Android Operating Systems - Essay Example

?Android Operating Systems: Introduction: Operating systems are the backbone to the computers that we have in front of us. For a common user who has no acquaintance with the internal and technical details of the computer body would know little that it is the operating system that serves as the heart to the entire organ of computer. This operating system comes in a variety of options that are available to the common users. Operating system is that part which keeps the softwares, hardwares intact and through their integration provides us with a complete set of system in form of operating system. No computer system can be thought of a complete system without an operating system .Many pioneers in this field have taken the operating system concept to a new dimension. Out of all the operating system pioneers in the field, each of these has a common objective between them and that is to facilitate the common user in a better way, improve the experience of operating system and computer usage and take it to a further improved level. Background: The modern times are categorized by digital era. Computer has been a ubiquitous entity and has engulfed us in all dimensions. This expansion has changed the overall outlook of the world and its activities. This all started in the seventies decade when the operating systems and computing world took a new shape in form of personal computers. Since then the journey has been a continuous one has never stopped. The present day existence is a result of the journey covered in form of different operating systems and different companies contributing in their own right towards what we term as a digitally equipped 21st century. The introduction of smart phones and tablets have given a new dimension to the world of computing and thereby further expanded the market of digital devices with focus of customers on portable devices and their better services. History of Android Operating systems: Android operating system is one of the big names in the field of computing and operating system. It might not be as old as its compatriots that are in the field for over multiple decades, still it has made a name and is amongst the top operating systems and entities that are being sought after by the users. As of present the Android operating system enjoys an established position amongst the top three to five operating systems in the field of computing world. This has been made possible through the services, functionalities and features that it provides. The ultimate aim behind Android operating system has been to make the experience of computer usage most friendly and entertaining. Its origin: Android operating system came into its infancy not so long ago, and it was an endeavor and craftsmanship of two individuals named Nick Sears and Andy Rubin. Even they would have never thought that their product would go to an international level and would end up between amongst the top three operating systems in the world of computers. They designed the product with the motto of mobile devices that are smarter in their functionality and facilitate its users in terms of their choices and locations. What started off as an amateur venture by the two individuals, in few years time it caught the attention of Google Inc, and Google inc decided to purchase it, the case grew further strong when Open Handheld Alliance (O.H.A) incorporated Android operating system into its systems and services. O.H.A itself is a giant entity that has over 80 international brands under its umbrella all working in the field of communication, computers and services. These include H.T.C, Samsung to name a few. The O.H.A and android together aim to provide a new medium to the users in form of enriched mobile phones as well as computing operating system which is designed with due consideration of the customers’ needs and requirements(Steele, et al 2011). Scope of Android: Android systems do not only facilitate the operating system clients and markets, rather they have number of other services to provide which are in form of application programs, softwares, the most notable of Android is its community and its application store which is not far behind that App Store. Secret to success: While number of factors can be attributed to the success of Android operating system, the one that can be thought off on technical front is the fact that this operating system is an open source operating system in its true sense(Jackson 3, 2012), and perhaps it is one of the most prominent features that attracts large number of customers to it. The concept of open source operating system enables it to gather massive number of experts some from the field of graphics, others designing, the rest from coding and security factors. Other reasons to its success and being extensively sought after include its user friendly interfaces, dynamic functions and consistently improving pattern. Google Inc, realizing the potential in the overall product initiated the Android Open Source Project (A.O.S.P), which would further facilitate any improvements and changes that may be recommended by the community members who work towards the betterment of this operating system. The AOSP further provides recommendations and performs test runs of various patches and versions prior to the commercial release. Kernel: The kernel inside the operating system is an important entity and it largely defines the working and strength of any operating system. The android operating system kernel incorporates the A.P.I that fulfils the needs of a complete operating system in its true spirit. The kernel is designed on the C language, java and C ++ background. Further computability with Dalvik Virtual Machines adds further strength to the bench of its effective kernel. General Public License ( G.P.L) is another feature incorporated by the Android kernel to give further strength to the entire operating system. Android operating systems are not just limited to desktop computers, the mobile phone market is being stormed by the Android applications and operating systems and all around us we see either Apple mobile phones or Android enabled mobile handsets(Burd, 2011). Operating systems versions: Android is a totally dynamic operating system and it incorporates changes and improvements with every release. As a result of this, it has introduced large number of operating system models and versions, few of them are Jelly Bean version 4.2, 4.1, Honey comb, Gingerbread, Froyo and Donut to name a few(Goransson & Ruiz, 2013). Each of these has been developed with considerations of better services and better performance compared to their respective predecessors. Android operating system is highly compatible with other operating systems, unlike some other operating systems such as Mac by Apple, which at times is subject to the device specification, android can be incorporated regardless of the concern of any particular model or design of hardware. It provides support for functioning over X 86 architecture and ARM processors and their other products and packages. Connectivity factor: Android operating system ensures maximum and easy connectivity to the users; thereby the kernel is designed in such a way that it provides connectivity on the go and with all forms of connection concepts. It provides support for G.S.M technologies as well as WIMAX technologies. Media support: With reference to the media support, it enables maximum functionalities and it is built on the background support of MPEG 4 and H 264 multimedia interface concepts. Potential areas of improvements: Android has made a name as the prominent operating systems, yet it does face challenges in form of the competition with rivals as well as certain technical factors, for example the upgrade from one version to another is being termed as a difficult process by many users. The security factor has perturbed the incumbent entity on occasions and evidence of it was seen in case of Google’s withdraw of number of its applications from market after its launch on possible account of malware and non security backup. Fragmentation is another area to look into in order to overcome any possible loopholes that may exist in the interface. Other salient features: Various other salient features of Android operating system include automatic management, multi layer security concept, low memory usage, better coding techniques incorporation, and improved and effective combination with graphics utility. Conclusion: Android operating system is a giant in computing world, it is here to stay and it is growing by multiple proportions in the market. The market standing speaks for its success that has been achieved in last few years. It has been introduced with aim to provide the computing users with something new and something out of the box that would change their taste of computing machines and computing interfaces, a lot has been achieved in this regard and it has made to the hearts of users yet the journey is far from over and it needs to keep up with its continuous improvement concept which is the order of the day since there are too many competitors in the market and the only way to out beat them is via quality, customers and clients satisfaction and innovation. References: Burd, B. (2011). Android Application Development All-in-One For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons,. Goransson, A., & Ruiz, D. C. (2013). Professional Android Open Accessory Programming with Arduino. John Wiley & Sons. Jackson, W. (2012). Android Apps for Absolute Beginners. Apress. Steele, J., Darcey, L., & Conder, S. (2011). The Android Developer's Collection (Collection). Addison-Wesley. Read More