69

Facts about Android Operating System

In this article, you will learn the facts about the Android operating system. But before discussing the facts, you should know about the Android operating system.

What is Android Operating System?

Android is a Linux-based OS that is mainly intended for various mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. In the last 15 years, the OS has progressed effectively from black and white phones to modern smartphones and minicomputers. Android OS is presently one of the most popular mobile operating systems. Android is a software program that was built in 2003 in Palo Alto, California.

Android offers millions of programs that can assist you in positively managing your life, which are inexpensive on the market. That’s why it is so popular. It is a popular operating system that supports a wide range of Smartphone applications. Android apps are more advanced and user-friendly. The hardware that runs Android software is supported by the ARM architecture platform. It is an open-source OS, which implies that anyone could use it for free. Android development only supports the complete Java programming language. The initial version of the Android development kit was Android 1.0, released in 2008, and the latest update is Android 12.0.

Versions of the Android operating system

There are various versions of the Android OS. Here is the list from the first to the last version of Android OS.

Android Version	Released Year	Version Name
Android 1.0	2008	No Name
Android 1.1	2009	Petit Four
Android 1.5	2009	Cupcake
Android 1.6	2009	Donut
Android (2.0 – 2.1)	2009	Éclair
Android (2.2 – 2.2.3)	2010	Froyo
Android (2.3 – 2.3.7)	2010	Gingerbread
Android (3.0 – 3.2.6)	2011	Honeycomb
Android (4.0 – 4.0.4)	2011	Ice Cream Sandwich
Android (4.1 – 4.3.1)	2012	Jelly Bean
Android (4.4 – 4.4.4)	2013	KitKat
Android (5.0 – 5.1.1)	2014	Lollipop
Android (6.0 – 6.0.1)	2015	Marshmallow
Android (7.0 – 7.1.2)	2016	Nougat
Android (8.0 – 8.1)	2017	Oreo
Android 9.0	2018	Pie
Android 10	2019	Android 10
Android 11	2020	Android 11
Android 12	2021	Android 12
Android 12L	2022	Android 12

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Android Operating System

There are various advantages and disadvantages of an Android operating system. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Android operating system are as follows:

Advantages

1. Open EcoSystem
   Android offers various app stores, one of which is the Google Play store, which comes standard on practically every smartphone and tablet for users to find and download new apps.
2. Open Source
   The Android OS enables developers and device manufacturers to change the OS core software. It enables businesses to modify the OS to function in highly specialized industries.
3. Customized ROMs
   Many third-party apps provide advanced capabilities on Android, and one of the best things about them is that anyone can use them, modify them, and install custom versions instead of the ones that came with the phone. It will offer you with various system-level tweaks that you won’t be able to get easily on any other operating system like Windows or iOS.
4. Customizable UI
   Google has worked hard to make Android’s user interface (UI) as versatile and configurable as possible. Google has loaded Android with a host of customizable devices. These can be accessed from anywhere in the UI and offer updates or shortcuts to services like calendar, email, and massages.
5. Affordable
   Because Android OS is relatively affordable to buy, most people prefer to purchase Android phones. Android phones are cheaper than iOS and Windows phones.

Disadvantages

1. Many advertisements in Apps
   Many Android apps are available for free download; however, they come with various advertisements that appear on the app screens or while you use the app. It irritates the user, and the user must acquire software authorization to delete advertisements or disable an app.
2. Low specification smartphones run slowly
   Android is a big operating system that consumes a lot of resources, and it even comes with several common applications. Therefore lower specification smartphones run slowly. When you load various apps on these systems, your phone can soon become reactive or overheat.
3. Defense from viruses
   Android is ineffective in preventing infection. There are various games available on the Google play store that contains viruses. Users may import and install software from other foreign sites, which may include viruses or have stolen files and documents.
4. Google account needed
   You’ll need a Gmail account to install the Google Play Store apps. A Gmail account is also required to utilize a few Google apps. Your smartphone will be encrypted if you lose your Gmail address, and you will need to find your Gmail address to enable it.
5. Software Update
   One of the main disadvantages of the Android phone is the software update. If you have an older Android smartphone, you will not be able to upgrade to a newer version of Android. There are various cellphones available on the market that runs older Android versions. If you want to use the most recent version of Android, you must purchase one of the new flagship Android smartphones.

Facts about Android Operating System

There are various facts about the Android OS. Some facts about the Android operating system are as follows:

1. Andy Rubin, Nick Sears, and Chris White created the Android operating system in 2003, and the company that created it was named AndroidINC., not Google.
2. There is no doubt that with the introduction of the Android operating system, touch screen phones have been ruled by this operating system. Still, you may be surprised to know that the prototype conducted on this phone was on the QWERTY keyboard, which appears identical to an old Blackberry phone.
3. Android Inc. developed the Android OS, which was acquired by Google for $50 million in 2005.
4. Except for Android 1.0 and 1.1, all Android versions are named after confectionery and desserts, such as Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, and KitKat.
5. Android is written in various programming languages, including Java, XML, Python, Shell script, Assembly language, C, C++, Go, Make, D.
6. In November 2007, Google officially released the operating system. The Android OS was originally designed for cameras, but Google recognized the possibility of using the operating system on smartphones, which has now come to pass.
7. As a member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), Google has granted users, and interested parties access to the operating system’s source code. It gives consumers and smartphone makers a lot of flexibility when it comes to introducing new features to the operating system.
8. Android releases its versions alphabetically, including Astro, Bender, Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollypop, and Marshmallow.
9. Android has an app store called Google Play, which has recorded more than 48 billion apps installations. Most of the apps are free of cost.
10. Phandroid is an Android-focused website that contains news, reviews, and forums. It was the first dedicated website for Android, with its first post appearing on the same day Google formally introduced Android in 2007.
11. Android operating system captures 88% of the total smartphone market, whereas IOS captures 11% market share.
12. Even though Google is providing free Android software to smartphone makers, Google will most likely achieve its goal of becoming the mobile advertising king through Android smartphones. Google’s primary source of revenue is advertising, which will pay off in a big way with the departure of users from computer systems to smartphones. It should be noticed that Android OS dominates both categories.
13. Google had to make a deal with Nestle Company to use the “Kit-Kat” name for Android version 4.4.
14. Android is available in 46 languages, which implies that apps can be created in a different languages to attract a wider audience.
15. The cupcake was the name of the first Android phone that was offered to users, and it ran on the Android operating system 1.5. The HTC Dream G1 was the first phone to use the Android 1.5 operating system.
16. The first Android phone took about a year to arrive, even after developing the operating system. The first Android phone was launched on September 23, 2008, and it was available for the user.
17. The most important point to note is that the Android-based device is being used in space. NASA has created a floating space robot that is compatible with the Nexus S handset. The Android Gingerbread operating system is used on this device.
18. Android devices are more popular than iOS, Microsoft Windows, and Mac operating system devices.
19. The Sony Ericsson LiveView watch was released in 2010, and it was designed to work with Android phones to display and control things like Twitter feeds, SMS, and the media player.
20. Microsoft receives approximately $2 billion in patent royalties from Android each year.

---