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Android (operating system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google Android and is based upon a modified version of the Linux kernel. It was initially developed by Android Inc. (a firm purchased by Google) and later positioned in the Open Handset Alliance.[4] According to NPD Group, unit sales for Android OS smartphones ranked first among all smartphone OS handsets sold in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2010, at 33%.[5][6] BlackBerry OS is second at 28%, and iOS is ranked third with 22%.[7] Android has a large community of developers writing application programs (apps) that extend the functionality of the devices. There are currently over 70,000 apps available for Android with some estimates saying 100,000 have been submitted,[8] which makes it the second most popular mobile development environment.[9] Developers write managed code in the Java language, controlling the device via Google- developed Java libraries.[10] The unveiling of the Android distribution on 5 November 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 78 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.[11][12] Google released most of the Android code under the Apache License, a free software and open source license.[13] Android 2.2 Company / Google Inc., The Android operating system software stack consists of Java applications running on a Java based object oriented developer Open Handset Alliance application framework on top of Java core libraries running Programmed C (core),[1] C++ (some third party on a Dalvik virtual machine featuring JIT compilation. in libraries), Java (UI) Libraries written in C include the surface manager, Working state Current OpenCore[14] media framework, SQLite relational database management system, OpenGL ES 2.0 3D graphics API, Source model Free and open source software WebKit layout engine, SGL graphics engine, SSL, and Bionic Initial release 21 October 2008 libc. The Android operating system consists of 12 million lines of code including 3 million lines of XML, 2.8 million Latest stable 2.2.1 (Froyo) / 23 September lines of C, 2.1 million lines of Java, and 1.75 million lines of release 2010[2] [15] C++. Supported ARM, MIPS, Power Architecture, platforms x86 1 of 25 10/5/2010 7:00 AM Android (operating system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) Kernel type Monolithic (modified Linux kernel) Default user Graphical 1 History 1.1 Acquisition by Google interface 1.2 Open Handset Alliance License Apache 2.0 and GPLv2[3] 1.3 Licensing 1.4 Update history Official website android.com (http://www.android.com/) 2 Features 3 Hardware running Android 4 Software development 4.1 Software development kit 4.2 App Inventor for Android 4.3 Android Developer Challenge 4.4 Google applications 4.5 Third party applications 4.6 Languages (locales) 4.7 Native code 4.8 Community-based firmware 5 Marketing 5.1 Logos 5.2 Typeface 5.3 Market share 5.4 Android OS usage share 6 Restrictions and issues 6.1 Linux compatibility 6.2 Networking issues 6.3 Issues concerning application development 6.4 Protocols 6.5 Time zones 6.6 Claimed infringement of copyrights and patents 6.7 Unicode 7 See also 8 References 9 Bibliography 10 External links Acquisition by Google In July 2005, Google acquired Android, Inc., a small startup company based in Palo Alto, California, USA.[16] Android's co-founders who went to work at Google included Andy Rubin (co-founder of Danger),[17] Rich Miner (co-founder of Wildfire Communications, Inc.),[18] Nick Sears (once VP at T-Mobile),[19] and Chris White (headed design and interface development at WebTV).[20] At the time, little was known about the 2 of 25 10/5/2010 7:00 AM Android (operating system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) functions of Android, Inc. other than that they made software for mobile phones.[16] This began rumors that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market. At Google, the team led by Rubin developed a mobile device platform powered by the Linux kernel which they marketed to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, upgradable system. It was reported that Google had already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it was open to various degrees of cooperation on their part.[21][22][23] More speculation that Google would be entering the mobile-phone market came in December 2006.[24] Reports from the BBC and The Wall Street Journal noted that Google wanted its search and applications on mobile phones and it was working hard to deliver that. Print and online media outlets soon reported rumors that Google was developing a Google- branded handset.[25] More speculation followed reporting that as Google was defining technical specifications, it was showing prototypes to cell phone manufacturers and network operators. In September 2007, InformationWeek covered an Evalueserve study reporting that Google had filed several patent applications in the area of mobile telephony.[26][27] Open Handset Alliance Main article: Open Handset Alliance On the 5th of November 2007, the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of several companies which "Today's announcement is more ambitious than any include Texas Instruments, Broadcom Corporation, single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating Google, HTC, Intel, LG, Marvell Technology Group, about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models." Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile was unveiled with the goal to [4] develop open standards for mobile devices. Along with Eric Schmidt, Google Chairman/CEO[4] the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, the OHA also unveiled their first product, Android, a mobile device platform built on the Linux kernel version 2.6.[4] On 9 December 2008, it was announced that 14 new members would be joining the Android project, including PacketVideo, ARM Holdings, Atheros Communications, Asustek Computer Inc, Garmin Ltd, Softbank, Sony Ericsson, Toshiba Corp, and Vodafone Group Plc.[28][29] Licensing With the exception of brief update periods, Android has been available as open source since 21 October 2008. Google published the entire source code (including network and telephony stacks)[30] under an Apache License.[31] With the Apache License, vendors can add proprietary extensions without submitting those back to the open source community. Update history Android has seen a number of updates since its original release. These updates to the base operating system typically fix bugs and add new features. And generally, each update to the Android operating system is developed under a code name based on a dessert item. 3 of 25 10/5/2010 7:00 AM Android (operating system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) 1.1 Released 9 February 2009 On 30 April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) update for Android was released.[32][33] There were several new features and UI updates included in the 1.5 update:[34] 1.5 (Cupcake) Ability to record and watch videos through camcorder mode Based on Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone Linux Kernel A new soft-keyboard with text-prediction 2.6.27 Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP support Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance New widgets and folders that can populate the Home screens Animated screen transitions On 15 September 2009, the 1.6 (Donut) SDK was released.[36][37] Included in the update were:[35] An improved Android Market experience An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface Gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion 1.6 (Donut) Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native Based on applications, including the ability to dial contacts Linux Kernel [35] Updated search experience to allow searching bookmarks, history, contacts, and the 2.6.29 web from the home screen Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine Support for WVGA screen resolutions Speed improvements in searching and camera applications Gesture framework and GestureBuilder development tool On 26 October 2009 the 2.0 (Eclair) SDK was released.[39] Among the changes were:[40] Optimized hardware speed Support for more screen sizes and resolutions Revamped UI Current features and specifications:[61][62][63] New Browser UI and HTML5 support New contact lists Better contrast ratio for backgrounds 2.0/2.1 (Eclair) Improved Google Maps 3.1.2 Based on Microsoft Exchange support Linux Kernel Built in flash support for Camera 2.6.29[38] Digital Zoom MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events[41] Improved virtual keyboard Bluetooth 2.1 Live Wallpapers The 2.0.1 SDK was released on 3 December 2009.[42] The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.[43] [2] [47] 4 of 25 10/5/2010 7:00 AM Android (operating system) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics Handset library, 3D graphics library based on OpenGL ES 2.0 layouts specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts. SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for Storage data storage purposes Android supports connectivity technologies including Connectivity GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and WiMAX. SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and now Android Messaging Cloud to Device Messaging Framework (C2DM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging service.