What is Android, Who founded Android

Android is a mobile operating system used to operate mobile phones, tablets, and smart devices. Android OS was invented in 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris. The goal of this operating system at the time was to create smart software for digital cameras. This situation changed later as they realized the potential of mobile devices and Android was redesigned for mobile gadgets. Google bought Android, Inc. in July 2005 for approximately $50 million, What is Android, Who founded Android.

After the acquisition, the co-founders of Android went to work for Google, and the project expanded into the Android operating system. Google unveiled Android in 2007, and the first phone to run the Android operating system was the HTC Dream, available in 2008.

Android is an open-source operating system, so in theory, anyone can develop Android applications because the source code for Android is open. Android Studio is the official, primary tool for developing applications and is provided by Google itself, What is Android, Who founded Android.

Mostly, Android OS runs on a variety of other form factors but predominantly is used for phones only—like Samsung Galaxy series, Google Pixel, One Plus, Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, Vivo, and so on. Android users can download apps from many places, but the most used platform is the Play Store provided by Google. Android phones are very affordable and user-friendly because several companies use Android OS in their phones. Even Android phones come in various devices that suit all price segments, from budget phones to high-end ones.

What is the History of android operating system

The story of Android began in 2003, when Andy Rubin and his team started developing it as software for digital cameras. A bit later they changed their mind and focused on mobile phones. Google bought Android in 2005 for $50 million and turned it into the open-source operating system. It was left open to any company to utilize the operating system on their hardware, and anyone could develop apps. The first Android smartphone, HTC Dream, was launched in the year 2007 and in the very same year, Open Handset Alliance was formed.

In 2008, Android 1.0 came out with Google Play, YouTube, and Google Maps already in place. In 2009, Android 1.5 Cupcake and Android 1.6 Donut introduced a touch-screen keyboard and improved the abilities of search. From 2009 to 2010, Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair and Android 2.2 Froyo were inaugurated; the latter incorporated the addition of Google Maps Navigation and mobile hotspot. In 2010, Android 2.3 Gingerbread improved both battery life and the user interface, making the experience of a smartphone brilliant.

In 2011, Android 3.x Honeycomb was released, solely for tablets. Later that year, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich came out with a unified design for both smartphones and tablets; it also brought the option of face unlock and new features. In 2012, Android 4.1–4.3 Jelly Bean brought in Google Now and smart notifications. In 2013, Android 4.4 KitKat was supposed to be a lightweight and optimized version that would allow low-power devices to run smoothly, What is the History of android operating system.

Android 5.x Lollipop was rolled out between 2014 and 2015, introducing Material Design, which significantly made the UI much more handsome and colorful. Android 6.0 Marshmallow came out in 2015 with app permissions and fingerprint authentication, while from 2016 to 2017, Android 7.x Nougat brought forth multi-window mode and significant improvements to data-saving capabilities. Released between 2017 and 2018, Android 8.x Oreo presented picture-in-picture mode, notification channels, and numerous other refinements.

In 2018, Android 9 Pie was launched with features such as gesture navigation and digital wellbeing. In 2019, Android 10 introduced dark mode and full-screen gestures. Android 11 arrived in 2020 with smart device controls and notification history. Then, in 2021, Android 12 introduced “Material You” for personalization and the inclusion of a privacy dashboard for better security. Lastly, in 2022, Android 13 was released with a focus on customization and multi-device control.

What are the main features of Android

Android is an open-source operating system, so any company or developer in the world can modify it in the way they want. The smartphone manufacturers, therefore, take this opportunity and modify the operating system, making it resemble their identity in a better user experience. That basically encourages creativity and gives brands the leeway to add some unparalleled features.

The Google Play Store in Android supports the downloading of millions of apps under various categories, including education, games, music, video editing, photography, business, and health. You can download your apps according to your needs and interests. Besides, Android provides you with full freedom to customize your device as much as you want. You can change everything, from the home screen and lock screen to the app icons, wallpaper, and even the keyboard themes. You can add new features to your phone with third-party apps, What are the main features of Android.

But Android becomes so much more useful because of the multitasking feature; for example, you can take a video call and make notes side by side. It even offers features like split-screen and picture-in-picture mode. Android is not limited to just smartphones; it also accommodates tablets, smart TVs, smartwatches, and even in-car infotainment systems. In short, all sorts of Android devices range from budget to premium.

Android constantly releases security patches and new features that not only make the device safer but also help improve the performance of the old phones. It provides cloud services like Google Drive and Google Photos, where one can store his files and photos safely. One can access them from any device.

It even supports many Indian languages, including Hindi, to be easily understandable by locals. The phone is quite easy to set up in a native language. It even has connectivity with other smart devices, be it a smartwatch, a smart TV, or even home assistants.

Android has dark mode, which not only saves battery life but also reduces strain on the eyes at night. The battery saver mode helps your phone battery last longer. It has an ecosystem that offers its users better and smoother ease of use.

How Does Android Work

Linux Kernel (Base)

The Linux Kernel forms the base of Android. It acts as an intermediary between your device’s hardware—for instance, a camera, processor, or battery—and the software written. When you open a camera, for example, the Kernel relays the instructions to make the camera work correctly.

Libraries

Libraries are the software tool kits that help Android to conduct some definite tasks like storing data, web browsing, handling graphics, and security. For instance, the SQLite library holds the data of an app, whereas OpenGL ES enhances graphics.

Android Runtime (ART)

This component helps apps run smoothly and fast. Android Runtime (ART) translates the code of an app into a language that a device can understand. It makes apps faster and more efficient, increasing the performance of the device, How Does Android Work.

Application Framework

It would be this layer that helps app developers to create their apps: the framework gives them everything they need. The easiest example, if one developer wants to make an application that will use a camera, is that the framework gives the way to do it easily. It makes easier the building up of an app for developers and offering a good user experience.

Applications

This is the layer we see and use on our phones; for example, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps—all these fall under this category. Using Android, developers can then make these apps, and they do indeed make our lives so much easier: from chatting, watching videos, to even finding directions.

How Did Android Become the Most Used Operating System in the World

Open-Source Platform

Android is an open-source platform; hence, it is easily customizable by developers in the way they want. Due to this flexibility, major companies were able to customize it for their devices. Due to this, Android smartphones became available in most brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Oppo.

Google’s Support

Google acquired Android in 2005 and packaged it with its mainstream applications and services like Google Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. Millions of apps available through the Google Play Store have increased the use of Android.

Affordable Smartphones

One of the important features of Android is its availability in affordable smartphones. Companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo launched affordable Android phones that made it possible even in developing countries.

Variety and Customization

The greatest advantage of Android is its customizability. Users can customize the theme, applications, and settings on their smartphone in the way they like because the customizability does not extend only to smartphones; it extends to other devices like smart TVs, smartwatches, and tablets.

App Ecosystem

The Google Play Store boasts millions of apps across categories like games, social media, and productivity. Its developer-friendly environment entices new apps regularly, providing users with new features.

Hardware Partnerships

Android had to partner with the major companies Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and Motorola to make the smartphones. This helped Android become one of the leading platforms used worldwide.

Regular Updates and New Features

Android releases new versions from time to time with new features like NFC, fingerprint scanners, and integration with AI. All these updates make Android even more charming for the users.

Localization

Android localized their system in order to fulfill the demands of different languages and regions. This means that Android offers a tailored experience for users in every country around the world, turning them into global phenomena.

Lack of Strong Competition

Android’s biggest competitor would be iOS, but the biggest disadvantage for iOS was its restriction to Apple’s premium-priced devices. In this regard, other operating systems like Windows Phone couldn’t even compete with Android which became dominant in the smartphone marketplace.

Internet and Digital Revolution

The internet became more accessible on Android smartphones, especially among people who couldn’t afford or use computers. Similarly increased internet and digital service usage patterns further increased its popularity, What is Android, Who founded Android.

FAQs

What is the latest version of Android

The latest Android version, Android 14, was released in October 2023. It comes with a few new features, including better battery life, customization options, and the latest security updates. The new operating system improves performance.

In which devices is Android used

The android OS rules most smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and TVs. Android is currently the most-used mobile OS in the world by far.

What is the difference between Android and iOS

The major difference between Android and iOS is that Android is an open-source platform available on a pretty large number of devices, while iOS is exclusively made for Apple devices. The former offers many customization options, whereas the latter emphasizes security and a stable user experience, What is Android, Who founded Android.