Founded in 2003, Android is an open source operating system. It is used on a variety of devices. It can be installed on a smartphone or a tablet. Android has become one of the most popular operating systems in the world. Currently, it has over 70% market share worldwide.
Android is free to use. Developers can create applications and monetize them. In return, Google charges $25 to distribute them on the Android Market. Currently, Android has more than 2.6 million applications. These apps can be downloaded from the web or sideloaded.
The Android application framework is an object-oriented application framework. The applications run on a virtual machine called the Dalvik virtual machine. The application’s component type instances are provided by the content provider. The invocation of components is managed through a system-wide broadcast mechanism.
Android provides an easy-to-use approach to application development for mobile devices. It includes memory management features. The Android OS suspends applications when not in use. It also provides features to save battery power.
Android’s home screen is composed of widgets, or informational displays. These widgets automatically update content. The widgets are customizable by the user through third-party apps in the Google Play store. In addition to widgets, the home screen features an app icon that serves as the primary navigation hub. The Android OS includes an application framework to discover applications over a high-bandwidth connection.
Android’s core is based on open source software called Linux. It also includes several open source libraries. These libraries provide a range of functions, including haptic feedback, multi-touch support, and bi-directional text.
