Android – A technological advancement for Mobile devices

Android is a software stack which is well known for its extensive functionalities and open development platform. Android is the best selling SmartPhone platform which includes an Operating system, Middleware and Key Applications. Android Inc. was started by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White in 2003 and in August 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. as its wholly owned subsidiary. Android is a popular platform for Smartphones and various versions of Android have been released starting from beta, 1.0, 1.1, 1.5 (Cupcake), 1.6 (Donut), 2.0 / 2.1 (Eclair), 2.2 (Froyo), 2.3 (Gingerbread), 3.0/3.1 (Honeycomb) and Ice Cream Sandwich which is an upcoming version.


Features of Latest Android 3.0/3.1 (Honeycomb) -

• New Virtual and Holographic user Interface
• Support for multitasking
• Improved system bar and soft navigation buttons
• Capability to view images, gallery in full view and thumbnail mode
• Effective interface to organize and locate contacts
• Multi-core processing capability
• Video chat by using Google talk
• Improved browser with chrome like browsing
• Multi Pane view by dividing screen in multiple segments

The next version of Android is Ice Cream Sandwich which is expected to be released in Q4 2011.
This will have features of both Android Gingerbread and Honeycomb and also improve the Google TV interface.

Additionally, the features which are being expected in Android Ice Cream are like:

1. Cloud integration for applications
2. Cloud music
3. Support for dual cores
4. Expandable widgets
5. Advanced framework
6. Android devices working as USB host.

Google announced that it has reached 2,00,000 users for Android. Recently, Google has improved the “Android Market” (an online application store by Google) and removed the navigability issues that were being faced by users. Also it has filtered sections as per popularity like top paid, top free, top new paid etc. and also added other features like editor's choice and new rules for developers that will make it more popular and comfortable to use. More refreshed results are available to reflect the changes in market. Editor's choice section shows their favourites and the most basic applications in store.

It is for sure that new updates in Android Market will certainly increase database of Android application users. Also, upcoming Android Ice Cream Sandwich will offer great features and support that will take Android platform to new heights of success.

CrunchBase Information

Android

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