Android

Android

Developer	Google
Initial release	September 23, 2008
Operating system	Android OS
Website	Visit

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.

History

The history of Android is a fascinating journey that spans several decades, characterized by innovation, collaboration, and evolution. From its humble beginnings, when it was competing with Nokia’s mobile OS Symbian, the Windows Phone OS, and Blackberry OS, to its dominant position in the mobile operating system market, Android has significantly influenced how we interact with technology.

Here’s an in-depth look at the history of Android:

Early origins and development (2003-2007)

The story of Android began in 2003 when Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White founded Android Inc. in Palo Alto, California. Their initial goal was to develop an advanced operating system for digital cameras. However, recognizing the potential of their project, they shifted their focus to creating an operating system for mobile devices.

Acquisition by Google (2005)

In 2005, Google, led by then-CEO Eric Schmidt, acquired Android Inc., laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most significant developments in the mobile industry. Google’s acquisition of Android signaled its entry into the rapidly growing smartphone market and set the stage for developing a new mobile operating system.

Open Handset Alliance and the launch of Android (2007)

On November 5, 2007, the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) was unveiled. It comprised several prominent technology companies, including Google, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and others. The OHA aimed to develop open standards for mobile devices and promote innovation in the mobile industry. Shortly after, on November 5, 2007, Google announced the first beta version of the Android operating system.

Android 1.0 and the first Android device (2008)

The first commercial version of Android, Android 1.0, was released on September 23, 2008. The HTC Dream, also known as T-Mobile G1, was the first smartphone to run on the Android operating system. The HTC Dream featured a touchscreen interface, a physical keyboard, and access to Google services such as Gmail, Maps, and YouTube.

Since its initial release, Android has undergone significant evolution with regular updates and new versions introduced to the market, as we will discuss later. The developer preview of Android 15 has been launched in 2024.

Growth and dominance in the mobile market

Over the years, Android has experienced tremendous growth, rapidly becoming the world’s most popular mobile operating system. According to Statcounter, as of January 2022, Android holds over 72% of the global mobile operating system market share, far surpassing its competitors.

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 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 1.1 (Bender): Released on February 9, 2009, Android 1.1 included minor updates and bug fixes to improve system stability and performance.

• Android 1.5 (Cupcake): Introduced on April 27, 2009, Android 1.5 brought significant improvements, such as an on-screen keyboard, support for third-party widgets, and video recording capabilities.

• Android 1.6 (Donut): Released on September 15, 2009, Android 1.6 featured updates to the user interface, improved search functionality, and support for CDMA networks.

• Android 2.0/2.1 (Eclair): Android 2.0 and 2.1, known collectively as Eclair, were released on October 26, 2009. Eclair introduced features such as multiple account support, Bluetooth 2.1, and an updated web browser.

• Android 2.2 (Froyo): Released on May 20, 2010, Android 2.2 (Froyo) introduced significant performance improvements, support for Adobe Flash Player, and the ability to install apps on external storage.

• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread): Introduced on December 6, 2010, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) focused on refining the user interface, improving gaming performance, and adding support for near field communication (NFC).

• Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 (Honeycomb): Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) was released on February 22, 2011, and was specifically designed for tablets. It featured a redesigned user interface, support for multicore processors, and improved multitasking capabilities.

• Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich): Released on October 18, 2011, Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) merged the tablet and smartphone versions of Android. It introduced features such as a new user interface, enhanced multitasking, and support for facial recognition.

• Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 (Jelly Bean): Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) was released on July 9, 2012, followed by subsequent updates 4.2 and 4.3. Jelly Bean introduced features such as improved performance, enhanced notifications, and support for multiple user accounts on tablets.

• Android 4.4 (KitKat): Released on October 31, 2013, Android 4.4 (KitKat) focused on optimizing the operating system for low-end devices. It introduced features such as improved memory management, a new dialer app, and support for cloud printing.

• Android 5.0/5.1 (Lollipop): Android 5.0 (Lollipop) was released on November 12, 2014, followed by updates to 5.1. Lollipop introduced the Material Design language, improved performance, enhanced security features, and support for 64-bit processors.

• Android 6.0 (Marshmallow): Released on October 5, 2015, Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) introduced features such as app permissions, Google Now on Tap, and a new battery-saving feature called Doze.

• Android 7.0/7.1 (Nougat): Android 7.0 (Nougat) was released on August 22, 2016, followed by updates to 7.1. Nougat introduced features such as split-screen multitasking, enhanced notifications, and support for Daydream VR.

• Android 8.0/8.1 (Oreo): Android 8.0 (Oreo) was released on August 21, 2017, followed by updates to 8.1. Oreo introduced features, such as picture-in-picture mode, notification dots, and improved battery life, through background app limitations.

• Android 9 (Pie): Released on August 6, 2018, Android 9 (Pie) introduced features such as gesture-based navigation, adaptive battery, and digital wellbeing tools to help users monitor their smartphone usage.

• Android 10: Released on September 3, 2019, Android 10 introduced features such as a system-wide dark mode, improved privacy controls, and support for foldable smartphones.

• Android 11: Released on September 8, 2020, Android 11 focused on enhancing communication, privacy, and control with features like chat bubbles, one-time permissions, and improved media controls.

• Android 12: Released on October 4, 2021, Android 12 introduced a major visual overhaul with Material You design language, enhanced privacy features, and performance improvements.

• Android 13: Android 13 focused on user privacy with features like a photo picker and notification permission settings. Building on Android 12’s tablet optimizations, Android 13 enhances system UI, multitasking, and compatibility modes.

• Android 14: Released on October 4, 2023, Android 14 enhances accessibility with features like 200% font scaling and customizable lock screens. Additionally, it introduces support for lossless audio formats and an improved magnifier for low-vision users.

• Android 15: It is the upcoming iteration of the Android operating system, slated for release in early 2025. It introduces advanced encryption features for secure data storage and transmission, among other 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.

Cross-Platform

Runs across various form factors:

• Smartphones (e.g., Pixel, Galaxy)

• Tablets (e.g., Galaxy Tab)

• Smartwatches (Wear OS)

• Smart TVs (Android TV, Google TV)

• Cars (Android Auto)

• IoT Devices (Android Things)

Architecture

Android’s architecture is layered and modular:

• 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.

• 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.

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.

The Android runtime also provides a set of core libraries which enable Android application developers to write Android applications using standard Java programming language.

• 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 −

• android.app − Provides access to the application model and is the cornerstone of all Android applications.

• android.content − Facilitates content access, publishing and messaging between applications and application components.

• android.database − Used to access data published by content providers and includes SQLite database management classes.

• android.opengl − A Java interface to the OpenGL ES 3D graphics rendering API.

• android.os − Provides applications with access to standard operating system services including messages, system services and inter-process communication.

• android.text − Used to render and manipulate text on a device display.

• android.view − The fundamental building blocks of application user interfaces.

• android.widget − A rich collection of pre-built user interface components such as buttons, labels, list views, layout managers, radio buttons etc.

• android.webkit − A set of classes intended to allow web-browsing capabilities to be built into applications.

Having covered the Java-based core libraries in the Android runtime, it is now time to turn our attention to the C/C++ based libraries contained in this layer of the Android software stack.

• Application Framework: The Application Framework layer provides many higher-level services to applications in the form of Java classes. Application developers are allowed to make use of these services in their applications.

The Android framework includes the following key services −

• Activity Manager − Controls all aspects of the application lifecycle and activity stack.

• Content Providers − Allows applications to publish and share data with other applications.

• Resource Manager − Provides access to non-code embedded resources such as strings, color settings and user interface layouts.

• Notifications Manager − Allows applications to display alerts and notifications to the user.

• View System − An extensible set of views used to create application user interfaces.

Apps: You will find all the Android application at the top layer. You will write your application to be installed on this layer only. Examples of such applications are Contacts Books, Browser, Games etc.

Development Tools

• Android Studio: The official IDE

• Languages: Java, Kotlin (official), C++ (via NDK)

• Build System: Gradle

• Emulator: For testing across different devices and versions

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

Mascot

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".

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.

See Also

• iOS

• Google Play

• Wear OS

• Fuchsia (operating system)