The buzz was definitely deafening. With units running on Android sold at nearly 32.9 million (as reported by Reuters), Android had definitely surpassed its contemporaries.
Launched in 2008, like a thief in the night, Android crept slowly yet gallantly as it conquers its place for the top smart phone operating system.
Although Android has become the preferred choice of most of the key players in the mobile world, I am surprised how a number of people still know little about it. Android is basically a mobile operating system based on the modified version of “Linux kernel” (also an operating system). Android was initially developed by Android Inc. which was later on bought by Google way back in 2005 and together with Open Alliance Handset, Android was further developed and finally released in 2007.
Contrary to what others may have thought, Google does not make handsets; hence, Android is not a phone. It is, however, the preferred operating system of most mobile companies for their cellphones, tablets and netbooks. At present, since Android is an open platform, it has a large populace of developers creating or updating mobile “apps” for improved function and user experience. Users can browse and download these “apps” in the Android “Market” which is pre-installed on most Android devices.
Since its first release, Android operating system has undergone a number of updates. Allow me to take you a few years back at Android’s sweet beginnings starting with Android 1.0 Angel Cake. Released in September 2008, Angel Cake presented with creativity in widgets, UI designs and apps. Back then its key features mainly included a Home Display with widgets, applications and shortcuts, regular phone functions, a web browser (WebKit), access to e-mail, a media player and other basic mobile applications such as calendar, clock, camera, etc. Immediately the year after at February 2009, Android 1.1 Battenberg was released. Features were improved as “bugs and glitches” from the previous version were ironed out.
As fast as lightning, 2 months later (April 2009), Android released its 1.5 version called Cupcake and things started to get serious. With Cupcake’s release, there was an obvious leap with regards to updates. The most significant of which included on screen keyboard with predictive text and wireless streaming of music (A2DP) via Stereo bluetooth. Video recording was added as well.
Users can now upload videos and pictures to You Tube and Picassa. Donut (Android 1.6) was fully baked by September 2009 and Google Maps with turn -by-turn navigation was its key feature. Shopping on the “Market” also became much more enjoyable. Although Eclair (Android 2.0/2.1) didn’t create much of a buzz, its refurbished UI, better keyboard and browser were well noted. Features like live wallpapers, flash support for its camera likewise contributed to Android’s developmental milestones.
A healthy serving of Frozen Yogurt came in next with Android 2.2 “FroYo”. Although yogurt may be low on calories, FroYo did score high by introducing USB and WiFi tethering, Flash 10.1, auto-updating of apps, LED flash for video, data backup and restore, etc.. Gingerbread (Android 2.3) was released just in time for Christmas and with it came improved power management, internet calling and use of multiple camera on a device, easy access to application manager just to name a few.
Bear in mind, of course, for every update comes improvement in overall speed and performance.
Now comes the latest, freshest heavenly Honeycomb Android 3.0. Honeycomb can support larger screen devices; hence it is the “made for tablet” version. It features an entirely new user interface, its very own “Google eBooks”, 3D real time Google Maps and an updated web browser.
It can now support high-end console games and its keyboard has been redesigned for ease and accuracy in typing.
source: mb.com.ph
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