ANDROID OPERATING SYSTEM

Introduction:

Android is a Linux based operating system for mobile devices such as smart
phones and tablet computers. It is developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google.

Google purchased the initial developer of the software, Android Inc., in 2005. The
unveiling of the Android distribution in 2007 was announced with the founding of the Open
Handset Alliance, a consortium of 84 hardware, software, and telecommunication companies
devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. Google releases the Android code
as open-source, under the Apache License. The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked
with the maintenance and further development of Android.

Android was listed as the best-selling smart phone platform worldwide in Q4 2010
by Canalys with over 200 million Android devices in use by November 2011. According to
Google's Andy Rubin, as of December 2011 there are over 700,000 Android devices activated
every day.

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Versions:

Android has seen a number of updates since its original release, each fixing bugs and adding new
features. Each version is named, in alphabetical order, after a dessert.

Recent releases

 2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface, improved the soft keyboard and copy/paste
features, improved gaming performance, added SIP support (VoIP calls), and added support
for Near Field Communication.

 3.0 Honeycomb was a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and
introduces many new user interface features, support for multi-core processors, hardware
acceleration for graphics and full system encryption. The first device featuring this version,
the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.

3.1 Honeycomb, released in May 2011, added support for extra input devices, USB host
mode for transferring information directly from cameras and other devices, and the Google
Movies and Books apps.

3.2 Honeycomb, released in July 2011, added optimization for a broader range of screen
sizes, new "zoom-to-fill" screen compatibility mode, loading media files directly from SD
card, and an extended screen support API. Huawei MediaPad is the first 7 inch tablet to use
this version

4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, announced on October 19, 2011, brought Honeycomb features to
smartphones and added new features including facial recognition unlock, network data usage
monitoring and control, unified social networking contacts, photography enhancements,
offline email searching, app folders, and information sharing using NFC. Android 4.0.3 Ice
Cream Sandwich is the latest Android version that is available to phones. The source code of
Android 4.0.1 was released on November 14, 2011

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Design:

Android consists of a kernel based on the Linux kernel,

with middleware, libraries and APIs written in C and application software running on
an application framework which includes Java-compatible libraries based on Apache Harmony.
Android uses the Dalvik virtual machine with just-in-time compilation to run Dalvik dex-code
(Dalvik Executable), which is usually translated from Javabytecode.

Linux

Android's kernel is based on the Linux kernel and has further architecture changes by
Google outside the typical Linux kernel development cycle. Android does not have a native X
Window Systemnor does it support the full set of standard GNU libraries, and this makes it
difficult to port existing Linux applications or libraries to Android.

Certain features that Google contributed back to the Linux kernel, notably a power
management feature called wakelocks, were rejected by mainline kernel developers, partly
because kernel maintainers felt that Google did not show any intent to maintain their own
code. Even though Google announced in April 2010 that they would hire two employees to work
with the Linux kernel community, Greg Kroah-Hartman, the current Linux kernel maintainer for
the -stable branch, said in December 2010 that he was concerned that Google was no longer
trying to get their code changes included in mainstream Linux. Some Google Android developers
hinted that "the Android team was getting fed up with the process", because they were a small
team and had more urgent work to do on Android.

However, in September 2010 Linux kernel developer Rafael J. Wysocki added a patch
that improved the mainline Linux wakeup events framework. He said that Android device drivers
that use wakelocks can now be easily merged into mainline Linux, but that Android's
opportunistic suspend features should not be included in the mainline kernel. In 2011 Linus
Torvalds said that "eventually Android and Linux would come back to a common kernel, but it
will probably not be for four to five years."

In December 2011 Greg Kroah-Hartman announced the start of the Android Mainlining
Project, which aims to put some Android drivers, patches and features back into the Linux
kernel, starting in Linux 3.3.

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Features:

Handset layouts
The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D graphics library based
on OpenGL ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts.
Storage
SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes.
Messaging
SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and
now Android Cloud To Device Messaging (C2DM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging
service.
Multiple language support
Android supports multiple languages.

Web browser
The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source WebKit layout
engine, coupled with Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. The browser scores 100/100 on
the Acid3 test on Android 4.0, however it does have some rendering issues.
Java support
While most Android applications are written in Java, there is no Java Virtual Machine in
the platform and Java byte code is not executed. Java classes are compiled into Dalvik
executables and run on Dalvik, a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Android
and optimized for battery-powered mobile devices with limited memory and CPU. J2ME support
can be provided via third-party applications.
Streaming media support
RTP/RTSP streaming (3GPP PSS, ISMA), HTML progressive download (HTML5
<video> tag). Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP) and HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by
the Flash plugin. Apple HTTP Live Streaming is supported by RealPlayer for Android, and by
the operating system in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).

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Additional hardware support
Android can use video/still
cameras, touchscreens, GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, dedicated
gaming controls, proximity and pressure sensors, thermometers, accelerated 2D bit blits (with
hardware orientation, scaling, pixel format conversion) and accelerated 3D graphics.

Multi-touch
Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in
handsets such as the HTC Hero. The feature was originally disabled at the kernel level (possibly
to avoid infringing Apple's patents on touch-screen technology at the time). Google has since
released an update for the Nexus One and the Motorola Droid which enables multi-touch
natively.

Bluetooth
Supports A2DP, AVRCP, sending files (OPP), accessing the phone book (PBAP), voice
dialing and sending contacts between phones. Keyboard, mouse and joystick (HID) support is
available in Android 3.1+, and in earlier versions through manufacturer customizations and third-
party applications.

Video calling
Android does not support native video calling, but some handsets have a customized
version of the operating system that supports it, either via the UMTS network (like the Samsung
Galaxy S) or over IP. Video calling through Google Talk is available in Android 2.3.4 and later.
Gingerbread allows Nexus S to place Internet calls with a SIP account. This allows for enhanced
VoIP dialing to other SIP accounts and even phone numbers. Skype 2.1 offers video calling in
Android 2.3, including front camera support.

Multitasking
Multitasking of applications is available.

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Voice based features
Google search through voice has been available since initial release. Voice actions for
calling, texting, navigation, etc. are supported on Android 2.2 onwards.

Tethering
Android supports tethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless/wired Wi-Fi
hotspot. Before Android 2.2 this was supported by third-party applications or manufacturer
customizations.

Screen capture
Android natively supports the ability to capture a screenshot by method of pressing both
the power and volume-down buttons at the same time on an Android device. This native support
was first included within the Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update, which is first seen on
the Galaxy Nexus smartphone. Previously, Android did not feature native support for screen
capturing which would have likely been due to security concerns. Furthermore, prior
manufacturer and third-party customizations as well as using a PC connection (DDMS
developer's tool) were the only known methods of capturing a screenshot on Android.

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How to Update Android OS:

The updating process is made up of the following sub-process:

Data Backup
Most of the time, updating the Android OS will take place smoothly and everything
remains where it is. But sometimes, things can go wrong, so avoid crying over split and lost data,
apps, game data etc. later. Prior to updating, make a backup of your data first.

Press the HOME button and then touch or tap Settings. Look for the Privacy option,
then Back up my data & settings. There should be a check box or button to enable this feature.
This option creates an automatic backup of your data and settings. But for this to work, you need
a microSD card or memory card, as the backup file will be created over there. Also the data and
how this feature works depends on the make of the Android phone you are using. When a rest or
update is carried out, you will be asked if you want to restore the data from this file.

Check for apps in the Android Market. There are a lot of free and paid backup apps, that can
do the backing up for you. Such apps will allow you to choose if you want only data, or
applications or both, to be backed up and where. There are different apps based on specific
backup options like backing up only SMS's or pictures. Just make sure you know where the
backup file is stored.

In the case of your phone's contacts information and numbers, the best way to make a
backup is to sync your Android phone with a Gmail account. If new contacts are added, through
the auto sync, they are present in your Gmail account. So syncing can make Gmail, your one-
stop location for all your contact information.
With data and information, the more important the data is to you, the more steps you have
to take to ensure its safety. You can always manually backup media data files such as music,
images or pictures, ringtones etc on a PC. With apps downloaded from the Android Market, fell
safe, they will remain installed and ready for use, even after a system update.

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Automatic Updation:
This is a simple and very convenient "how to upgrade Android OS" method. Basically, your
Android phone lets you know about an update and you can choose to update to the new OS
version or not. You will require an Internet connection, to receive an update message and to
carry out the update procedure.

1. On your phone's screen, a Install system software update dialog box or message should
appear, either on the main screen itself or in the upper corner
2. Tap the Install now option, then tap OK
3. Let the updating process take place uninterrupted. Try to connect to a secure and
continuous Internet source, like a Wi-Fi network, to ensure a smooth connection for the
updation process.
4. You should see a message like "Your phone has been updated successfully to version
x.xx.xxx.x..". Once complete, the phone should reset itself and restart. Let it do so, and
congrats, you now have an updated Android OS!

This feature of receiving updates as they become available does not always work.
Sometimes, everyone around you can get an update message except you. This is due to the fact,
that some Android updates are dependent on carrier or service provider, and the brand and model
of the Android phone. So the update to the new OS version is there, you just haven't got the
message yet.

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Manual Updation:
If you do not want to wait for the auto update software message or never receive it, time to
pester your phone. Steps on to how to update an Android device manually include:

1. Press the Home button on your phone

2. Press the Menu button
3. Scroll through your Menu options and tap Settings
4. Scroll through the Settings options and look for About phone. Tap on it.
5. The version and build number of the current running OS will be displayed. Tap
the System software updates option.
6. The OS starts searching for any updates. An Internet connection is required for this to
take place.
7. If there is no update available, then "Up to Date" is displayed.
8. If there is an update available, the software model and build is displayed, tap on Install
Now. Let the updating process take place. The phone will restart when it is done and
voila! You now have an updated Android OS on your phone.

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Advantages:

 Open - Android allows you to access core mobile device functionality through
standard API calls.

 All applications are equal - Android does not differentiate between the phone's basic
and third-party applications -- even the dialer or home screen can be replaced.

 Breaking down boundaries - Combine information from the web with data on the
phone -- such as contacts or geographic location -- to create new user experiences.

 Fast and easy development - The SDK contains what you need to build and run
Android applications, including a true device emulator and advanced debugging tools.

Disadvantages:

 Security - Making source code available to everyone inevitably invites the attention
of black hat hackers.

 Open Source - A disadvantage of open-source development is that anyone can

scrutinize the source code to find vulnerabilities and write exploits.

 Login - Platform doesn't run on an encrypted file system and has a vulnerable log-
in.

 Incompetence - Google’s dependence on hardware and carrier partners puts the final
product out of their control.

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 Conclusion & Future Scope:

Android has been criticized for not being all open-source software despite what was
announced by Google. Parts of the SDK are proprietary and closed source, and some
believe this is so that Google can control the platform. Software installed by end-users must
be written in Java, and will not have access to lower level device APIs. This provides end-
users with less control over their phone's functionality than other free and open source
phone platforms, such as OpenMoko.

With all upcoming applications and mobile services Google Android is stepping into the
next level of Mobile Internet. Android participates in many of the successful open source
projects. That is, architect the solution for participation and the developers will not only
come but will play well together. This is notable contrast with Apple and other companies,
where such architecture of participation is clearly belated.

The first Android based official devices may well be launched sometime in the early half
of 2009. Obviously, that's an age away when it comes to handset design, and Android may
well find itself competing against the forthcoming Nokia touch screen phones and maybe
even the iPhone 2.

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Reference:

1. http://www.android.com - Android Official Webpage

2. http://code.google.com/android/ - Official Android Google Code Webpage
3. http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/ - Open Handset Alliance Webpage
4. http://www.androidwiki.com – Android Wiki

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