Android (operating system): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:29, 11 September 2013

Revision as of 08:48, 12 September 2013

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In 2010, Google launched its [[Google Nexus|Nexus]] series of devices—a line of smartphones and tablets running the Android operating system, and built by a manufacturer partner. HTC collaborated with Google to release the first Nexus smartphone,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/mar/14/google-mobile-phone-launch-delay |title=Google forced to delay British launch of Nexus phone |publisher=guardian.co.uk |date=March 14, 2010 |author=Richard Wray |___location=London |accessdate=2012-02-17}}</ref> the [[Nexus One]]. The series has since been updated with newer devices, such as the [[Nexus&nbsp;4]] phone and [[Nexus&nbsp;10]] tablet, made by [[LG]] and Samsung respectively. Google releases the Nexus phones and tablets to act as their [[Flagship#Flagship as metaphor|flagship]] Android devices, demonstrating Android's latest software and hardware features. On March 13, 2013, it was announced by [[Larry Page]] in a blog post that Andy Rubin had moved from the Android division to take on new projects at Google.<ref>{{cite web|author=Charles Arthur |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/andy-rubin-google-move |title=Andy Rubin moved from Android to take on 'moonshots' at Google &#124; Technology &#124; guardian.co.uk |publisher=Guardian |date=|accessdate=2013-03-14}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Sundar Pichai]], who also continues his role as the head of Google's Chrome division,<ref>{{cite web|last=Page |first=Larry |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/update-from-ceo.html |title=Official Blog: Update from the CEO |publisher=Googleblog.blogspot.co.uk |date=|accessdate=2013-03-14}}</ref> which develops [[Google Chrome OS|Chrome OS]].

Since 2008, Android has seen [[Android version history|numerous updates]] which have incrementally improved the operating system, adding new features and fixing bugs in previous releases. Each major release is named in alphabetical order after a dessert or sugary treat; for example, version 1.5 ''Cupcake'' was followed by 1.6 ''Donut''. The latest released version is 4.3 ''Jelly Bean'' and version 4.4, ''[[KitKat]]'', was announced on September 3, 2013.<ref name=verge-kitkat>{{cite web|title=KitKat mocks Apple with Android 4.4 parody video|url=http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/3/4690744/kit-kat-mocks-apple-with-android-parody-video|work=The Verge|accessdate=4 September 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |url=http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-07/24/android-43 |title=Android 4.3 announced, bringing incremental changes to Jelly Bean (Wired UK) |publisher=Wired.co.uk |date=2013-07-24 |accessdate=2013-08-08}}</ref>

==Description==

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The open-source nature of Android allows security contractors to take existing devices and adapt them for highly secure uses. For example Samsung has worked with General Dynamics through their [[Open Kernel Labs]] acquisition to rebuild ''Jelly Bean'' on top of their hardened microvisor for the "Knox" project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/28/general_dynamics/ |title=Air-to-ground rocket men flog top-secret mobe-crypto to Brad in accounts |publisher=The Register |date=2013-02-28 |accessdate=2013-08-08}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/technology/samsung-armors-android-to-take-on-blackberry.html "Samsung Armors Android to Take On BlackBerry."]</ref>

As part of the broader [[2013 mass surveillance disclosures]] it was revealed in September 2013 that the American and British intelligence agencies, the NSA and [[Government Communications Headquarters]] (GCHQ) respectively, have access to the user data in iPhones, Blackberries, and Android phones. They are able to read almost all smartphone information, including SMS, ___location, emails, and notes. <ref name=spiegel20130907>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/a-920971.html|title= Privacy Scandal: NSA Can Spy on Smart Phone Data|date=September 7, 2013|accessdate=September 7, 2013|author=Staff}}</ref>

== Licensing ==

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The open and customizable nature of Android allows it to be used on other electronics aside from smartphones and tablets, including laptops and [[netbook]]s, [[smartbook]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/06/toshiba-ac100-android-smartbook-hits-the-united-kingdom/ |title=Toshiba AC100 Android smartbook hits the United Kingdom |author=Laura June |work=Engadget |date=September 6, 2010 |accessdate=2012-02-20}}</ref> [[smart TV]]s ([[Google TV]]) and cameras ([[Nikon Coolpix S800c]] and [[Galaxy Camera]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/03/altek-leo-the-14-megapixel-android-cameraphone-headed-for-euro/ |title=Altek Leo, the 14 megapixel Android cameraphone, headed for Europe in 2011 |publisher=Engadget |date=October 3, 2010 |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samsung.com/in/promotions/galaxycamera/?pid=in_home_thelatest_left1_galaxycamera_20120830|title=Samsung Galaxy Camera |author=Samsung |work=Samsung.com |date=August 29, 2012 |accessdate=2012-08-30}}</ref> In addition, the Android operating system has seen applications on smart glasses ([[Google Glass]]), wristwatches,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |url=http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2695959/sony-smart-watch-aka-sony-ericsson-liveview-2-hands-on |title=Sony Smart Watch (aka Sony Ericsson LiveView 2) hands-on |publisher=The Verge |date=January 10, 2012 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> [[headphones]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/01/12/now_audio_admiral_touch/ |title=Android-powered touchscreen Wi-Fi headphones |author=Rik Myslewski |publisher=theregister.co.uk |date=January 12, 2011 |accessdate=2012-01-16}}</ref> car CD and DVD players,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/car-player-android.html |title=Car Player Android-Car Player Android Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on |publisher=Alibaba.com |accessdate=2012-02-20}}</ref> mirrors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidauthority.com/android-everywhere-10-types-of-devices-that-android-is-making-better-57012/ |title=Android Everywhere: 10 Types of Devices That Android Is Making Better |publisher=Androidauthority.com |date=2012-02-26 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref> [[portable media player]]s<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.androidauthority.com/top-android-mp3-players-for-2011-36523/ |title=Top Android MP3 Players for 2011 |author=Will G. |publisher=Androidauthority.com |date=December 1, 2011 |accessdate=2012-02-16}}</ref> and [[landline]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/archos-smart-home-phone-now-available-get-android-your-landline |title=Archos Smart Home Phone |publisher=Android Central |date=January 19, 2012 |accessdate=2012-01-30}}</ref> and [[VoIP phone|Voice over IP phones]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Grandstream Announces Android IP Phone|url=http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/multimedia-voip/multimedia-voip-news/31893-grandstream-announces-android-ip-phone}}</ref> [[Ouya]], a video game console running Android, became one of the most successful [[Kickstarter]] campaigns, [[crowdfunding]] US$8.5m for its development,<ref name="ouya">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/ouya-interview-julie-uhrman-tackles-consoles-critics-231474.phtml |title=OUYA interview: Julie Uhrman tackles consoles & critics |publisher=Destructoid |date=|accessdate=2012-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Erik Kain |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/07/16/an-interview-with-ouya-founder-julie-uhrman-on-a-new-breed-of-video-game-console/ |title=An Interview With 'Ouya' Founder Julie Uhrman On A New Breed Of Video Game Console |publisher=Forbes |date=2012-04-18 |accessdate=2012-11-02}}</ref> and was later followed by other Android-based consoles, such as [[Nvidia]]'s [[Project Shield]]—an Android device in a [[video game controller]] form factor.<ref>{{cite news|title=NVIDIA Shield ships July 31st, barely meets delayed launch window|url=http://www.engadget.com/2013/07/21/nvidia-shield-ships-july-31st/|accessdate=July 21, 2013|newspaper=Engadget|date=21 July 2013}}</ref>

In 2011, Google demonstrated "Android@Home", a home automation technology which uses Android to control a range of household devices including light switches, power sockets and thermostats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/editorial-android-home-is-the-best-worst-thing-that-could-happe/ |title=Editorial: Android@Home is the best worst thing that could happen to home automation |publisher=Engadget |date=|accessdate=2012-11-02}}</ref> Prototype light bulbs were announced that could be controlled from an Android phone or tablet, but Android head Andy Rubin was cautious to note that "turning a lightbulb on and off is nothing new," pointing to numerous failed home automation services. Google, he said, was thinking more ambitiously and the intention was to use their position as a [[cloud computing|cloud]] services provider to bring Google products into customers' homes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nilay Patel |url=http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/27/2827615/android-home-automation-cloud-services-andy-rubin |title=Home in the clouds: Google's home automation platform to have major services integration |publisher=The Verge |date=2012-02-27 |accessdate=2012-11-02}}</ref><ref>[http://gigaom.com/2013/05/07/why-the-time-has-come-for-android-home-to-finally-make-a-splash/ Why the time has come for Android @Home to finally make a splash by Janko Roettgers]</ref>

by Janko Roettgers]</ref>

== See also ==