COMPANY/                 Google Inc, Open Handset
DEVELOPER                Alliance

PROGRAM IN             C (Core), Java (UI), C++

WORKING                 Current
STATE
           
SOURCE MODEL       Open Source

INITIAL RELEASE      20 September 2008

LATEST STABLE        4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich),
RELEASE                  16 December 2011

PACKAGE                 Android Market/ APK
MANAGER

SUPPORTED             ARM,MIPS, X86
PLATFORMS

KERNEL TYPE           Monolithic (Linux Kernel)

DEFAULT USER         Graphical

LICENSE                   Apache License 2.0
                                Linux Kernel Patches under
                                (GNU) GPL v2



DESIGN

Android consist of a kernel based on the Linux kernel, with middleware, libraries and APIs written in C and application software running on an application framework which includes Java-compatible libraries based on Apache Harmony. Android uses the Dalvik Virtual machine with just-in-time compilation to run Dalvik dex-code (Dalvik Executable), which is usually tramslated from Java bytecode.

FEATURES

Current Features and Specifications:

Handset Layouts

The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library based on OpenGl ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts

Storage

SQLite, a lightweight relational database is used for data storage purposes

Connectivity
      
Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/ EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC and Wimax.

Messaging

SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and now Android Cloud To Device Messaging (C2DM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging service.

Multiple language Support (Android support multiple
                                         languages)

Web Browser

The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source Webkit layout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8 JavaScript Engine. The browser scores 100/100 on theAcid3 test on Android 4.0, however it does have rendering issues.

Media Support

Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: WebM, H.263, H.264 (in 3GP or MP4 container), MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB (in 3GP container), AAC, HE-AAC (in MP4 or 3GP container) MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP.

Streaming Media Support

RTP/RTSP streaming (3GPP PSS, ISMA), HTML progressive download (HTML5<video>tag). Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP) and HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by the RealPlayer for Android and by the operating system in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).

Additional Hardware Support

Android can use video/still cameras, touchscreens, GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, dedicated gaming controls, proximity and pressure sensors, thermometers, accelerated 2D bit blits (with hardware orientation, scaling, pixel format conversion) and accelerated 3D graphics.

Multi-touch

Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in handsets such as the HTC Hero. The feature was originally disabled at the kernel level (possibility to avoid infringing Apple's patents on touch-screen technology at that time).


Bluetooth

Supports A2DP, AVRCP, sending files (OPP), accessing the phonebook (PBAP), voice dialing and sending contacts between phones. Keyboard mouse and joystick (HID) support is availablein Android 3.1+, and in earlier versionsthrough manufacturer customizations and third party applications.

Video Calling

Android does not support native video calling, but some handsets have acustomized version of the operating system that supports it, either via the UMTS network (like the Samsung Galaxy ) or over IP. Video calling through Google Talk is available in Android 2.3.4 and later. Gingerbread allows Nexus S to place internet calls with a SIP account.This allows for enhanced VoIP dialing to other SIP accounts and even phone numbers. Skype 2.1 offers video calling in Android 2.3, including front camera support.

Mulitasking of applications support

Voice Based Features

Google search through voice has been available since initial release. Voice actions for calling, texting, navigation, etc. are supported on Android 2.2 onwards.

Tethering

Android supports tethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless/wired Wi-Fi hotspot. Before Android 2.2 this was supported by the third party applications or manufacturer customizations

Screen Capture

Android supports capturing a screenshot by pressing the powerand volume-down buttons at the same time. Before Android 4.0 screenshots were available through manufacturer and third party customizations, or by using PC connections (DDMS developer's tool)


VERSION HISTORY

Android has seen a number of updates since its original release, each fixing bugs and adding new features. each version named, in alphabetical order, after a dessert.

Recent Releases

• 2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste features, improved gaming performance, added SIP support (VoIP calls), and Near Field Communication (NFC)

• 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 February 2011.

• 3.1 Honeycom, released in May 2011, added support for extra input devices, USB host mode for transferring information directlym 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 smartphones 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 NFC. Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich is the latest Android version that is available to phones. The source code of Android 4.0.1 was released on November 14, 2011.

Apple iOS (for iPhone 4S and iPad2) coming for the next articles.

Source: Wikipedia
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