About Google Android

Quoting source.android.com, android is  an open-source software stack for mobile devices, and a corresponding open-source project led by Google. We created Android in response to our own experiences launching mobile apps. We wanted to make sure that there was no central point of failure, so that no industry player can restrict or control the innovations of any other. That's why we created Android, and made its source code open.


History

]Android Inc. founded in 2003

Android, Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California, United States in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, et al. to develop, in Rubin's words "...smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences." Other early key employees include Andy McFadden, who worked with Rubin at WebTV, and Chris White, who led the design and interface of WebTV, before helping to found Android.

Rubin, a co-founder of Danger Inc., Miner, a co-founder of Wildfire Communications, Inc. and former vice-president of Technology and innovation at Orange, and the other early employees brought considerable wireless industry experience to the company.Despite the obvious past accomplishments of the founders and early employees, Android Inc. operated secretively, admitting only that it was working on software for mobile phones.

Version history

Main article: Android version history
Android has seen a number of updates since its original release. These updates to the base operating system typically fix bugs and add new features. Generally each new version of the Android operating system is developed under a code name based on a dessert item.
The most recent released versions of Android are:
  • 2.0/2.1 (Eclair), which revamped the user interface and introduced HTML5 and Exchange ActiveSync 2.5 support
  • 2.2 (Froyo), which introduced speed improvements with JIT optimization and the Chrome V8 JavaScript engine, and added Wi-Fi hotspot tethering and Adobe Flash support
  • 2.3 (Gingerbread), which refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste features, and added support for Near Field Communication
  • 3.0 (Honeycomb), a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and introduces many new user interface features, and supports multicore processors and hardware acceleration for graphics.The Honeycomb SDK has been released and the first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.
Upcoming versions of Android are:
  • 2.3.3 (Gingerbread), an update to 2.3, anticipated to be released in April 2011. Initially, Google wanted to name that version 2.4, but renumbered the version afterwards.
  • Ice-cream sandwich, a combination of 2.3 Gingerbread and 3.0 Honeycomb into a "cohesive whole,"with a possible release in mid-2011
From Amazon.com

How Does the Android Operating System Work?


The Android operating system (OS) was built from the ground up to enable the creation of compelling mobile applications that take full advantage of all a handset has to offer. Android was built to be truly open. For example, an application can call upon any of the device's core functions such as making calls, sending text messages, or using the camera, allowing for a richer and more cohesive user experience.

Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications and utilizes a custom virtual machine designed to optimize memory and hardware resources in a mobile environment. Android is open source and can be extended to incorporate new cutting-edge technologies as they emerge. The platform will continue to evolve as more innovative mobile applications are built.

Android provides access to a wide range of useful libraries that can be used to build rich applications and includes a full set of tools that have been built along with the platform to ensure high productivity and deep insight when applications are being developed.

Android Phone Technology


The Android OS is a complete mobile phone software stack and includes everything a manufacturer or operator needs to build a mobile phone. Android has been made available as open source and was designed to enable the best user experience possible on a mobile phone by leveraging web and Internet content to provide advanced services such as mobile mashups.

Android Tablet Technology


What is a tablet? A computer contained entirely in a flat touchscreen that uses a fingertip, stylus, or digital pen as the primary input device, instead of a keyboard or mouse. This makes it possible for you to navigate easily and type with a virtual keyboard on the screen.

It is similar to removing the screen from your laptop, making it touch-sensitive, and having all of the hardware built behind the screen. Tablets fit somewhere between smartphones and notebooks, and usually have screen sizes between 5- and 11-inches (13-28 centimeters) when measured diagonally.

Tablets are primarily intended to be Internet-connected devices, allowing you to surf the Web, stream videos, check email, and post updates to social networking sites. Tablets are basically smartphones that come with bigger screens and more processing power.

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