What is Android, and why is it needed? Many beginners, when buying a modern gadget, be it a tablet or a smartphone, ask a similar question. It is worth clarifying the situation and highlighting some of the advantages of this platform.

History of appearance

Today, there are many devices that run on the Android platform. This operating system is designed for smartphones and tablets, watches and e-readers, game consoles and even Google glasses. Perhaps TVs and cars with Android support will appear soon.

The history of the creation of the OS began back in 2003. At that time, a small organization called Android inc was founded. Its founders were Rich Miner, Chris White, Andy Rubin and Nick Sears. Even then, some developments were underway that were planned to be implemented in the new operating system. The company carried out its activities in the strictest secrecy.

The organization soon ran out of money, and there were no significant achievements in OS development. Due to the lack of results, investors could not be attracted. After a while, Google became interested in the development. In 2005, the company became the property of the search giant.

After this, the Open Handset Alliance Corporation was founded. It includes leading manufacturers mobile devices. The Android platform was first introduced in 2007. As you know, it is based on the Linux kernel. First version of this operating system came out in 2008.

What it is

Android is the operating system that powers smartphones, tablets, and many other devices. Thanks to this OS, even the most inexpensive phone will be able to gain new capabilities. The system will allow you to install various useful programs on your device that will help you make full use of all the functions of the device.

All you need software can be downloaded from Play Market. This site contains more than 700 thousand programs. A wide range will allow you to find any the right application. Using the operating system, you can easily access the Internet, watch video files, communicate via in social networks, listen to music, take photos and immediately post them to your account or read e-books.

It is worth noting that the OS is completely free. Moreover, it is very easy to use. It won't take much time to understand the interface. Thanks to all its advantages, it has become the most widespread in the world. In 2014, more than 86% of devices operating on this platform were sold.

Video: Android phone

OS application

Since the advent of the Android operating system to the present day, developers have not been sitting idly by. The platform is constantly being improved. At the same time, its functionality is expanded by introducing new features.

The platform has become so popular and comfortable to use that many companies that develop modern gadgets have decided to release their devices based on this OS.

Using Android is not as difficult as it seems. With its help, you can perform almost the same actions on your device as on your computer.

The system provides several standard applications. Among them are:

• browser;
• Email;
• calendar;
• voice search;
• social network;
• navigator;
• weather;
• news.

All applications from Google.

Another nice plus is the ability to customize your desktop yourself. Can be added on device additional screen, where you can place shortcuts or widgets. You can also install any theme or wallpaper you like, thereby modifying the interface.

Why is it good

This OS has a number of advantages. The main ones are:

Stages of Android development

After the presentation of the first version of the platform, it was refined over the next year, as a result of which some system errors were corrected.

Five updated versions were introduced in 2009:

2010 was marked by the release of two more versions. They became:

The next development by the manufacturers was platform 3.0, which was presented in 2011. The new OS was specifically designed for tablets.
This system differs from the previous ones:

• improved interface;
• the ability to synchronize links with Google Chrome;
• external keyboard support;
• it is now possible to change the size of widgets on the screen;
• work on a multi-core processor.

The developers did not stop there and created Android 4.0, which was called “Ice Cream Sandwich”. This platform has become more universal. It can be used on both a phone and a tablet.



The OS has a lot of new features and improvements:

• The notification panel has been changed;
• a way to control Internet traffic has been added;
• a voice dictation function has appeared;
• spell checking system;
• The camera application has been improved - a panoramic shooting mode, various effects and an image stabilizer have appeared;
• the browser has been updated;
• support for screenshots;
• updated security and gadget protection system.

Throughout 2012 and 2013, manufacturers worked on developing the Jelly Bean OS..



The next versions were 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. The new changes mainly affected the speed of the interface. Thanks to new developments, productivity has been increased. Now the GPU and central processor work in parallel.

The updated version of the platform has:



At the end of 2013, another version of Android 4.4 “Kitkat” was announced. The new platform has been optimized to run on cheaper devices that have RAM 512 MB.



There are also some changes here:

• Now in smartphones, contacts with whom the user communicates more often are located at the top of the list;
• the voice assistant is always active;
• automatic caller ID;
• subtitles are now displayed in the video player;
• the file downloader has an updated design;
• support for pedometer applications;
• Numerous errors and shortcomings have been corrected.

The company's latest development is version 5. The new OS is called "Lollipop". The main highlight was the Material design, which is distinguished by its versatility.



Competitors

The main competitors with which the Android platform has to fight for the palm are:

Versatility of Android OS

Today everyone knows about the new Android operating system. It is used in modern smartphones and tablet computers. It opens up enormous opportunities for both developers and users, who can download ready-made programs that change the interface style and download all sorts of useful applications. Users who are interested in the design of a computer roughly understand what Windows is, but in order to find out what Android is, it is necessary to get acquainted with the history of the creation and evolution of the system.

Android developers

The operating system was created by Google employees who set out to create a universal platform for a number of new gadgets: smartphones, tablet computers, e-readers, netbooks and even Google glasses. Thus, it can be argued that Android is Google's operating system. Linux became the core for system development. Google did not immediately become the founders new system. They just bought the company Android Inc, which began work in a promising direction. This move made it possible to attract leading minds to work on the project and invest quite large sums in it.

Google operating system features

Today, every schoolchild knows what Android is, because thousands of smartphones and tablets that are sold at a low price work on the basis of this system. The announcement of the system took place in 2007, and a full-fledged version of the OS was released in 2008. This event turned the mobile world upside down, where until now small systems were used that did not allow achieving maximum performance. The whole world learned what Android was as soon as the first device based on it was released. Thanks to the developers, users were able to look at their smartphones from a different perspective. The devices have become an excellent platform for high-quality games. Using a smartphone, it has become possible to create Internet access points without unnecessary settings and complex algorithms. Each a new version The system made it possible to correct the inaccuracies made in the first one and improve the platform.

Benefits for developers and owners of devices running Android

Every modern developer knows what Android is, because it is for this platform that it is easiest to develop an application that will allow you to become famous. A huge number of games posted on the Google Market are made by enthusiasts. If users show a certain interest in the application, its creator can set himself up for success; he will definitely be noticed and offered to sign a lucrative contract. It is also important for the average user to know what Android is in order to understand the capabilities that the system provides and begin to use their gadgets to their full potential. Programs for the operating system can be downloaded through the market; a huge number of applications are distributed free of charge.

Download useful apps for pennies

Some games and programs that have earned high ratings from users can be downloaded by paying a symbolic price - a few dollars. Programs can also be downloaded from a regular website via a computer and loaded onto the device via a standard cable.

The logo of a green humanoid robot is now familiar to the vast majority of the planet’s inhabitants and can be found on devices from a variety of manufacturers. However, despite such great popularity, there are still people who do not know what Android is, or have an incomplete understanding of this operating system.

Another advantage of Android is its flexibility of settings. You can change your device beyond recognition by designing it according to your preferences. Android offers a lot of other undoubted advantages, but there is no point in listing them, because to each his own. For example, for some, the ability to synchronize Android with Google services is an advantage, but for others this is a completely useless function.

Each operating system has both advantages and disadvantages, of course, Android OS is no exception. If we compare Android with Symbian OS, Windows Mobile or iPhone OS, then this operating system is much inferior to them in security. The reason for this is that it is open source, which puts the smartphone at risk of being hacked. Even Google itself claims that every fifth application for Android is potentially unsafe and can lead to theft of personal data.

One of the main disadvantages of the Android OS is its high consumption of Internet traffic. Most applications require a constant Internet connection to function properly. However, even if you do not use such programs, the operating system itself will consume traffic. The fact is that the OS settings by default have the function of sending reports on completed work, which are sent to developers. This leads to another significant drawback of Android - high power consumption.

Of course, the Android operating system also has other disadvantages, but they are not so significant, so we will not pay attention to them. Now you know what Android is and what advantages and disadvantages are typical for this OS. If you have any questions, ask them in the comments.

First, let’s clarify for those who do not have information what it is Android.
Android is an operating system for ; mobile phones such as smartphones; game consoles; laptops, which is developed by the Open Handset Alliance and belongs to Google. The first version of this system was released in 2008 and after that there have already been 40 system updates. Naturally, all updates were made in order to eliminate or correct certain system errors, as well as to add new functions to the Android system.

Application of the Android operating system

At the moment, based on verified sources, those phones that were purchased in 2014, 85% of them had the Android system. Looking back at Android history, Google originally intended to name versions of the system after famous robots, but ran into copyright issues. But soon each version received its own name, which was given after the name of the desserts. The above names were given in Latin in alphabetical order. At the time of 2014, 12 versions of the operating system had already been released.

Even if you have a simple phone, then with the operating system the same device turns into a full-fledged “smart” phone. Android OS will help you use the Internet without difficulty, for example, watch online movies, videos, read e-books, communicate on social networks, and the like. This system is very easy to use. First of all, you need to connect your phone to the wireless Internet and create a new Google account. If you already have such an account, you can use the old one. After you complete these procedures, all Internet services will become available to you. Next, you will have the opportunity to download programs and other applications.

For example, you can install websites on your phone using the . With this application you can secure your phone by downloading from. Moreover, all programs for downloading are free (but there are also paid ones), unlike other operating systems. If you want to customize the desktop on your device to your liking, then the Android OS will help you change the virtual keyboard, change the interface, screen widgets and shortcuts. Here is an example of a phone with the Android operating system.

The first smartphones (communicators) appeared in the world almost 20 years ago. They made it possible to solve the simplest tasks related to opening and editing documents, and were able to send faxes and e-mail. However, the market was dominated by feature phones and small Palm pocket computers. At the end of the 2000s, devices running Android began to appear on the market. What is Android and what capabilities does this operating system provide to modern mobile devices?

For a long time Cell phones were a means for making voice calls and a tool for sending/receiving SMS. With the development of technology, phones with J2ME support began to appear on the market - this made it possible to expand functionality using additional applications. But they were very, very far from a full-fledged pocket computer.

Regular mobile phones (not smartphones) can make and receive calls, have functions for working with SMS and MMS, and can access the Internet and send email. There are simple browsers for accessing the Internet. All these features are built into the phone’s memory, so replacing an inconvenient dialer won’t work here. Don't like the built-in audio player or don't have enough codecs to play video? You'll have to grind your teeth and endure.

Some of the market for smarter devices has long been occupied by smartphones/communicators based on Windows Mobile and Symbian. There was already multitasking, there was the ability to find and install various programs. Users were happy with decent functionality, but it was all a little different - there was not the freedom of action that is provided to modern users of Android smartphones.

What is Android

The massive distribution of Android devices occurred at the end of the 2000s, when Windows Mobile (of all kinds of versions, often incompatible with each other) and Symbian dominated the market. In parallel with them, Apple products developed - its smartphones were an icon of functionality. The advent of Android was a real sensation. This operating system has taken over the market for smart devices, becoming the clear leader.

As of mid-2018, it powered more than 85.9% of mobile devices - Apple with its iOS was left far behind. Android is a multitasking operating system for mobile devices built on Linux. Hence the high performance and open source. The first version appeared at the end of 2008, followed by numerous updates. The latest version is Android 9.0 Pie, which appeared in the second half of 2018. Next up is Android 10.0 Q, release date unknown.

Each new development means new opportunities, increased efficiency and increased productivity. Android is an operating system that made it possible to create full-fledged pocket computers, which are all modern smartphones and tablets. Android OS devices can:

• Make and receive calls;
• Work with email;
• Work with any wireless modules (3G, 4G, GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi, NFC, etc.);
• Interact with users via touch screens, keyboards, mice, touchpads and gamepads;
• Access the Internet via wireless networks;
• Make video calls;
• Take high-quality photographs and shoot videos, working with several matrices at once;
• Verify users using numerous security measures, including using a fingerprint scanner;
• Work with printers, external cameras and other devices;
• Interact with smart devices.

But the most important advantage that endlessly expands the capabilities of Android is the ability to install various applications. With their help, smartphones and tablets become faithful assistants to users. Applications allow you to receive information about discounts, make purchases in stores, listen to music, watch videos, read news, surf the Internet and solve business problems. Users can also choose from service applications, sports applications, online magazines and much more.

An important function of smartphonesAndroid – the ability to replace a bank card. To do this, you need to link your card to Google Pay or Samsung Pay. To pay in a store, just bring your smartphone to the terminal, wait for the signal for a successful transaction and receive a receipt from the cashier. Devices with an NFC module have this functionality.

Android features

Android is an extremely user-friendly operating system. A few minutes are enough for initial acquaintance, and after a couple of days even the youngest beginners become quite experienced users. Most operations in Android are performed using simple gestures, and the system has a special store for installing applications Google Play– here all the software is structured and presented in the form of a convenient catalog.

Simple installation of applications from your own store is very convenient for novice users - no need to scour the Internet and look for software in search engines.

Android is a very flexible operating system. It is easily customized to suit users' own needs, and the abundance of applications allows you to get additional functionality or replace some basic functions.

Don't like the standard dialer? No problem - download another application, replace the shortcuts on your desktop and use the new application. Don't like the built-in player? Just download another one from Google Play. You can also download here:

• Clients of popular social networks;
• Messengers for instant messaging;
• Bank clients;
• Mail programs;
• Wallets of electronic payment systems;
• News applications;
• Clients of online publications;
• Offline and online games;
• Cooking apps and more.

Android is very user-friendly, which means you can completely customize it for yourself.

You can get information without launching applications - for this, the system provides widgets that are located on the desktop and display useful information. These could be headings latest news, weather forecasts, exchange rates, people's latest actions on social networks, etc.

IN latest versions Android has implemented a split screen into two parts for simultaneous work with two applications at once.

Android is the operating system that runs the most different devices. These included smartphones, tablet PCs, some desktop PCs, smart TVs, game consoles, satellite and digital receivers, mini-PCs, multimedia players, e-readers, smartbooks and even wristwatches. And every day the capabilities of the operating system and devices. Buy an Android smartphone or tablet and try out the system’s capabilities first-hand – you’ll definitely like them!