Sunday 3 February 2013

Android OS 101

By Erika Jones


The Android platform is much like the Windows operating system you have on your PC. Yet, it is specifically developed to handle small, low power units like smartphones and tablets. It's created to run as efficiently as it can be while using as little power as possible. Android Inc. received worldwide attention when in August 2005 Google purchased the business and then immediately announced that they will make the operating system Open Source so that anyone can use it without paying for it or shell out any royalties.

The Android operating system is in fact founded on a customized variant of the Linux Kernel, Linux of course already being a proven open sorce alternative to Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X. At the most basic level, an operating-system supplies the layer between the hardware and software created to function upon it. In the case of Android it needs to be capable of passing instructions to the processor, mic, camera, GPS, antenna, touch screen and keypad etc. Different programs can then be designed to run on Android OS to make the device operational.

The Android operating system is undoubtedly an advanced software program and delivers a big punch in a small package. It uses a lightweight relational database known as SQLite to save and access data for the various apps that you install. It also offers built-in playback capability for many different media types like PNG, JPEG, BMP, MPEG, MP3, MIDI, WAV, WebM, H.263, H.264 and GIF. Concerning connectivity it will handle all the latest technologies out of the box like GSM, IDEN, CDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and WiMax, SMS and MMS forms of messaging turning it into the perfect platform for software coders to develop innovative new software.

Android has overtaken nearly all other smartphone operating system available, which includes Apple's iOS which powers the iPhones and Blackberry's own OS. Towards the end of 2010, approximately Thirty three million smartphones had been purchased which ran version of the Android operating system and research analyst NPD Group now estimates that 50 % of all smartphone purchases are for an Android smartphone.

The driving factor behind this swift uptake is the open source nature of the OS. Therefore any smartphone, tablet or portable device designer on the planet can obtain the source files, modify and customize it for their specific needs and distribute it on devices created by them. The royalty free aspect of Android has encouraged most of the biggest names in the smartphone market like Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola to build extremely appealing devices utilizing the Android OS.

One other reason for the big demand of Android phones is that towards the end of 2010 there were more than 200,000 apps available for download which included games to utilities, image editing to location services. Unlike Apple's iTunes store, a lot of Android programs cost nothing or have free versions, which in turn motivates people to use Android phones.




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