Android technology is used in mobile computing devices and is among the fastest growing mobile technologies in use. Many business and personal users manage their work and personal communications on Android devices. The Android system provides users with a range of standard applications, with many more available for download and installation. Android devices facilitate communication, Internet, social media, business, productivity and leisure activities. Many companies target the Android platform with mobile apps, providing Android users with access to commercial and other services.
Operating System
Android is a mobile platform, with versions of the Android operating system running on millions of devices across the globe. Multiple versions of the Android operating system have been released since the platform launched. Users of devices with the Android system installed can access communication functions such as mobile telephony and text messaging. Android devices are also enabled for Internet access, either through wireless networks or through the mobile network in the case of smartphones. Since Android devices provide Internet access, users can utilise Web services such as email, Web browsing and social networking.
Devices
Android runs on mobile computing devices, particularly smartphones and tablet PCs. These devices use interaction through touch screens, in conjunction with buttons and sometimes trackballs, although this varies between devices. The screen sizes on Android devices vary from small smartphones up to larger tablets. Although the tablet market is increasing, Android is run primarily on smartphones, so Android devices typically facilitate telephony functions. Since Android runs on mobile devices, many apps for the platform are designed to facilitate mobile connectivity.
Applications
Devices running the Android system ship with a variety of basic applications pre-installed. These basic applications include those for making phone calls, sending text messages and managing contacts, as well as Internet applications for emailing and browsing the Web. Android users can also install additional apps from the Google Play store. Google Play is the official marketplace for Android apps. Some of the apps are free to download and install, with others available commercially at a fixed price in the user's currency. Google Play features a wide range of applications for business, entertainment, productivity, office and other organisational tasks.
Development
Software developers can create apps for the Android marketplace, releasing them through the Google Play store so that users can purchase them. Android developers write apps in the Java programming language, with certain application resources defined using XML markup. Some apps also involve other technologies such as SQLite for database development. To create Android apps, developers download and install the Android Developer Tools and SDK (Software Development Kit). The tools are designed to work with the Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Once an app is ready for deployment, the developer can export and publish it through the Google Play store, with various signing and versioning requirements that must be met before an app can be made available for download.
References
Android Developers: Welcome
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