Android OS

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Main Topics

What is Android?WorkingFeaturesVersions of AndroidApplicationsMarketingWhy Android?Future of Android

Android – what is it?• software stack for mobile devices

– incl. OS, middleware and key applications• Open source – source code is open and contributions are welcome• application framework enabling reuse/replacement of apps• Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile• integrated browser based on webkit• Optimized graphics – 2D graphics library, 3D based on OPEN GL

ES• SQLite for data storage• Media support (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, JPG, PNG,…)• Support for radio interfaces, Bluetooth, WiFi, Camera, GPS,

accelerometer• Software Development Kit (SDK)• Preinstalled applications from Google (GMS)

– Gmail, Maps, Search, Voice Search, Youtube

Android Architecture

Software Stack

• Linux kernel

• Libraries

• Android run time– core libraries– Dalvik virtual machine

• application layer

• application protocol

WORKING

• All applications written in Java and converted to the dalvik executable .dex

• Every android app runs its own process, with its own instance of the dalvik virtual machine

• Not a traditional JVM, but a custom VM designed to run multiple instances efficiently on a single device

• VM uses linux kernel to handle low-level functionality incl. security, threading, process and memory management

Versions of Android

Features of Android

Features-Search

• Core feature in android• User should be able to search any data on

device or internet• Usually one of the android buttons• Search suggestions based on recent queries• Provide custom search suggestions that match

actual results in application data• system side Quick Search Box• Voice Search available and enhanced in recent

releases

Rooting “Rooting” Android device means obtaining

“superuser” rights and permissions to your Android’s software.

With these elevated user privileges, you gain the ability to load custom software (ROM’s), install custom themes, increase performance, increase battery life, and the ability to install software that would otherwise cost extra money (ex: WiFi tethering).

Rooting is essentially “hacking” your Android device. In the iPhone world, this would be the equivalent to “Jailbreaking” your phone.

Advantages of Rooting Custom Software (ROM’s):  A “ROM” is the software

that runs your device. It is stored in the “Read Only Memory” of your device. There are many great custom ROM’s available that can make your Android device look and perform drastically different.

Custom Themes: Themes are basically the graphics that appear on your Android device. Rooting your device allows you the ability to fully customize just about every graphic on your device.

Kernel, speed, and battery: There are many custom ROM’s and apps available for rooted devices that will allow you to drastically improve the performance (speed) and also extend battery life on your device. A lot of developers tweak the kernels (layer of code that handles communication between the hardware and software) for added performance, battery life, and more.

Applications

• All apps (native and 3rd party) are written using the same APIs and run on the same run time executable

• All apps have APIs for hardware access, location-based services, support for background services, map-based activities, 2D and 3D graphics.

• App Widgets are miniature app views that can be embedded in other apps like Home Screen

• Google Maps and other GMS applications• Background services and applications

– allows multi tasking of applications

• Shared Data and interprocess communication• All applications are equal

– does not discriminate between native and non-native applications

– allows any applications to be enhanced/reused

• p2p interdevice application messaging

Application Framework• Rich, extensible set of Views

– apps can inclused lists, grids, text boxes, buttons, web browser

• Content Providers– allows data access from other applications or share

own data• Resource Manager

– access to localized strings, graphics, layout files• Notification Manager

– enables custom alerts to be displayed in status bar• Activity Manager

– Manages lifecycle of applications and provides navigation backstack

Application Fundamentals• Activities

– application presentation layer• Services

– invisible components, update data sources, visible activities, trigger notifications– perform regular processing even when app is not active or invisible

• Content Providers– shareable data store

• Intents– message passing framework– broadcase messages system wide, for an action to be performed

• Broadcast receivers– consume intent broadcasts– lets app listen for intents matching a specific criteria like location

• Notifications– Toast notification– Status Bar Notification– Dialog notification

App Priority and Processes

Android apps do not have control over their own life cycles

Aggressively manages resources to ensure device responsiveness and kills process/apps when needed

• Active Process – critical priority• Visible Process – high priority• Started Service Process• Background Process – low priority• Empty process

Client apps

• Developed using the Android SDK and installed on user devices

• Compiled Java code, with data and resource – bundled by Android Asset Packaging tool (AAPT) into Android package or .apk

• All applications have Android Manifest file in its root directory– provides essential information about app

• Could be installed directly on phone, but necessary to be distributed thru Market

Web Apps

• An alternative to standalone apps

• Developed using web standards and accessed through browser – nothing to install on devices

• Mixing client and web apps is also possible – Client apps can embed web pages using “Webview” in Android app

SDK• Android APIs, Full Documentation and Sample code• Development tools

– Dalvik Debug Monitor Service (DDMS)– Android Debug Bridge (ADB)– Android Emulator

• Online support and blog• Native Development Kit also available

– allows developers to implement parts of apps in native-code languages like C/C++

– Plug in available to use Eclipse integrated development environment

• Developer forums and developer phones from Google, MOTO Dev studio from Motorola

Locations & Maps

• Compelling and most popular apps for mobile devices

• Google Maps provides free navigation• applications allowed access to location

services supported by device• Google provides Maps external library

– allows built-in downloading, rendering and caching of Maps tiles, and other display options and controls

Android Market• Google Market - Part of GMS apps• 3rd party apps submitted to Google, approved and distributed

through Market• Both Free and Paid apps• Apps now limited to 50 MB; updates possible through Market• Monetization through ads available• Available in many countries, not all countries have support for paid

apps• Other Market place applications available – Amazon has announced

its own Android Market place• App searches filtered based on Manifest file (eg. if a device does

not have trackball, apps using trackball will be filtered out)• Every app publishes a list of components the app will access and

permissions need to be granted before installation• Apps installed on device and SD card (SD Card from Froyo)

• API Levels used by apps to identify software version on the device

• Android apps are generally forward compatible with newer version, but not necessarily backwards compatible

Marketing

• Fastest growing mobile OS• Over 300,000 Android activations a day• Android overtook iOS as the dominant OS

in US during 2010• First phone launched HTC G1 in 2008• Currently an OS of choice for Motorola,

HTC, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, among others

• Software updates every few months

Apple Vs Android• tejasGaykar• It is the top grossing topic in the global

technical history.• Apple iOS and Android are the two fast

developing mobile operating system which share similarities and differences on the basis of their hardware and software.

• Starting from square 1,Android managed to attract world class developers and many future apple fans thus stealing a lion’s share of market from the ruling emperor of smart phones(Apple iphone)

•  Source Code:• Both have different sources as Apple is a closed source and

has disclaimer to use this operating system on any other mobile phone companies while Android is open source purchased by Google and any mobile company can use this operating system. Apple does not give access to its users to the software and takes this responsibility of software development on its shoulder easing customers experience with the phone.

•  Google is continuously improving its applications and developing new applications to facilitate the user with the desired features. Google has also offered from the user side to add and develop application and allow them to interact with the software to edit or add new applications. Basically Linux is making Android software and shows better prospects in the future to have rivalry with Apple as presently ratio is 300,000 : 200,000 :: Apple : Android.

• Operating system• Apple has an individual operating system reserved only for

Apple products like iPhone, iPad, iPod and tablets. It has its very own unique operating system with no further categories. It is the sole proprietor for the Apple devices and still having the prominent position in industry among various mobile operating systems.

•Android is derived from Linux and is further divided into different versions. You cannot say that one Android is similar to other there are variations like Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Ginger bread and Honey comb and future version is expected as ice-cream. All are slightly different from one another or you can differentiate them as old or new versions of Android.

Networking• Android is leading in this feature as it facilitates

all community platforms to interact with others anywhere on any topic. Among these are facebook, twitter, delicious, etc. You become the part of vast network and become the effective member of this global village whereas Apple has a limited social network and does not promote globalism yet the part of this globe.

•  Connectivity (Apple Vs Android)

• Android has the benefit of having Google’s platform so all the features like Google’s search engines, GTalk, Gmail, youtube, and even G maps are supported so it becomes a dynamic experience to have Android operating system. Apple has its own mailing patron and lacks other facilities like gmail etc.

• Security• Android being a social network and an open source is

more prunes to the viruses and security threats. There are security holes you can say leave readily for the sake of improving the software with the help of passive language programmers and hobbyists who have passion to develop software   

•Apple has a tight security system as not only its operating system is locked by Apple not to access but also security patches and bugs are intended to secure Apple mobile to its greater extent. Apple’s Apps are only downloaded on Apple’s devices after authentication procedure.

• Utility• Apple is loaded with more than half million

applications offers many utility features like gaming, office pack, filing system, skype, air printing, air play and my iPhone all are dynamic features to enhance the mobile using experience. Android also supports many utility feature however its applications are less in numbers than Apple iOS.

Android kills Iphone-very soon

Why Android? 1. Google Products: Almost no one can doubt of

Google products. All internet users know Google and reputation. Likewise with the device operating system Android.

2. User Interface: Android smartphone user interface is highly interactive, attractive and never get bored to be explored. In addition to smartphones, the Android-based devices such as tablet also has a smooth user interface. Each ROM version has a different user interface,according to the ROM version you use.

3. Multimedia: These reasons are probably the most preferred by Android users, multimedia. Yup, we can play games, watch videos, browse the internet, open facebook, twitter with a wide screen that can be set zoom in and zoom out simply by touching the screen.

4. Multi-Tasking: Another reason why many are choosing Android is the ability to do multi-tasking. Android is able to run applications simultaneously such as listening to music while browsing and also receive notifications, open facebook and gtalk notifications and so on. All applications can be running simultaneously, either from congenital Android applications or applications that originate from the market. Notifications can be monitored through the homescreen with widgets that are available so that the info is sent can be quickly accepted by users.

5. Social Networking: Android provides a social networking such as facebook, twitter, skype, gtalk, and others. Android allows users to connect to each other with convenience. To enable you to communicate online in Google Talk, you must have a google account or gmail. In addition, there are many facebook applications that open source to facilitate users like Instagram.

Future of Android• Following the path taken by Android since its unveiling in 2007 isn’t an easy task: we’re not

talking here about a calm walk but a climb through a very steep slope. Its growth has been as impressive as its evolution and ability to adapt to the changing environment. Born in the shadow of iPhone’s hegemony, Android hasn’t been only able to struggle with iOS for the smartphone market share but it has also been able to introduce innovations

• From our point of view, the five challenges that Android has to face in a short/mid-term not to miss the boat:

• Fragmentation- In other words, the different OS versions cohabiting out there: Donut,

Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich,… 

• The drawback for users is a consequence of this: since some developers will opt to develop only apps for the last Android OS version the users that own an older version get stucked, specially if they can’t update their OS version because the manufacturer has decided not to release an update for an old or low-end device.

• Brand image- • I believe Android keeps growing thanks to its functionalities, not due to an effort of

branding. Actually, Android is far away of being a “love brand” as Apple is. Google isn’t up to it so far. Perhaps it’s this way because it’s difficult to promote an OS without focusing on the device that carries it. This precisely what manufacturers do in their advertising campaigns: focusing on the device’s features without paying too much attention to the OS. Thus, the decision of buying a device with Android OS is still a rational decision in which what matters is the price, the device looking/potential or the OS advantages. The emotional purchase doesn’t prevail as it does in Apple. The promotion is one of the lacks of Android. Google should look into it as soon as possible not just to attract new users but also to cultivate its loyalty. It will require an excellent and close relationship with manufacturers and an important investment on emotional campaigns.

• Patent War- • Apple and Android are immersed in a patent war which until now has mainly

damaged Android. These denounces look for putting burdens on Android’s growing. However, both manufacturers and Google are working on hitting back.

• Google has to demonstrate to its associated manufacturers that this path isn’t a threat either to the Nexus policy nor to the continuity of their partnership.

• Security- • Apple is often called the safest OS for smartphones. Does this mean that Android is not as

“secure” as Apple? This seems to be the shared belief, even though there weren’t reported too many gaps on Android security except the malware intrusion of January 2011. One of the most interesting features of Android is the freedom to develop and upload apps to the Android market. That’s a great chance for emerging developers and, at the same time, fits with Google’s mood. At the same time developers make apps having various permissions attracting the users attention to the unwanted permissions sometimes.This can be a sign of malware to the user.

• Thus Google should be ready to give a response in this sense by enhancing the info about permissions that users receive or by setting some restrictions on developer’s choice.

• Android expansion-• The future of Android OS will specially depend on its ability to get integrated

in other devices beyond smartphones. Android should do what Apple did but going the other way. In other words, Android should expand to PC, TV, Laptops and all those daily-use devices. It has to become a platform provider in a holistic way. Actually, the project Android x86 is working on making it run in laptops and PCs. The integration into Smart-TV is another path to explore

• Google believe that Android is strong enough to take part in this struggle, it should start thinking big. The integration in other type of devices must be its goal.

• These are the main challenges that Android has to face to survive and evolve in the short/mid-term.

PC applications :

•YouWave for Android:

•Runs Android apps and app stores on your PC, no phone required•Download thousands of apps online via app stores within youwave

• High performance - The fastest way to run Android on pc

• Easy to use - Easy to install. Easy to import and run apps

• Bluestacks for Android:

• BlueStacks App Player lets you run apps from your phone fast and fullscreen on Windows and Mac.

• Over 5 million people around the world use top apps like Angry Birds Space, Kik Messenger, Where’s My Water and more on their laptops with BlueStacks. It took 10 engineers two years to build the complex “Layer Cake” technology that enable this to happen – but you get to experience it free while in beta. You can download App Player now atBlueStacks.com

Netbooks , Notebooks and Laptops with Android:

•The Android has not only shown its impact on phones and cellular devices but is now Encroaching and Invading in the domains of computing too.

•Recently HP launched its Android powered laptops:

•HP Mini Android netback comes with a touchscreen for fast flicking through photos in its own new carousel software for Android, and because it runs on a low power Snapdragon processor, it’s got no fan, is ninja silent and will run for up to 12 hours on a charge.

• Smart T.V. With Android:

• Lenovo Smart TV (K91) is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 6GB of storage, packs a 42-inch (or 55-inch) 1920 x 1080-pixel 120Hz IPS panel and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. There’re four HDMI 1.4a ports, four USB 2.0 ports, a LAN port, an Ethernet port, SD card slot, YPbPr / YCbCr, AV, on-board WiFi, and a 5 megapixel webcam.

CONCLUSION• We there by draw a Consensus stating that

Android technology is not only useful for the geeks but also has proved fit and compatible for business operations.

• With its great compatibility in opening documents, excel sheets and pdf files it has shown its use in the corporate world.

• Apart from business and work it has given gaming a new front. Developers now create Games keeping Android in mind apart from other gaming consoles.

• With the prices coming down, Android seems to be the de facto king in the phone world as of now. Keeping our hopes high we can also expect Android to be the future leader in notebooks , watches ,T.V. s ,and many other Systems excluding phones.