INTRODUCTION TO ANDROID
ANDROID
● Founded by Andy Rubin in year 2003.
● Google acquired Android, Inc. in 2005.
● The open handset alliance, a group of several companies was formed on 5th november, 2007.
● Android Beta SDK Released on 12th november, 2007.
● It is an open source and Linux-based Operating System for mobile devices such as Smartphones and
tablet Computers.
● Android was developed by the Open Handset Alliance, led by Google, and other
companies.
Open Handset Alliance
● The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a business
alliance of firm to develop open standards for mobile
devices.
● Devoted to advancing open standards for mobile
devices.
● Develop technologies that will significantly lower the
cost of developing and distributing mobile devices
and services.
Android Application
● Android applications are usually
developed in the Java language using the
Android Software Development Kit.
● Once developed,Android applications can
be packaged easily and sold out either
through a store such as Google Play,
SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, Mobango,
F-droidand the Amazon Appstore.
● There are many android applications in
the market.
● Features Of Android !
API Level
● API Level is Application Programming
Interface level.
● API Level is an integer value that uniquely
identifies the framework API revision offered
by a version of the Android Platforms.
● Some of the recent versions of
the android are listed.
Android
Architecture
Android operating
system is a stack of
software components
which is roughly
divided into five
sections and four main
layers as shown in the
architecture diagram.
● The Architecture is based on linux 2.6 Kernel.
● This layer is the core of the android architecture. It provides services like power management,
memory management, security etc.
● It helps in software or hardware binding for better communication.
● Android has its own libraries which is written in C, C++.
● These libraries can not be accessed directly. With the help of application framework we can access
those libraries.
● There are any libraries like Web libraries to access Web browsers, libraries for android and video
format etc.
● This is all written in a java programming language and the application framework is the toolkit that all
applications use.
● These applications include the ones that comes with a phone like the home applications, or the phone
application.
● It includes applications written by Google, and it includes apps that will be written by you.
● So, all apps use the same framework and the same APIs.
● The final layer is Application.
● It includes the home applications: the contacts application, the browser, and apps.
● It is the most upper layer in Android Architecture.
● All the applications like camera, Google maps, browser, sms, calendars, contacts are native
applications. These applications works with end users with the help of application framework to
operate.
Advantages Of Android
● Universal Chargers: Android uses the standardised and universal Micro USB connection for its chargers.
● More Phone Choices Are a Clear Advantage of Android: Android users have several brands of phones to
choose from at different price levels. Different phones to choose from aren’t just an advantage in terms of
budget; each device can offer different functions and amenities.
● Removable Storage and Battery: many Android devices have expandable microSD card slots. Android
batteries are also removable, allowing for replacement of just the battery and not the entire phone.
● Better Hardware: The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, for example, out muscles the iPhone 6S Plus with a faster
processor, more RAM, increased battery capacity and better screen resolution.
● Infrared: Think wireless cross-device interaction, and more importantly, it can act as a TV remote. It’s not
necessarily the first Android pro you’d think of, but it definitely has its perks.
● Google Play Is More User-Friendly: Google Play, on the other hand, is a distinct advantage of Android
because it uses a more open web interface for app downloads and offers movies that are playable on any
device with a web browser.
Disadvantages
● Overheating: Android is a very heavy operating system and most apps tend to run in the
background even when closed by the user. Indulging in hardcore productivity tasks, hurts the
phone's battery life.
● Storage: With most phones having minimal internal storage, adding a micro SD card can be a
way out, but that move can hamper the phone's speed.
● Data safety: Fear of losing data forever always hovers over users. While there are several
apps that help backup data, none are tightly knit into the OS.
● Speed: Some phones tend to drastically lose efficiency if dozens of apps are installed. The
phone's efficiency is bound to take a hit as multiple programs run simultaneously in the
background at any given time.
● Half-baked Apps: Android apps are half-baked and also not malware-proof. This nullifies any
innovativeness the apps have to offer.
● Easy to customize: While Android's open-source nature makes it easy to customize any
Android device, the same aspect also turns out to be a negative trait as hackers don't have to
bang their heads for hours together to get through the system and play spoilsport.
Some basic questions:
Q1: Define Android.
Q2: What language does Android Applications use & what is the full form of API ?
Q3: Name any three features of Android ?
Q4: Name the components of Android Architecture.
Q5: Which layer of the Android Architecture works with the end users ?
Q6: Name any two Advantages & Disadvantages of Android.
Thank You.