Minggu, 27 Mei 2012

Exactly What Is The Android Operating System?

By Erika Smith-Jones


The Android platform is a lot like the Windows operating system you use on your personal computer. But bear in mind, it is specifically developed to operate on small, low power gadgets like smartphones and tablets. It's designed to run as efficiently as possible while using as little power as possible. Android Incorporated received world wide recognition when in August 2005 Google acquired the company and then promptly announced that they will make the operating system Open Source to ensure anyone can use it without having to pay for it or pay out any royalties.

The Android OS is actually founded on a customized version of the Linux Kernel, Linux obviously already an established open sorce alternative to Windows and OSX. At its most basic level, an operating system provides the layer between the hardware and the software made to function upon it. In the case of Android it must be able to pass commands to the processor, microphone, camera, GPS, touchscreen display as well as keypad and so on. Various apps can then be developed to run on Android OS to make the unit functional.

The Android os is an advanced software program and totes a big punch in a small package. It relies on a lightweight relational database called SQLite to store and retrieve data for the numerous applications that you install. It also has built in play back capability for a wide selection of various media types like PNG, GIF, JPEG, BMP, WebM, H.263, H.264, MPEG, MP3, MIDI and WAV. Concerning connectivity it will tackle the latest technologies out of the box including GSM, IDEN, CDMA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and WiMax, SMS and MMS types of messaging rendering it the ideal platform for software programmers to produce innovative new software.

At the time of writing, Android has overtaken practically every other smartphone operating system around, like Apple's iOS which powers the iPhones and Blackberry's proprietary OS. Towards the end of 2010, approximately Thirty three million smartphones were bought which ran version of the Android OS and research analyst NPD Group now estimates that 50 percent of all smartphone purchases are for an Android smartphone.

The driving factor powering this swift uptake is the open source nature of the OS. As a result any smartphone, tablet or mobile device manufacturer on earth can get a hold of the source code, alter and customize it for their unique needs and then distribute it on devices designed by them. The royalty free aspect of Android has motivated many of the biggest names in the smartphone business like LG, Samsung, HTC and Motorola to develop desirable devices using Android.

Another reason for the huge demand of Android gadgets is that towards the end of 2010 there were above 200,000 applications readily available for download including games to tools, image editing to location services. Unlike Apple's iTunes store, a lot of Android apps cost nothing or have free versions, which in turn motivates people to use Android gadgets.




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