What is Android? | Versions | Android Framework | Advantages of Android OS
Introduction
Whether you are a developer or a casual user, understanding the world’s most popular mobile OS is essential. In short, Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Originally, it was developed by Andy Rubin, who is often credited as the “father” of the platform. However, his company, Android Inc., was acquired by Google in 2005, which took over both the development work and the core team.
The Power of Open Source
Google’s primary vision was for Android to be open and free. Consequently, the code was released as open-source software. This means that anyone can download the full source code to customize or build their own version. Furthermore, Android is designed to support a vast variety of hardware, ranging from high-end smartphones to smart home appliances.
What is Android?
Android is a mobile operating system that is based on a modified version of Linux.
It was originally developed by Andy Rubin who has been credited as the father of the android platform.
His company Android INC. was acquired by the google in 2005 and took over its development work as well as its development team.
Google wanted android to be open and free, hence the android code was released as the open source, which means that anyone who wants to use android can do so by downloading the full android source code.
Android is designed to support a large variety of hardware platforms, from WVGA phones with hard keyword to QVGA devices with resistive touch screens.
This is an open source development platform for creating mobile application.
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The end of 2009 over 20 Android-Compatible handsets had been launched or announced in more than 26 countries on 32 different carrier networks.
Nowadays, android devices come in all shape and sizes. Below are the following types of the devices.
Smart Phones
Smart Watch
Net Books
Tablets
Smart glasses
Cars
Cameras
Smart TVs
Home Appliances
Open Handset Alliance
This was formed in November 2007, which is a group of more than 50 technology companies that introduced Android, on open source mobile phone operating system.
The Open handset alliance aims to devolve open standards for mobile devices, promote innovation in mobile phones and provide a better experience for consumers at a lower cost.
Android Framework
Order to understand how android works, you need to learn about the framework of the android.
The android operating framework system have a five layer are
5. Linux Kernel
Provides core services including hardware drivers, process and memory management, security, network and power management. Linux kernel provide an abstraction layer between the hardware and the remainder of the stack.
4. Libraries
The libraries layer runs on top of the Linux kernel and provides essential system functionalities. These libraries are written in C and C++ and support various core features required by Android applications.
For example, Android includes core libraries such as libc and SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for security and system operations. In addition, it provides the WebKit library for web browsing functionality and a media library that supports audio and video playback.
Furthermore, the Surface Manager handles display management, while SQLite offers native database support. As a result, developers can efficiently manage data, graphics, and multimedia within their applications.
3. Android Runtime
Android Runtime includes the core libraries and the Dalvik Virtual Machine, which together form the execution engine that powers Android applications. Because of this structure, apps can run efficiently across various Android devices.
In addition, the core libraries provide essential functions required for application development. Meanwhile, the Dalvik Virtual Machine manages memory and ensures optimized performance. As a result, developers can build applications that perform smoothly and reliably.
2. Application Framework
The Application Framework provides the classes required to create Android applications. It also offers a generic abstraction for hardware access and manages the user interface as well as application resources.
In addition, this framework allows developers to reuse core system components. As a result, app development becomes faster and more efficient. Furthermore, it ensures consistency across different Android devices.
1. Application
All applications, including native and third-party apps, are built on the application layer using the same API libraries. Therefore, developers can access device features and system services in a standardized way.
Because of this unified structure, Android maintains flexibility while ensuring compatibility across devices.
What is API Level?
An API Level is an integer value that uniquely identifies the framework API revision offered by a specific version of the Android platform. In other words, it helps developers understand which features and system behaviors are available on a particular Android version.
Because each Android release introduces new APIs and improvements, the API Level ensures compatibility between applications and devices. Therefore, developers can use this number to decide the minimum Android version their app should support.
List of Android Versions
The code names of android ranges from A to P, such as Aestro, Blender, Cupcake, Donut,
Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo and Pie.
After Google breaks tradition of naming Mobile OS versions named after sweets starting with cupcake and ending with Android Pie. Google decide a upcoming mobile OS by simply naming it Android 10 likewise.
Android Versions Name, API and Features
Android 1.0
The very first version of Android was introduced by google, with an application programming interface 1 or API 1.
It was released on September 23, 2008, and officially not declare any name for this version but according to some reports, it was known as Android Alpha.
Android 1.1
Again not code name for officially but as per reports Knows as Android Beta, released on February 9,2009, with API level 2.
Features of Android
Android offers several powerful features that enhance user experience and functionality.
- Support for Third-Party Keyboards: Users can install and use third-party keyboard applications. As a result, they can customize typing styles, languages, and themes according to their preferences.
- Video Recording: Android devices support high-quality video recording. In addition, users can easily share recorded videos through various apps and platforms.
- Saving MMS Attachments: The system allows users to save multimedia message (MMS) attachments directly to their devices. Therefore, important media files can be accessed later without difficulty.
- Video Playback: Android provides smooth video playback support for multiple formats. Furthermore, users can stream or watch videos using built-in or third-party media players.
- Copy and Paste Feature in Web Browser: The web browser includes a copy-and-paste feature. This makes it easier to transfer text between applications and improves productivity.
Android 1.5 cupcake
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Released on April 27, 2009, With API level 3. This is a first android version are officially get a dessert Nickname.
Features
On-screen soft keyboard
Ability to opload video to Youtube
Faster and polished UI for all applications
Android 1.6 Donut
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Android 1.6 Donut was released on September 15, 2009, With API level 4. After few month of cupcake launch this version.
Features
CDMA Technololgy
Support on various Screen size
Battery usage Indicator
Android 2.0 Eclair
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Android Eclair (API Level 5–7)
Android Eclair was released on October 26, 2009, and it came with API Levels 5 to 7. This version introduced several improvements that enhanced both performance and user experience.
Features of Android Eclair
Android Eclair included multiple new features and system upgrades. Some of the most notable improvements are listed below:
Enhanced Camera Features: The camera received major improvements, including digital zoom and color effects. Furthermore, these enhancements allowed users to capture higher-quality photos.
Improved User Interface with Google Search Bar: The user interface was enhanced with a built-in Google search bar. As a result, users could quickly search the web directly from the home screen.
HTML5 Support: Eclair introduced support for HTML5 in the browser. Therefore, users experienced better web compatibility and richer multimedia content.
Multitouch Support (Up to 3 Fingers): This version added multitouch capability for up to three fingers. In addition, it improved gesture-based navigation and interaction.
Android 2.2 Froyo
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Released on May 20, 2010, With API level 8.
This version was make public during Google I/O 2010 conference and it offered several expansion when compared to Android 2.0 Eclairs.
Features
FM Radio
OpenGL improvments
JIT Compiler
Android 2.3 Gingerbread
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Released on December 06, 2010, With API level 9 to 10. Samsung was released first device Nexus S with this OS.
Features
NFC Support
VoIP call
Beeter application management
Redesigned on-screen keyboard
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
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It introduced on February 22, 2011, With API level 11 to 13. This android version wad designed for large screen devices like tablets.
Features
Imptroved Browser
More Sensor Support
Improved Task Switcher
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
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Released on October 18, 2011, With API level 14 to 15. This android version design a merge experience for both smartphone and tablets.
First Android version to support face unlock on various picked devices.
Features
Voice typing enhancement
Improved copy and paste
New calender feature
Disabling app
Android 4.1 Jellybean
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Released on July 9, 2012, With API level 16 to 18. Android jellybean performance improvement compare to the ice cream sandwich and smooth user experience.
Features
Voice search
Expandable Notification
Android 4.4 KitKat
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Released on October 31, 2013, With API level 19 to 20.
Features
Consistent look and feel
New System font
Screen shots
Android 5.0 Lollipop
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Released on November 12, 2014, With API level 20 to 22. Android offered a redesigned UI and it also replaced Dalvik with Android Runtime(ART) to improve battery optimization and application performance.
Features
Material Design
Notification and Interruption
Priority mode
Predict Battery life
OK Google
Quick Setting
Ambient Display
Screen Pinning
Apps Return after reboot
Add Multiple Guest and users
Improved Keyboard
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
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It introduced on October 05, 2015, With API level 23. Improved user privacy offered a new permission architecture.
Feature
Natively support USB Type-C
Physical fingerprint sensor
Inactive app will be put to sleep
Native Fingerprint support
USB Type-C and USB 3.1 support
Android 7.0 Nougat
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Released on August 22, 2016, With API level 24 to 25. Nougat support for Vulkan API for better graphics rendering.
Features
New app notification format
Split screen mode
Data saver
Android 8.0 Oreo
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It was released on August 21, 2017, With API level 26 to 27. Support Bluetooth version 5.0.
Features
Picture-in-picture
Password Autofill
Notification channel
New emoji styling
Android 9.0 Pie
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Pie was Released on August 06, 2018, With API level 28.
Today, More than one smartphone based on this os. Pie give refreshed material design with new style navigation button.
Features
New gesture navigation
Adaptive battery and brightness
App actions
New Accessibility menu
New screenshot shotcut
Easier text selection
Android 10 (Android Q – API Level 29)
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Released on, September 3, 2019 also known as Android Q, with API Level 29. Unlike previous versions, Google broke its long-standing tradition of naming Android versions after sweets. Instead of continuing from Android Pie, the company decided to use a simple numerical naming system and introduced it as Android 10.
This change marked a new direction in Android branding and versioning.
Features of Android 10
It introduced several important improvements designed to enhance usability, privacy, and performance.
Support for Foldable Devices: Android 10 was optimized for foldable smartphones. Because of this improvement, apps could seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes and layouts.
Full-Screen User Interface: The update provided a more immersive full-screen experience. As a result, users could enjoy apps and media with minimal visual distractions.
Redesigned Navigation System: Android 10 introduced gesture-based navigation. In addition, this system replaced traditional buttons with smoother swipe controls.
Smart Reply in All Messaging Apps: The Smart Reply feature was expanded across messaging applications. Therefore, users could quickly respond to messages with suggested replies.
New Parental Controls: Enhanced parental controls were added to improve digital well-being. Furthermore, parents gained better control over screen time and app usage.
Android 11
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It introduced on September 08, 2020, With API level 30.
Android 11 introduced several enhancements focused on communication, privacy, and smart device control. Compared to previous versions, this update improved notification management and user interaction features.
Features of Android 11
Android 11 brought a range of useful features designed to improve everyday smartphone usage.
Dark Theme Scheduling: Users could schedule the dark theme to activate automatically. Because of this feature, screen brightness could be optimized based on time or preference.
Conversation Notifications: Conversations from messaging apps were grouped in a dedicated section within the notification panel. As a result, users could easily prioritize and manage important chats.
Built-in Screen Recorder: Android 11 introduced a native screen recording feature. Therefore, users no longer needed third-party applications to record their screens.
Notification History: The update added a notification history option. In addition, users could review previously dismissed notifications.
Chat Bubbles: Chat bubbles allowed conversations to appear as floating windows on the screen. This made multitasking easier while using other apps.
Media Controls: Media controls were redesigned and integrated into the quick settings panel. Consequently, users could switch between media outputs more efficiently.
Smart Device Controls: Android 11 added quick access to connected smart home devices. Furthermore, users could control lights, thermostats, and other smart gadgets directly from the power menu.
Android 12
Released on October 4, 2021, this version came with API Levels 31 and 32. It introduced a major visual redesign along with important privacy and usability improvements. Compared to Android 11, the update focused heavily on personalization and user control.
Features
Dynamic Color: Android 12 introduced the “Material You” design system, which automatically adapts system colors based on the user’s wallpaper. As a result, the interface feels more personalized and visually consistent.
Conversation Widgets: The update added dedicated conversation widgets for the home screen. Therefore, users can quickly access important chats without opening messaging apps.
Accessibility Improvements: Android 12 improved accessibility tools for users with disabilities. In addition, features such as magnification and extra dim mode enhanced overall usability.
Privacy Dashboard: A new privacy dashboard was introduced to give users better control over app permissions. Consequently, users can easily monitor which apps access their camera, microphone, or location.
Scrolling Screenshots: Android 12 added support for scrolling screenshots. Because of this feature, users can capture an entire webpage or long conversation in a single screenshot.
Security and Privacy Improvements: This version included multiple background security upgrades. Furthermore, indicators now appear when apps access sensitive hardware like the camera or microphone.
Advantages of Android
One of the main advantages of adopting Android is its unified approach to application development. Because of this structure, developers only need to build an app once, and it can run on multiple devices powered by Android.
Furthermore, Android is a free and open-source platform. This means developers do not need to pay any licensing fees to create applications. As a result, development becomes more affordable and accessible.
In addition, there are no costly obstacles to publishing applications. Developers can write and publish almost any type of application they want without strict restrictions. Therefore, Android provides flexibility and freedom for innovation.
Free and open source
Android is an open source platform. Developers can not pay for license to develop.
No costly Obstacles to publication
In android, developers can write and publish any kind of application they want.
A free market for applications
Google developed the android market, a generic android application store, where developer can come with their own delivery and payment mechanism.
Familiar and inexpensive development tools
The android SDK and tools are freely available. Download android SDK from android website after agreeing to the term of the android SDK license agreement.
Enabling development of powerful applications
On the android platform, all android applications use the same libraries, there is no distinction between Native and third-party application.
Quick Customization and Feedback
Developers have an easy way to fix, improve, and update their apps thanks to the robust facilities that Android tools provide. Additionally, they have the unique opportunity to adapt their applications based on direct user advice and reviews found in the Google Play Store. By listening to this feedback, developers can ensure their software remains competitive and user-friendly.
Conclusion
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