Android - Revision history

Mr.x at 11:06, 25 August 2025

2025-08-25T11:06:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 25 August 2025
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	\| operating_system= Android OS		\| operating_system= Android OS
	\| website = https://www.android.com/		\| website = https://www.android.com/
	}}'''Android''' is a ~~'''mobile~~ operating system~~''' developed~~ by [[Google]], ~~initially developed by '''~~Android Inc.~~'''~~ and ~~based on the '''Linux kernel'''~~. ~~It is designed primarily~~ for ~~touchscreen~~ devices ~~like smartphones and tablets~~, ~~although it also powers wearables~~, ~~televisions~~, in-~~car systems~~, ~~and laptops~~. Android ~~has evolved into~~ the most ~~widely used~~ mobile ~~OS in the world~~, ~~with billions~~ of ~~active~~ devices ~~globally~~.<ref>https://www.~~android~~.com/</ref>		}}'''Android''' is an operating system for cellular telephones and tablet computers. Android began in 2003 as a project of the American technology company Android Inc., to develop an operating system for digital cameras. In 2004 the project changed to become an operating system for smartphones. Android Inc., was bought by the American search engine company Google Inc., in 2005. At Google, the Android team decided to base their project on Linux, an open source operating system for personal computers.

			On November 5, 2007, Google announced the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of dozens of technology and mobile telephone companies, including Intel Corporation, Motorola, Inc., NVIDIA Corporation, Texas Instruments Incorporated, LG Electronics, Inc., Samsung Electronics, Sprint Nextel Corporation, and T-Mobile (Deutsche Telekom). The consortium was created in order to develop and promote Android as a free open source operating system with support for third-party applications. Android-based devices use wireless networks in order to take full advantage of features such as one-touch Google searches, Google Docs (e.g., word editors, spreadsheets), and Google Earth (satellite mapping software).

			The first cellular telephone to feature the new operating system was the T-Mobile G1, released on October 22, 2008. In 2012 Android became the most popular operating system for mobile devices, surpassing Apple’s iOS, and, as of 2020, about 75 percent of mobile devices run Android.<ref>{{cite web\|title=Whai is Android? \|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/Android-operating-system\|website=Britannica \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==

Mr.x: /* Features */

2025-08-25T10:38:28Z

Features

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	== Features ==		== Features ==
	Android is a powerful and versatile mobile operating system that offers a wide range of features for both users and developers. Built on an open-source Linux kernel, it allows developers to access, modify, and improve its source code, encouraging innovation and collaboration. One of its most attractive aspects is its customizable user interface, enabling users to personalize wallpapers, themes, widgets, and launchers, unlike iOS. Android also supports multitasking, letting users run multiple apps at once, switch between them smoothly, and even use split-screen mode for side-by-side viewing. Through the Google Play Store, users gain access to millions of apps, games, movies, books, and more, making it a centralized hub for content. Android devices also feature Google Assistant, an AI-powered virtual helper capable of answering questions, performing tasks, and controlling smart home devices through voice commands. Security is a priority, with measures like app sandboxing, secure boot, encrypted systems, Play Protect, and regular updates to safeguard user data and privacy. The platform is also inclusive, offering accessibility features such as screen readers, magnification gestures, color inversion, and text-to-speech for users with special needs. Deep integration with Google services like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Photos enhances productivity and connectivity. For developers, Android provides strong support through Android Studio, extensive documentation, APIs, libraries, and tools to build high-quality applications. Together, these features make Android one of the most flexible, user-friendly, and developer-friendly platforms in the <ref>{{cite web \|title= Android Features \|url=~~world.~~https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/android-os/#_003\|website=Spiceworks \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>		Android is a powerful and versatile mobile operating system that offers a wide range of features for both users and developers. Built on an open-source Linux kernel, it allows developers to access, modify, and improve its source code, encouraging innovation and collaboration. One of its most attractive aspects is its customizable user interface, enabling users to personalize wallpapers, themes, widgets, and launchers, unlike iOS. Android also supports multitasking, letting users run multiple apps at once, switch between them smoothly, and even use split-screen mode for side-by-side viewing. Through the Google Play Store, users gain access to millions of apps, games, movies, books, and more, making it a centralized hub for content. Android devices also feature Google Assistant, an AI-powered virtual helper capable of answering questions, performing tasks, and controlling smart home devices through voice commands. Security is a priority, with measures like app sandboxing, secure boot, encrypted systems, Play Protect, and regular updates to safeguard user data and privacy. The platform is also inclusive, offering accessibility features such as screen readers, magnification gestures, color inversion, and text-to-speech for users with special needs. Deep integration with Google services like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Photos enhances productivity and connectivity. For developers, Android provides strong support through Android Studio, extensive documentation, APIs, libraries, and tools to build high-quality applications. Together, these features make Android one of the most flexible, user-friendly, and developer-friendly platforms in the world.<ref>{{cite web \|title=What Is Android Features? \|url=https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/android-os/#_003/ \|website=Spiceworks \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>

	=== Cross-Platform ===		=== Cross-Platform ===

Mr.x: /* Features */

2025-08-25T10:34:50Z

Features

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:04, 25 August 2025
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	== Features ==		== Features ==
	Android is a powerful and versatile mobile operating system that offers a wide range of features for both users and developers. Built on an open-source Linux kernel, it allows developers to access, modify, and improve its source code, encouraging innovation and collaboration. One of its most attractive aspects is its customizable user interface, enabling users to personalize wallpapers, themes, widgets, and launchers, unlike iOS. Android also supports multitasking, letting users run multiple apps at once, switch between them smoothly, and even use split-screen mode for side-by-side viewing. Through the Google Play Store, users gain access to millions of apps, games, movies, books, and more, making it a centralized hub for content. Android devices also feature Google Assistant, an AI-powered virtual helper capable of answering questions, performing tasks, and controlling smart home devices through voice commands. Security is a priority, with measures like app sandboxing, secure boot, encrypted systems, Play Protect, and regular updates to safeguard user data and privacy. The platform is also inclusive, offering accessibility features such as screen readers, magnification gestures, color inversion, and text-to-speech for users with special needs. Deep integration with Google services like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Photos enhances productivity and connectivity. For developers, Android provides strong support through Android Studio, extensive documentation, APIs, libraries, and tools to build high-quality applications. Together, these features make Android one of the most flexible, user-friendly, and developer-friendly platforms in the world.		Android is a powerful and versatile mobile operating system that offers a wide range of features for both users and developers. Built on an open-source Linux kernel, it allows developers to access, modify, and improve its source code, encouraging innovation and collaboration. One of its most attractive aspects is its customizable user interface, enabling users to personalize wallpapers, themes, widgets, and launchers, unlike iOS. Android also supports multitasking, letting users run multiple apps at once, switch between them smoothly, and even use split-screen mode for side-by-side viewing. Through the Google Play Store, users gain access to millions of apps, games, movies, books, and more, making it a centralized hub for content. Android devices also feature Google Assistant, an AI-powered virtual helper capable of answering questions, performing tasks, and controlling smart home devices through voice commands. Security is a priority, with measures like app sandboxing, secure boot, encrypted systems, Play Protect, and regular updates to safeguard user data and privacy. The platform is also inclusive, offering accessibility features such as screen readers, magnification gestures, color inversion, and text-to-speech for users with special needs. Deep integration with Google services like Gmail, Maps, Drive, and Photos enhances productivity and connectivity. For developers, Android provides strong support through Android Studio, extensive documentation, APIs, libraries, and tools to build high-quality applications. Together, these features make Android one of the most flexible, user-friendly, and developer-friendly platforms in the <ref>{{cite web \|title= Android Features \|url=world.https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/android-os/#_003\|website=Spiceworks \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>

	=== Cross-Platform ===		=== Cross-Platform ===

Mr.x: /* Architecture */

2025-08-25T10:32:11Z

Architecture

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:02, 25 August 2025
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	== Architecture ==		== Architecture ==
	Android’s architecture is layered and modular:		Android’s architecture is layered and modular:<ref>{{cite web \|title= Android Architecture? \|url=https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/android-os/ \|website=Spiceworks \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>

	• '''Linux Kernel''':At the bottom of the layers is Linux - Linux 3.6 with approximately 115 patches. This provides a level of abstraction between the device hardware and it contains all the essential hardware drivers like camera, keypad, display etc. Also, the kernel handles all the things that Linux is really good at such as networking and a vast array of device drivers, which take the pain out of interfacing to peripheral hardware.		• '''Linux Kernel''':At the bottom of the layers is Linux - Linux 3.6 with approximately 115 patches. This provides a level of abstraction between the device hardware and it contains all the essential hardware drivers like camera, keypad, display etc. Also, the kernel handles all the things that Linux is really good at such as networking and a vast array of device drivers, which take the pain out of interfacing to peripheral hardware.

Mr.x: /* Version History */

2025-08-25T10:29:50Z

Version History

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	== Version History ==		== Version History ==
	Android has evolved through various versions since its inception. Each version brings new features, enhancements, and optimizations to the platform. Here is a list of the major Android versions released to date:		Android has evolved through various versions since its inception. Each version brings new features, enhancements, and optimizations to the platform. Here is a list of the major Android versions released to date:<ref>{{cite web\|title=Android versions \|url=https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/tech-general/articles/android-os/ \|website=Spiceworks \|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>


	* Android 1.0 (Astro): The initial version of Android was released on September 23, 2008. It introduced basic functionalities such as web browsing, camera support, and access to Google services like Gmail and Google Maps.		* Android 1.0 (Astro): The initial version of Android was released on September 23, 2008. It introduced basic functionalities such as web browsing, camera support, and access to Google services like Gmail and Google Maps.

Mr.x: /* Ecosystem and OEMs */

2025-08-25T10:25:06Z

Ecosystem and OEMs

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	• '''Jetpack Libraries''': Architecture components, navigation, lifecycle-aware programming		• '''Jetpack Libraries''': Architecture components, navigation, lifecycle-aware programming

	~~== Ecosystem and OEMs ==~~
	~~Android is used by a variety of '''OEMs''' (Original Equipment Manufacturers):~~
	~~• Samsung~~
	~~• Xiaomi~~

	~~• Oppo~~

	~~• Vivo~~

	~~• Realme~~

	~~• Motorola~~

	~~• Sony~~

	~~• HMD Global (Nokia)~~

	~~• Asus~~

	~~Each OEM may ship Android with a custom UI layer like One UI (Samsung), MIUI (Xiaomi), or ColorOS (Oppo).~~

	== Mascot ==		== Mascot ==

Mr.x: /* Usage and Market Share */

2025-08-25T10:24:54Z

Usage and Market Share

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:54, 25 August 2025
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	Each OEM may ship Android with a custom UI layer like One UI (Samsung), MIUI (Xiaomi), or ColorOS (Oppo).		Each OEM may ship Android with a custom UI layer like One UI (Samsung), MIUI (Xiaomi), or ColorOS (Oppo).

	~~== Usage and Market Share ==~~
	~~As of 2025, Android holds over '''70%''' of the global smartphone OS market share. It dominates emerging markets and is used by a wide demographic across price points, from budget to flagship devices.~~

	== Mascot ==		== Mascot ==

Mr.x: /* Architecture */

2025-08-25T10:22:56Z

Architecture

@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
 Android’s architecture is layered and modular:
-• '''Linux Kernel''': Provides hardware abstraction, memory management, power management, and security.
+• '''Linux Kernel''':At the bottom of the layers is Linux - Linux 3.6 with approximately 115 patches. This provides a level of abstraction between the device hardware and it contains all the essential hardware drivers like camera, keypad, display etc. Also, the kernel handles all the things that Linux is really good at such as networking and a vast array of device drivers, which take the pain out of interfacing to peripheral hardware.
-• '''Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)''': Acts as an interface between hardware and the higher layers.
+• '''Android Runtime (ART)''': This is the third section of the architecture and available on the second layer from the bottom. This section provides a key component called Dalvik Virtual Machine which is a kind of Java Virtual Machine specially designed and optimized for Android.
-• '''Android Runtime (ART)''': Executes apps using ahead-of-time compilation.
+The Dalvik VM makes use of Linux core features like memory management and multi-threading, which is intrinsic in the Java language. The Dalvik VM enables every Android application to run in its own process, with its own instance of the Dalvik virtual machine.
-• '''Native C/C++ Libraries''': Include WebKit, SQLite, SSL, etc.
+The Android runtime also provides a set of core libraries which enable Android application developers to write Android applications using standard Java programming language.
-• '''Application Framework''': Offers APIs for app development (location, notifications, activity lifecycle).
+• '''Native C/C++ Libraries''': This category encompasses those Java-based libraries that are specific to Android development. Examples of libraries in this category include the application framework libraries in addition to those that facilitate user interface building, graphics drawing and database access. A summary of some key core Android libraries available to the Android developer is as follows −
-• '''Apps''': User-facing applications written in Java/Kotlin using the Android SDK.
+* android.app − Provides access to the application model and is the cornerstone of all Android applications.
 == Development Tools ==

Mr.x: /* Challenges and Criticism */

2025-08-25T10:11:28Z

Challenges and Criticism

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	As of 2025, Android holds over '''70%''' of the global smartphone OS market share. It dominates emerging markets and is used by a wide demographic across price points, from budget to flagship devices.		As of 2025, Android holds over '''70%''' of the global smartphone OS market share. It dominates emerging markets and is used by a wide demographic across price points, from budget to flagship devices.

	== ~~Challenges and Criticism~~ ==		== Mascot ==
	~~Despite~~ its ~~popularity~~, Android ~~has faced some issues:~~		The mascot of Android is a green android robot reflecting its software's name. Though for a very long time the mascot had no official name, the Android team at Google always referred to it as "Bugdroid". Then, in 2024, a Google blog post revealed the official name to be "The Bot".

	~~• Fragmentation – Different versions across devices~~		Irina Blok, a graphic designer at Google, designed it on November 5, 2007, the day Android was announced to the world. In fact, it is contrary to what has been stated that she was assigned a project to create an icon. That she was able to independently develop it and give it to the world openly was confirmed by Blok in an interview. The robot figure was originally not shown to Google but soon became common usage among Android developers with various variations made by those who liked the figure, since it was free under Creative Commons license. With the growing popularity amongst the developers, this figure was eventually adopted by Google as an official icon for the Android logo that was then presented to the consumers in 2008.

	~~• Privacy Concerns – Data sharing~~ with Google

	~~• Malware – Due~~ to ~~open APK installs~~

	~~• Slow Updates – OEMs delay security/OS patches~~

	== See Also ==		== See Also ==

Mr.x: /* Future of Android */

2025-08-25T10:09:04Z

Future of Android

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:39, 25 August 2025
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	• Slow Updates – OEMs delay security/OS patches		• Slow Updates – OEMs delay security/OS patches

	~~== Future of Android ==~~
	~~Google continues to refine Android with each version. With the introduction of Project Treble, modular updates have become faster. The company is also focusing on:~~

	~~• '''Foldables and large screen devices'''~~

	~~• '''AI and on-device ML'''~~

	~~• '''Seamless updates and virtualization'''~~

	== See Also ==		== See Also ==