Key Features of the Android Platform
Mobile app developers, mobile device manufacturers, and cell operators consider the Android platform as the most promising platform due to the cost efficiency in its production values. The popularity of the Android platform is mainly due to its numerous intriguing features. Some key features of the Android platform are:
Integrated browser: Android provides an integrated Web browser, which is based on the open-source WebKit engine. SQLite: Android provides a powerful, fast, and lightweight relational database engine called SQLite. Android apps can store application data in a SQLite database. Media support: Android provides support for common audio, video, and still image formats such as MPEG4 SP, MP3, JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Wireless services: Android provides various options to connect to other devices. These
connectivity options include:
Bluetooth: An open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short wavelength radio transmissions. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi): A networking technology that does not require wires for devices to communicate with each other provided the devices are in the vicinity of an access point called a hotspot. Hotspots are commonly provided in public places, such as hotels, airports, coffee shops, and train stations to enable people to connect to the Internet through their devices. Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM): Android apps are mostly written in Java programming language and are compiled into byte codes. Android byte codes are interpreted at runtime by DVM. Application framework: Android’s application framework allows app developers to build rich and innovative apps. These apps can access the same APIs that are used by the core apps provided by the Android platform. In addition, the application framework allows developers to reuse components published by other apps. Rich development environment: The Android ADT bundle provides a rich development environment, which includes: x x x x x The Eclipse + ADT plugin The Android SDK tools The Android platform tools The Android platform The Android system image for the emulator
Android Versions
Android has undergone a number of updates since its original release. The updates to the base operating system fix the bugs in the previous versions and also add new features. Each new version of the Android operating system is developed under a code name, which is the name of a dessert. The various versions of Android launched in an order are shown in the following animation:
The following list describes the various Android versions: q
Android 1.5 (Cupcake): This version was released in April 2009. This was a significant version that showcased the power of the Android platform. It has been said that this version was supposed to be version 1.2 but Google decided to make it a major revision and made it 1.5 instead and gave it the dessert name, Cupcake. Android 1.6 (Donut): This version was released in September 2009. It provides some advanced features such as: x
x x x
Integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface Google turn-by-turn navigation feature Updated voice search Updated search experience Android 2.0/2.1 (Eclair): Android 2.0 was released in October 2009. In December 2009, it was released with a bug fix version 2.0.1. Android 2.1 was released in January 2010. Most people consider these versions as a single release. It has features such as Bluetooth 2.1 support, flash and digital zoom for the camera, multitouch support, and live wallpapers. Android 2.2 (Froyo): This version was released in May 2010. This version mainly improved speed by adopting the JavaScript just-in-time compiler engine from the Google browser, Chrome. It improved browser support by adding features such as Flash 10.1 plug-in support and animated GIF support. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread): This version was released in March 2011. The new features in Android 2.3 are: x x x x New UI theme with simpler color scheme Redesigned on-screen keyboard New copy and paste functionality Better power management
Better app management New downloads manager New camera app for accessing multiple cameras Support for extra large screens Android 3.0 (Honeycomb): This version was released as a beta version. It is specifically designed for mobile tablet devices, such as the new generation of Samsung Galaxy tabs and Motorola XOOM. Android 3.1 (Honeycomb): It is an updated version of Android 3.0. It includes new developer features, such as API for USB accessories and new input events ranging from mice, trackballs, and joysticks. Android 3.2 (Honeycomb): It is an updated version of Honeycomb. It includes features, such as media sync from SD card, compatibility zoom for fixed-sized apps, and extended API for managing screen support. Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich): It is a new version of Android, which provides a brand new look; however, it has some resemblance to Android Honeycomb. It provides various features, such as refined evolved UI, multitasking, resizable widgets, and lock screen actions. Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich): It is an updated version of Android 4.0. It includes enhancement in features, such as social stream API in contacts provider, calendar provider, home screen widgets, and spell checking. Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean): It is another newer version of Android, which provides several features, such as speedier interface, a new Camera app, offline voice typing, and significantly improved notifications. Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean): It is an updated version of Android 4.1, which provides an improved speed and simplicity of Android 4.1. It includes various new features, such as photo sphere, redesigned camera app, and new gesture typing keyboard.
Mobile app developers, mobile device manufacturers, and cell operators consider the Android platform as the most promising platform due to the cost efficiency in its production values. The popularity of the Android platform is mainly due to its numerous intriguing features. Some key features of the Android platform are:
Integrated browser: Android provides an integrated Web browser, which is based on the open-source WebKit engine. SQLite: Android provides a powerful, fast, and lightweight relational database engine called SQLite. Android apps can store application data in a SQLite database. Media support: Android provides support for common audio, video, and still image formats such as MPEG4 SP, MP3, JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Wireless services: Android provides various options to connect to other devices. These
connectivity options include:
Bluetooth: An open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using short wavelength radio transmissions. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi): A networking technology that does not require wires for devices to communicate with each other provided the devices are in the vicinity of an access point called a hotspot. Hotspots are commonly provided in public places, such as hotels, airports, coffee shops, and train stations to enable people to connect to the Internet through their devices. Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM): Android apps are mostly written in Java programming language and are compiled into byte codes. Android byte codes are interpreted at runtime by DVM. Application framework: Android’s application framework allows app developers to build rich and innovative apps. These apps can access the same APIs that are used by the core apps provided by the Android platform. In addition, the application framework allows developers to reuse components published by other apps. Rich development environment: The Android ADT bundle provides a rich development environment, which includes: x x x x x The Eclipse + ADT plugin The Android SDK tools The Android platform tools The Android platform The Android system image for the emulator
Android Versions
Android has undergone a number of updates since its original release. The updates to the base operating system fix the bugs in the previous versions and also add new features. Each new version of the Android operating system is developed under a code name, which is the name of a dessert. The various versions of Android launched in an order are shown in the following animation:
The following list describes the various Android versions: q
Android 1.5 (Cupcake): This version was released in April 2009. This was a significant version that showcased the power of the Android platform. It has been said that this version was supposed to be version 1.2 but Google decided to make it a major revision and made it 1.5 instead and gave it the dessert name, Cupcake. Android 1.6 (Donut): This version was released in September 2009. It provides some advanced features such as: x
x x x
Integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface Google turn-by-turn navigation feature Updated voice search Updated search experience Android 2.0/2.1 (Eclair): Android 2.0 was released in October 2009. In December 2009, it was released with a bug fix version 2.0.1. Android 2.1 was released in January 2010. Most people consider these versions as a single release. It has features such as Bluetooth 2.1 support, flash and digital zoom for the camera, multitouch support, and live wallpapers. Android 2.2 (Froyo): This version was released in May 2010. This version mainly improved speed by adopting the JavaScript just-in-time compiler engine from the Google browser, Chrome. It improved browser support by adding features such as Flash 10.1 plug-in support and animated GIF support. Android 2.3 (Gingerbread): This version was released in March 2011. The new features in Android 2.3 are: x x x x New UI theme with simpler color scheme Redesigned on-screen keyboard New copy and paste functionality Better power management
Better app management New downloads manager New camera app for accessing multiple cameras Support for extra large screens Android 3.0 (Honeycomb): This version was released as a beta version. It is specifically designed for mobile tablet devices, such as the new generation of Samsung Galaxy tabs and Motorola XOOM. Android 3.1 (Honeycomb): It is an updated version of Android 3.0. It includes new developer features, such as API for USB accessories and new input events ranging from mice, trackballs, and joysticks. Android 3.2 (Honeycomb): It is an updated version of Honeycomb. It includes features, such as media sync from SD card, compatibility zoom for fixed-sized apps, and extended API for managing screen support. Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich): It is a new version of Android, which provides a brand new look; however, it has some resemblance to Android Honeycomb. It provides various features, such as refined evolved UI, multitasking, resizable widgets, and lock screen actions. Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich): It is an updated version of Android 4.0. It includes enhancement in features, such as social stream API in contacts provider, calendar provider, home screen widgets, and spell checking. Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean): It is another newer version of Android, which provides several features, such as speedier interface, a new Camera app, offline voice typing, and significantly improved notifications. Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean): It is an updated version of Android 4.1, which provides an improved speed and simplicity of Android 4.1. It includes various new features, such as photo sphere, redesigned camera app, and new gesture typing keyboard.
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