Android (operating system): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:12, 31 January 2011

Revision as of 13:34, 31 January 2011

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'''Android''' is a [[mobile operating system]] initially developed by Android Inc. Android was bought by [[Google]] in [[2005]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050817_0949_tc024.htm |title=Google Buys Android for Its Mobile Arsenal |publisher=Businessweek.com |date=2005-08-17 |accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref> Android is based upon a modified version of the [[Linux kernel]]. Google and other members of the [[Open Handset Alliance]] collaborated on Android's development and release.<ref name="AndroidAnnouncement">{{cite press release |url=http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/press_110507.html |title=Industry Leaders Announce Open Platform for Mobile Devices |accessdate=2007-11-05 |date=2007-11-05 |publisher=[[Open Handset Alliance]]}}</ref><ref name="Open Handset Alliance - FAQ">{{cite press release |url=http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/oha_faq.html |title=Open Handset Alliance - FAQ |accessdate=2010-11-15 |publisher=[[Open Handset Alliance]]}}</ref>

The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is tasked with the maintenance and further development of Android.<ref name="source.android.com">{{cite web |url= http://source.android.com/about/index.html |title= About the Android Open Source Project |accessdate= 2010-11-15}}</ref>

Unit sales for Android OS smartphones ranked first among all [[smartphone]] OS handsets sold in the U.S. in the second and third quarters of 2010,<ref name="news.cnet.com">{{cite web |url= http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-20012627-94.html |title= Android hits top spot in U.S. smartphone market |date= 2010-08-04 |accessdate= 2010-08-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCATRE6734HB20100804 |title=Google's Android leads U.S. smartphones |author= Gabriel Madway |date= 2010-08-04 |accessdate= 2010-08-04 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/android-most-popular-operating-system-in-u-s-among-recent-smartphone-buyers/ |title=Android Most Popular Operating System in U.S. Among Recent Smartphone Buyers &#124; Nielsen Wire |publisher=Blog.nielsen.com |date=2010-10-05 |accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref> with a third quarter market share of 43.6%.<ref>http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_16493024?nclick_check=1</ref> Also as of Q4 2010 the Android O.S. has become the world's No. 1 smart phone platform dethroning [[Nokia]]'s [[Symbian]] from the 10 year top position.<ref name="canalys.com">{{cite web | url=http://www.canalys.com/pr/2011/r2011013.html |title=Google's Android becomes the world's leading smart phone platform}}</ref><ref name="The Financial Times">{{cite web | url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/17433c60-2d31-11e0-9b0f-00144feab49a.html#axzz1CcSUN3Pv |title=Android overtakes Nokia's Symbian}}</ref>

Android has a large community of developers writing [[application software|application programs]] ("''apps''") that extend the functionality of the devices. There are currently over 200,000 apps available for Android.<ref>http://www.stockbriefings.com/google-inc-nasdaqgoog-android-has-200000-apps-2/3179516</ref>[[Android Market]] is the online app store run by Google, though apps can be downloaded from third-party sites ([[AT&T]] permits third-party apps only on their Aria phone <ref>http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/users-finally-able-to-install-third-party-android-apps-on-the-aria</ref>). Developers write primarily in the [[Java (programming language)|Java language]], controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com/8301-13580_3-9815495-39.html |title=Google's Android parts ways with Java industry group |work=[[CNET News]] |first=Stephen |last=Shankland |date=12 November 2007}}</ref> [[Python (programming language)|Python]], [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]] and other languages are also available for Android development via the [http://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/ Android Scripting Environment].