Android, the worlds mostly widely used smartphone operating System is growing day by day with its highly enriched user interface and extensively used mobile applications. Some are using it as platform to develop applications while the others use it as one of source which connects them with their friends and relatives due to its highly customization and user friendly applications.
ANDROID WAS NOT FOUNDED BY GOOGLE
The Android operating system was founded by Andy Rubin, Chris White, Nick Sears and Rich Miner under the umbrella Android Inc. It was established in October 2003. Android was later acquired by Google who had been backing the company all along. The deal was struck in August 2005 at a price of $50 million. Google marketed the platform to handset makers and carriers on the promise of providing a flexible, up gradable system.
GOOGLE LAUNCHED ANDROID IN 2007
Google officially launched the operating system in November 2007. The operating system had initially been developed for cameras but Google saw a potential in the usage of the OS on smartphones and worked on a lot more features that you can see now. So Google saw it as potential opportunity to establish its impact on market by making it a platform for newer version of Smartphone.
ANDROID WAS INITIALLY DEVELOPED ONLY FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS
Android operating system was developed as a platform for digital cameras. But Google later changed its focus to smart phones as it saw its potential. So Google decided to go on and adopt Android OS for smartphones which has created a revolution in smartphones as it was widely accepted and easily accessible.
HTC DREAM – FIRST ANDROID SMARTPHONE
The first publicly used phone to run Android was HTC Dream. The HTC Dream was first released in October 2008. The device used the Linux-based Android operating system by Google. It used Android version 1.0 and was up gradable till 1.6. The Android operating system on the device was criticized for lack of functionality and software in comparison to certain established platforms like Nokia’s proprietary Symbian OS but was still considered to be innovative.
ANDROID HAS MORE THAN A BILLION USERS
Google’s Vice President for Android, Sundar Pichai, announced that the Android operating system has powered hundreds of millions of mobile devices in more than 190 countries around the world. It’s the largest installed base of any mobile platform and growing fast—every day another million user’s power up their Android devices for the first time and start looking for apps, games, and other digital content.
ANDROID VERSION NAMES
Apart from Android 1.0 and 1.1, all other Android versions have been named after sweet treats or desserts. These codenames are chosen alphabetically, and have thus far all been dessert items. Some codenames are associated with more than one version number, while others are limited to only a specific one. The reason for this inconsistency is not currently known. The naming typically appears to correspond to changes in the developer API levels, but this is not always true (example: 3.0 and 3.1 are both “Honeycomb” but they have different API levels). The names of different versions are :-
Cupcake:
- Android 1.5
Donut:
- Android 1.6
Eclair:
- Android 2.0
- Android 2.1
Froyo: (short for “frozen yogurt”)
- Android 2.2
Gingerbread:
- Android 2.3
Honeycomb:
- Android 3.0
- Android 3.1
- Android 3.2
Ice Cream Sandwich:
- Android 4.0
Jelly Bean:
- Android 4.1
- Android 4.2
- Android 4.3
KitKat:
- Android 4.4
Lolipop:
- Android 5.0
- Android 5.1
ANDROID NAMING ORDER
Android versions have been following an alphabetical order in their naming and upgrades but many users have failed to notice this.
- A for Astro (1.0)
- B for Bender (1.1)
- C for Cupcake (1.5)
- D for Donut (1.6)
- E for Eclair (2.0)
- F for Froyo (2.2.x)
- G for Gingerbread (2.3.x)
- H for Honeycomb (3.x)
- I for Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.x)
- J for Jelly Bean (4.3)
- K for KitKat (4.4)
- L for Lollipop (5.0)
OPEN MARKETPLACE FOR DISTRIBUTING YOUR APPS
With Google being a member of Open Handset Alliance (OHA), Android has given users or interested party right access to modify the source code of the operating system. Android was built from the ground-up to enable developers to create compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of the specs that a handset has to offer. It can be liberally extended to incorporate new cutting edge technologies as they emerge. The platform will continue to evolve as the developer community works together to build innovative mobile applications. This has allowed users and smartphone manufacturer’s great flexibility in adding features to the operating system. This also enables OEM’s to develop their skinned versions.
ANDROID IS FREE
Google offers Android operating system to smartphone manufacturers without payment for its license. This is one of the major advantages of Android which had attracted users as a platform to innovate more new apps based on it.
GOOGLE GAINS FROM ANDROID
Despite offering the Android software free to smartphone manufacturers, Google will likely achieve its aim of becoming the mobile advertising king through Android devices. Google makes its biggest revenue from advertising and this will pay off in the big way with the users from PCs to smartphones and tablets. It must be noted that Android dominates both categories.
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