Android (operating system)

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software, designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Android has been the best-selling OS worldwide on smartphones since 2011 and on tablets since 2013.

History

Android Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in October 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White to develop, in Rubin's words, "smarter mobile devices that are more aware of its owner's location and preferences". The early intentions of the company were to develop an advanced operating system for digital cameras, but it was redirected into the smartphone market, competing against Symbian and Windows Mobile. Google acquired Android Inc. on August 17, 2005, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Google.

Development

The first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released in September 2008. Android is developed by a consortium of developers known as the Open Handset Alliance, with Google leading the project. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked with the maintenance and further development of Android.

Features

Android's user interface is mainly based on direct manipulation, using touch gestures that correspond to real-world actions, like swiping, tapping, pinching, and reverse pinching to manipulate on-screen objects. The OS also includes an advanced virtual keyboard, a comprehensive library for 2D and 3D graphics, a database, and various other tools for developers. Android supports the use of multi-tasking, allowing multiple applications to run simultaneously.

Applications

Applications, or apps, on the Android operating system can be downloaded mainly from the Google Play Store, which has over three million apps as of 2021. Android apps are written in the Java programming language and use Android Software Development Kit (SDK).

Security

Android applications run in a sandbox, an isolated area of the system that does not have access to the rest of the system's resources, unless access permissions are explicitly granted by the user when the application is installed. However, there have been instances of malware and viruses in apps downloaded from the Google Play Store, prompting Google to increase security measures.

Versions

Android has seen a number of updates since its original release, each fixing bugs, adding new features, and improving performance. The versions are named in alphabetical order after sweet treats or desserts, such as Android Cupcake, Android Donut, Android Eclair, and so on, up to the latest versions.

Market Share

As of 2021, Android holds the largest share of the global smartphone operating system market, dominating over other operating systems such as iOS (developed by Apple Inc.).

Criticism and Issues

Despite its popularity, Android has faced criticism related to its security vulnerabilities, fragmentation issues, and privacy concerns. Fragmentation arises due to the vast array of hardware that Android runs on, which makes it challenging for developers to create apps that work seamlessly across all devices. Privacy concerns have been raised regarding the amount of personal information that can be accessed by apps.