ANDROID: The Revolutionary Operating Environment For Mobile System
Now android is widely used Operating system Environment for the mobile users recorded over 1 billion active users using the environment. It is the fastest growing platform than any other platform.
QUESTION ARISES WHAT MAKES IT SO WIDELY USED ENVIRONMENT ?
Android Environment is based on Linux operating system Kernel as if you have a little knowledge about operating system you must have know Linux is the most secure and robust operating system widely used where performance and security is needed. Android uses Linux kernel environment as there base for the android environment.
Android OS is developed by Google Inc. and initially launched by Google on 23rd September 2008. Android operating system is mostly written in programming languages like c, c++ and java(UI). Under Apache license 2.0 and GNU GLP V2.
Android was unveiled in 2007 when the stone for Open Handset Alliance (a consortium of hardware, software, and telecommunication companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.) laid down.
Android is available at nearly free of cost for the mobile hardware provides they can customize it according to their needs as android is an open source operating environment.
The Open Source Feature / Nature of Android Environment allow a large number of mobile Application development communities to develop and encourage developers to develop application for android environment and add new features to the OS for users.
ANDROID TIMELINE:
In October 2003 Andy Rubin,Rich Miner, Nick Sears, Chris White laid down the stone for Android inc in palo alto, California. Company was laid down with the objective of making devices smarter for the user they can know the locations and preferences of the user and adjust accordingly. The aim of the company at that time was to develop an operating system with advance features to make smart digital cameras when they notice that the market is not big enough they decided to move their efforts towards development of OS for mobile phones.
On 17th august 2005 Google acquired android inc, Google marketed the platform to mobile Makers and providers and promised them to provide flexible and upgradable system.
A prototype name “snooner” was launched in December 2006. The prototype is closely resembled to Blackberry phone the prototype is without touch screen with a qwerty keyboard. Later the phone is transformed and touch screen was implemented.
On 5th November 2007 open handset alliance was came into existence when all the major companies decided to develop open standard for mobile phone manufacturing.
At that day Google reviles its new operating system for mobile phones build on Linux kernel 2.6.25.
HTC Dream was the first commercial phone with android operating system was launched on 22nd October 2008
In year 2010 Google comes up with the all new nexus series that run on the android platform with the hardware manufacturer HTC and launched nexus one
And many devices after that now the nexus 5 (Phone with LG) and nexus 7 (tablet with Asus) are in the market with the current operating system and hardware configuration.
TIME LINE: VERSIONS
| Version | Released on | features |
| Android 1.0 (API level 1 ) | September 23, 2008 | Android Market, Camera support, Gmail ,Google Contacts, Google Maps, Google Search, Google Talk, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support |
| Android 1.1 (API level 2) | February 9, 2009 |
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| Android 1.5 Cupcake (API level 3)[ | April 30, 2009 |
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| Android 1.6 Donut (API level 4) | September 15, 2009 |
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| Android 2.0 Eclair (API level 5) | October 26, 2009 |
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| Android 2.0.1 Eclair (API level 6) | December 3, 2009 |
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| Android 2.1 Eclair (API level 7) | January 12, 2010 |
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| Android 2.2–2.2.3 Froyo (API level 8) | May 20, 2010 |
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| Android 2.3–2.3.2 Gingerbread(API level 9) | December 6, 2010 |
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| Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread (API level 10) | February 9, 2011 |
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| Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread (API level 10) | April 28, 2011 |
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| Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread (API level 10) | July 25, 2011 |
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| Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread (API level 10) | September 2, 2011 |
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| Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level 10) | September 21, 2011 |
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Android 3.0 Honeycomb (API level 11)
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February 22, 2011 |
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| Android 3.1 Honeycomb (API level 12) | May 10, 2011 |
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| Android 3.2 Honeycomb (API level 13) | July 15, 2011 |
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Android 4.0–4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 14 )
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October 19, 2011 |
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| Android 4.0.3–4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 15) | December 16, 2011 |
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| Android 4.1 Jelly Bean(API level 16) | July 9, 2012 |
Smoother user interface:
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Android 4.2 Jelly Bean(API level 17)
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November 13, 2012 |
Lock screen improvements, including widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera
Premium SMS confirmation Fixed Bluetooth audio streaming bugs
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Android 4.3 Jelly Bean(API level 18)
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July 24, 2013 |
Bluetooth low energy support
Restricted access mode for new user profiles
Bug fixes and small tweaks for the Nexus 7 LTE |
| Android 4.4 KitKat (API level 19) | October 31, 2013 |
Ability for applications to use "immersive mode" to keep the navigation and status bars hidden while maintaining user interaction NFC host card emulation, enabling a device to replace smart cards Expanded functionality for notification listener services Audio tunneling, audio monitoring and loudness enhancer
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