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What is Android? All you need to know!

What is Android? 

Android- an open-source operating System. It is an operating system that is Linux-based. Android is for mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers. When it comes to the development of this operating system, it was developed by the Open Handset Alliance. You may have an idea that Google and some other companies led the Open Handset Alliance.

The application development gets a unified approach by Android as they don’t need any other operating system to run the applications powered by Android. These can be different devices too. The only condition for their running is to be powered by Android.

2007 was when Google released the first beta version of the Android Software Development Kit (SDK). However, Android 1.0, the first commercial version, was released in September 2008. At the Google I/O conference held on June 27, 2012, Google announced Jellybean as the next Android Version 4.1. This version was meant to provide a user-friendly interface with better functionality and performance.

Google & Android

The major updates to the Android Operating System are released by Google every year. Despite being a significant part of Android development, Google provides the manufacturers with the Android Operating System utterly free of cost. It does not charge even a penny from these large manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei, Lenovo, and Sony. According to an estimate, around one billion devices have Android running on them at this point.

Various Versions of Android

It is a question that is often asked by the users of the Android Operating System or anyone who knows a bit about these Operating Systems ask this question. Why is it that Android seems to look different on different devices? The answer to this question is straightforward. There are multiple versions of Android present in the market. As we have mentioned earlier, Android is open-source software- changes can be made to it. The manufacturers make changes to the software for various reasons. However, the “pure” version, also named the “vanilla” version of Android, is known by the name stock Android.

Why Android?

You have got a short introduction to the Android operating system. Now, the next thing that you need to know is the answer to the question of why. Why do you need to use this operating system? The most important advantage of this operating system is that it provides the user with numerous choices and options to choose from. There are thousands of devices that use Android as their operating system. So, the user is free from the boundaries of a specific kind of instrument of any particular brand. The users can also avail themselves of various Android apps, which are less controlled and more functional. The customization of the device is another good thing about Android.

In addition to all these significant advantages, several features of the Android Operating System compelling the user to buy this. These include:

  • Multi-Language Support
  • Storage
  • Multi-Touch availability
  • Optimized Graphics
  • High Success Ratio
  • Inter-App Integration
  • Increased Marketing
  • Open-Source OS
  • Multiple Connectivity

Understanding the Android Device and Android Operating System

Now let’s have a look at the steps that you need to take to set up your Android device. You will be greeted with a Welcome screen the very first time you turn on your Android device. You have to select a language by scrolling down. It will then ask to insert a SIM card if you haven’t inserted it already. You will be asked to choose a Wi-Fi network after that. If there is a connection present around you, do connect with it or otherwise skip this step.

On the next screen, you will be asked to enter your Google account if you have one. This will make the process easier for you and provides you with easy access to Google Apps such as Play Store, Calendar, Gmail, and much more. Then you will be able to set up some Google Services. After that, there will be some location-related stuff, which is entirely an option and can be done later. In the last, you will get an opportunity to personalize your device and enter your name. If you have already entered a Google account, you will find your name. And you are sorted!

Home Screen

Once you are done setting up your device, it will take you to the home screen. The way the home screen looks varies depending on the device that you are using. Most of the home screens have the same essential elements. However, some of them have app drawers, and some Chinese OEMs do remove these drawers.

The next thing that you will see on all the Android Devices is the notification bar. In some devices, it is present on the top of the screen and needs to be swiped down to view the notifications, while in others, you will be able to find the notification bar on the bottom of the screen, and it needs to be swiped up. You can view any pending notifications along with the icons on the top of your screen too. Moreover, the user has the freedom to get rid of these notifications after reading them by just swiping them away.

Some quick toggles can also be accessed in the notification bar for settings like alarm modes, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, etc. You can find the home, back, and last accessed apps button below the dock. In the past, the devices used to have physical buttons for the same purpose. But now, this navigation bar has been replaced with gestures only.

Another feature of the home screen is swiping the screen option. You can swipe from left to right and backward to switch to the other screen. You can select the number of screens and can choose infinite screens as well. There are dots present at the bottom to locate the number of the screen as well.

Google Play Store

Google Play Store is another most efficient thing that needs to be discussed here. Although it needs no introduction just for the sake of argument, let me tell you, Google Play Store is a kind of marketplace. It works exactly like any other traditional market that you visit to buy things. This marketplace is used to purchase games, apps owned by Android App development company, books, music, and much more. All the things that you buy will connect to your Google Account. This enables you to access these things by just logging in to your account.

Limitations of the Android Operating System

Despite offering numerous features and being so good, the Android Operating System comes with certain limitations as well. The apps that are available on the Android devices have comparatively lower security profiles than any other operating system. Moreover, its lack of voice-assistant is also a feature that may cause most people not to buy this.

Android is Amazing!

The thing about Android that cannot be dined is the amusement and joy it provides to its users. The best part is, it’s a pretty affordable OS than all others present in the market. We have provided you with a brief introduction to this Operating System. The rest is up to you.

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