How Android versions are developed...?

• The version history of the Android OS began with the release of Android 1.0 in September 2008. 
• Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google and the Open Handset Alliance, and has seen a number of updates since its original release.
• These updates to the base operating system typically fix bugs and add new features. 
• Since April 2009, each Android version has been developed under a code name based on a dessert item. 
• These versions have released in alphabetical order: Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb and Ice Cream Sandwich. 

ANDROID VERSION CATEGORIES

Android 1.0 

Android 1.1

1.5 Cupcake

1.6 Donut

2.0/2.1 Eclair

2.2.x Froyo

2.3.x Gingerbread 

3.x Honeycomb

4.x Ice Cream Sandwich

iPhone Users Vs. Droid Users Infographic

Things people should know about Android vs. iPhone

How Android was started...?

HISTORY OF ANDROID

What updates do you think were most influential? 

At what point did you decide that Android was or wasn’t the right OS for you?

Which is best...?

Latest Android Phone released by Samsung

Why android is so successful...?

The resounding success of the Android OS gets clear when you look at the number of sold Android devices, its market share or the increasing number of Android applications. But what are the reasons for this great expansion of Android? 

Here are the 4 matters that I believe are most important for this:

- It’s Google -

There’s no doubt that Android wouldn’t be as popular and successful as it is if Google hadn’t bought Android Inc. in 2005. The fact that Google – a monopoly in the matter of technical solutions – is at the bottom of Android has multiple meanings:

• Google has a lot of money to invest in the Android project and of course it does support the development with huge amounts of money, although Google doesn’t directly profit from the sales of Android phones. The plan is to profit from mobile advertising – the income from mobile searches is on the track to become the most precious source of growth for Google over the next years.
• In addition, Google has expertise: Google’s experienced staff can expedite the development of Android and contribute to create a stable, intuitive and inspirational mobile operating system.

 - It’s Open Source -

    Are you using Firefox at the moment? If you are, then you probably know you are using open source software – this type of software has some major advantages:

• Open Source software is always free – just like Android and Firefox.
• People from all over the world can contribute with their expertise and help to improve the project.
• Everyone can modify the source to personalize the software and everyone can create extensions – for example new apps for Android; If you give people the possibility to contribute to a useful project they like, many of them will use this chance – the best example is Wikipedia.

In the case of Android, not only the platform itself is free for everybody, but also many of the apps are freely available over the Android Market. But apart from the advantages for users, the fact that Android is open source is also very pleasant for mobile phone manufacturers – they don’t have to pay for the Android platform. This is another important reason for the success of Android. If you had the decision between an operating that costs you a lot of money and another one that’s as good and very favored – which one would you choose?

- It’s Intuitive and Comprehensive -

The first two reasons had no relevance if Android wouldn’t simply be appealing – but it is. Android users cherish the intuitive and modern user interface, the great palette of apps, the good usability and its functional range.

Each Android release usually comes along with improvements of the usability, accessibility and performance as well as augmented functionality. The Android Market already counts 300000+ applications (October 2011) with strong tendency to rise.

- It’s Affordable -

Sure, you can pay 25,000 or more for a modern Android phone but there are also alternatives for smaller pockets:

• The HTC Wildfire is one of the bestsellers among Android phones. For about 15000 you get a lightweight but high-performance phone deploying Android 2.1 from the most popular Android phone manufacturer.
• The LG Optimus V is a popular medium-class Android phone that is available for not much more than 10000.
• The Samsung Galaxy S II is the phone the Korean firm deems the successor to its best smartphone so far. With a 1.2GHz processor, super-slim chassis and it costs around 25,000.

As you can see, an Android phone can definitely be a cost-saving alternative to an Apple iPhone – provided that you know which phone to choose.

How Android influences the Market...?

Android vs. Iphone:

     The battle between Android and iPhone has gone far beyond imaginations in the last 8-10 months, with Android gaining popularity day-by-day and now the recent jump in market share has given it a significant boost. 

   Recent status show that it has taken over 35 percent market share and are second to Research in motion (RIM). This is not so amazing but very realistic.

     In the recent articles I would try to highlight some of the reasons why it is gaining so much popularity and why it is now on the verge of becoming the market leader. 

    First i would just give a brief comparison of Android and iPhone then will move on to the key reasons of the leap beyond imagination.

      Some research groups like NPD Group has published their sales report in which the latest number crunching has shown RIM’s BlackBerry with 36% market share, followed by Android OS (28%) and Apple at 21%.

This chart shows the sharp growth in Google Android phones among consumers

 compared to other smartphone operating systems.

Market Shares:

Smartphone operating systems' market share:

How unique is Android...?

From the past few years, we had many mobile OS like the Symbian, Windows Mobile OS, Mac OS X and Linux based Palm Nova, etc, already flooding the market and fragmenting it. 
         Do you think is another OS required on behalf of these OS platforms?
If we are talking about something very radical, iPhone took the interest of the customers in most of the aspects. It took the market by storm with its interesting features.
Everyone expects something new and better always.
With all these in the market, isn’t android late?

- So what will be the interest in people about android now?

What android actually is...?

• Android is a software stack for mobile devices 
• Interestingly, it is not yet another OS, but component based OS
• The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.
• Android is an operating system based on Linux with a Java programming interface.
• Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
• Android was developed by a small startup company that was purchased by Google Inc., and Google continues to update the software.