientSMS programcalendarMapsBrowserContacts etc.

Application FrameworkUnderlying all applications is a set of services

and systems, including:ViewsContent providersResource managerNotification managerActivity manager

LibrariesIncludes a set of C/C++ libraries used by

various components of the android system.Some of the core libraries are System C

library, Media library, surface manager, libWebcore, SGL, 3D libraries, Freetype, SQLite.

Android RuntimeEvery android application runs in its own

process, with its own instance of the Dalvik Runtime machine.

Dalvik has been written so that a device can run multiple VMs efficiently.

Linux kernelAndroid relies on Linux version 2.6 for core

system services such as security, memory management, process management, network stack, and driver model.

Features of android …Android has many amazing and unique features that are of significance to developers and users

Application Framework that enables reuse and replacement of components

Dalvik virtual machine optimised for mobile devices

Open source WebKit engine based integrated web browser

Optimized Graphics that is powered by customized 2D graphics library and 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification

SQLite for structured data storage

GSM Telephony

Media Support for common video, audio, and still image formats.

Provision of Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi

Camera, GPS, Compass, and Accelerometer (dependent on hardware support)

What makes Android different??Android is open-source.

Complete smartphone software stack, free of charge.

Advantages of Android.The google’s android platform provides the

ability to be customized by anyone

Provides a wide range of mobile applications.

Innovative maps of android will provide users with any information they maybe in need of.

Disadvantages of androidSince Google Android is an open source

platform driving all Android phones, it could significantly increase the risk of hacking these devices. If this happens, then locking mobiles as a security measure will be a mockery. 

Conclusion…

Android vs IosCustomization and Widgets: Android has the

ability to create shortcuts to contacts right on the home screen.

Multitasking: Android performs multitasking. It lets you see more apps on one screen.

Steve Jobs threat!!!Apple Inc founder Steve Jobs threatened to

destroy Android saying it was a stolen product and that he would go thermonuclear war on this.

Tension between the two companies escalated as Google used the Android operating system to follow Apple into the growing market for smartphones.

What makes android different??Android operating system is open source.

Therefore, it is legal and possible for you to modify the entire Operating System to work the way you want it to.

However, to call it different from others because of “openness” can be debatable.

Thank you!References:

www.android.comwww.engineersgarage.com

www.androiddevelopers.com