By-Kavita Khandekar

What is Android?

It is a software cluster for mobile devices that include a operating system.

Key Applications and middle ware.

An Open Handset Alliance(OHA) Project.

Based on Linux Kernel 3.0

Timeline Open handset alliance announces Android on November 5 th ,

2007.

Android market (Open content distribution system) announced on august 28 th , 2008 to connect users and developers.

Android 1.0 release 1 available on September 23 rd , 2008 and android developers have access to first 1.0 compatible .

Android open source project released android source on October 21 st , 2008.

World’s first Android mobile (T-Mobile G1) launched on October 22 nd , 2008.

What is Open Handset Alliance?

It's a consortium of several companies.

Devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.

Develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and Distributing mobile devices and services.

Architecture diagram

Android VersionsVersions Names

1.0 Beta

1.1 Beta

1.5 Cupcake

1.6 Donut

2.0 Eclair

2.1 Eclair

2.2 Froyo

2.3 Gingerbread

3.0 Honeycomb

3.1 Honeycomb

3.2 Honeycomb

4.0 Ice-Cream-Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwich

Gingerbread + Honeycomb

Linux Kernel

Works as a Interface

Device drivers

Memory management

Process management

Networking

Libraries

C/C++ libraries

Interface through Java

2D and 3D graphics

Media codecs, SQLite, Browser engine

Application Framework

API interface

Activity manager –manages application life cycle.

Content Providers Content Providers enable applications to access data from other applications

1. An Open Accessory API

Allows external USB hardware (an Android USB

accessory) to interact with an Android-powered

device in a special "accessory" mode

2. Cloud Music

Users will be able to upload their libraries, playlists, etc.

Access them virtually anywhere from various devices whether online or offline

3. One OS for all

Bridge the gap between tablets and phones

4. NFC Sharing (Near Field

Communication)

Bring the devices together and the data shared

without launching an application or navigating

through the UI.

5. Gaming Improvements

Neat 3D stuff

Better processor optimization

6.Expanding, Resizable

widgets

For enhanced multitasking and visual access to applications.

7. Ability to be a USB host

We can hook up keyboards, mouse etc.

8. Face Detection

Allow better coordination of a video chat/conference session by being able to highlight the speaker over and above the listener.

Advanced Face-record

9. Uses a single UI interface

UI inspiration from Honeycomb for Phone form factor

Holographic UI

Multitasking UI

Advantages

Free to customize

All applications are equal

A more mature platform

More apps (because of its age)

Fast and easy development

Limitations Very unstable and often hang or crash

Extremely inconsistence in design among apps

Difficult to use because if the above

Relatively few if any update because the updates come from phone manufacturer not Google.

Conclusion

Solid, proven, popular, open platform

Used on wide range of devices

Support from Google, telecom

Low barriers to entry

Major opportunity for new developers

Creativity, hard work

References

www.gizmodo.com

www.knowyourmobile.in

www.readwriteweb.com

www.techradar.com