Heard a lot about Android applications and its development?… let’s understand what it is. It is an operating system based on linux with java interface. It is the most preferred operating system and world’s most widely used smartphone platform. Conventionally it is used in mobile phones and tablet computers; now android operating system is being used for gaming consoles and smart televisions. Based on linux, android operating system attracts developer’s community to use the open source code for adding new features and applications for advanced users. In year 2012, 75% of market is captured by android based smartphones. Android application development market is growing with the increase in the number of Android users.
Users can acquire android applications through app stores like Google Play, Amazon Appstore etc. Users have to identify the application, select, download, install and then on regular basis update it. Android applications are always developed in java programming language using Android software development kit (SDK). SDK is a set of development tools that contains debugger, software libraries, a handset emulator, documentation, sample code and tutorials.
Android Operating System : Versions
Till date there are seven versions of Android operating system, however most of the applications and mobiles run on two versions viz. 2.3 (Gingerbread), 4.0.x (Ice Cream Sandwich). Latest version available in market is 4.2 (Jelly Bean), and many noted high end phones like Samsung Galaxy Note II run on android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). Any android application has to be compatible with above mentioned versions and with this they can cater different market segments.
Security wise also android operating system is having an edge over other mobile phone operating systems. Android operating system is enabled by sandbox where applications are run only in a scheduled part. All android applications ask for permission to access phone network, memory, installation.
Android phones have a treasure of applications ranging from games, comics, education, entertainment, finance, business, lifestyle, social media, sports, weather, travel and media loading etc. With these vast areas the open source developer community has lots of scope for developing various applications to cater to his huge market.
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