Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and the APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform. Applications are written using the Java programming language and run on Dalvik, a custom virtual machine specifically designed for embedded use. Dalvik runs on top of a stripped down Linux kernel.
Android was originally developed by Google and unveiled to the developer community on 5th November 2007. Android was designed to be distributed based on an open source license and to compete against other mobile platforms, including those from Microsoft, Research In Motion and Apple Inc. Google also announced the founding of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), a consortium of 47 technology companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices. Android isn’t currently completely open source but a large portion of it is. Google and the OHA is committed to eventually making Android 100% open source.
The first commercially available mobile device running Android is T-Mobile’s G1 smart phone. The G1 became available on the 22nd of October 2008. Recently Android 4.0 has been released. OHA includes members such as Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, Samsung and HTC who between them account for close to 50% of all handsets being manufactured. The future for Android definitely looks very bright.
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