Android is a free,open source platform available for any one to use.The latest version is android 4.0 is bring new tools and capabilities to the ecosystem.Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middle ware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.
Android is a Linux-based operating system for mobile devices such as smartphone and tablet computers. It is developed by the Open Handset Alliance, led by Google, and other companies.
History:-
Android was founded in Palo Alto, California, United States in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin ,Rich Miner Nick Sears,and Chris White and interface to develop, in Rubin's words "...smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences".Google acquired Android on August 17,2005.
Android Versions:-
@ 2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste
features, better native code support, added SIP support (VoIP calls), and added support
for Near Field Communication
@ 3.0 Honeycomb was a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and
introduces many new user interface features, support for multi-core processors, hardware
acceleration for graphics and full system encryption.The first device featuring this
version,the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.
@ 3.1 Honeycomb, released in May 2011, added support for extra input devices, USB host
mode for transferring information directly from cameras and other devices, and the Google
Movies and Books apps.
@ 3.2 Honeycomb, released in July 2011, added optimization for a broader range of screen
sizes, new "zoom-to- fill" screen compatibility mode, loading media files directly from SD
card, and an extended screen support API. Huawei MediaPad is the first 7 inch tablet to
use this version.
@ 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, announced on October 19, 2011, brought Honeycomb features to
smart phones and added new features including facial recognition unlock, network data
usage monitoring and control, unified social networking contacts, photography
enhancements, offline email searching, app folders, and information sharing using NFC.
Android 4.0.4 is the latest Android version that is available to phones. The source code of
Android 4.0.1 was released on November 14, 2011.
Features:-
- Application framework enabling reuse and replacement of components
- Integrated browser based on the open source WebKit engine
- Optimized graphics powered by a custom 2D graphics library; 3D graphics based on the OpenGL ES 1.0 specification (hardware acceleration optional)
- SQLite for structured data storage
- Media support for common audio, video, and still image formats (MPEG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG, GIF).
- Dalvik virtual machine optimized for mobile devices.
- GSM Telephony (hardware dependent)
- Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi (hardware dependent).
- Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer (hardware dependent).
- Rich development environment including a device emulator, tools for debugging, memory and performance profiling, and a plugin for the Eclipse IDE.
- Handset layouts
- Storage
- Connectivity
- Messaging
- Multiple language support
- Web browser
- Java support
- Media support
- Streaming media support
- Additional hardware support
- Multi-touch
- Bluetooth
- Video calling
- Multitasking
- Voice based features
- Tethering
- External storage
- Screen capture