Android application

Closed Posted Feb 14, 2016 Paid on delivery
Closed

An Android™ phone, sometimes called a Droid™ phone, is a mobile telephone that uses the Google-developed Android™ operating system. This operating system has become a popular option in recent years for so-called "smart phones," because developers and manufacturers may freely customize it to their specific needs. This customization means that different Android™ phones can have widely varying user interfaces. Most smart phones — including those using competing operating systems — offer similar overall capabilities, however, including Internet browsing, personal information management, video streaming, and access to a large repository of freeware and payware applications.

Technical Specifications and Operating System

On the technical side, an Android™ phone runs the Android™ operating system, key applications, and middleware. It is Linux® kernel-based, and is written in the C language. Android™ runs applications that are written primarily in the Java® language.

Android™ phones are considered revolutionary in some circles because of the open source structure of the basic firmware. All developers, whether professional or hobbyists, are encouraged to write programs and applications for the operating system, and contribute to the evolving Android™ project by submitting them to Google's Play Store™, a closed source application for Android™ phones. Users may then choose to download and use the applications on their phones by accessing the application library via their handsets.

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Multitasking

An Android™ phone can run multiple applications at the same time in the background, making multitasking easier. This makes the functionality of the phone more fluid than some competing platforms, although the extent of this capability depends on the hardware of the individual phone. Some handsets use multicore processors, which are more useful for "power users" who need their phones to run multiple simultaneous operations.

Non-Proprietary Approach

Some comparable devices using other operating systems are governed by strict proprietary rules. Developers interested in writing applications for the iPhone™, for example, may not be permitted to create programs that closely mirror applications owned by Apple, such as iTunes™. All applications must be approved by Apple before they are permitted to appear in the Apple App Store™. This is not the case with applications for Android™ phones, which are developed under the auspices of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium that encourages the use and advancement of open source software for mobile phones.

Another important distinction of the Android™ platform is that it is not tied to a specific hardware manufacturer. Any manufacturer interested in producing its own version of an Android™ phone is welcome to use the operating system. The result is that many competing cellphone companies now use this platform to power their mobile phones and to market their devices.

Historical Background

Initially, Google partnered with the High Tech Computer Corporation (now HTC Corporation) to build the first mobile phone to run the Android™ platform, known as the G1™ in the United States. In 2008, T-Mobile premiered the G1™ Android™ phone to the American public. Since then, dozens of manufacturers have brought hundreds of phones with this operating system to market.

Android Mobile App Development

Project ID: #9649770

About the project

5 proposals Remote project Active 7 years ago