RESEARCH PAPER ON ANDROID PDF
Abstract
Android is a Linux-based open-source operating system designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. It was developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. Android has become the world’s most widely used operating system with billions of active users globally. This research paper aims to provide an in-depth understanding of Android by covering its history, architecture, versions, features, market share, and comparison with other mobile operating systems like iOS. The paper also discusses Android’s ongoing evolutions in terms of adding new capabilities and improving user experience.
Keywords: Android, history, architecture, versions, features, market share, comparison with iOS
Introduction
Android started as a research project in Palo Alto, California, in 2003 by Android Inc., which was later acquired by Google in 2005. Google then used the software to power its mobile devices and finally released the Android platform in 2008, making it an open-source project. Since then, Android has witnessed several major releases and has become the world’s most popular mobile operating system today.
This research paper comprehensively covers various technical and business aspects of Android over the years. The paper initially traces the history of Android’s development. It then delves into Android’s system architecture including layers, framework services like Activity Manager, and application framework. The major Android versions and their key features released so far are also discussed in detail. The paper provides statistics on Android’s staggering market share globally and compares it with the closest competitor iOS. Lastly, the paper touches upon Android’s continuous evolutions to enrich user experience.
History of Android
Android was founded in Palo Alto, California in 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. to strengthen its mobile presence. Some of the initial ideas behind Android were developed at Google by engineers such as Steve Perlman, Patrick Brady, and Andy Rubin.
The unveiling of Android platform was announced by Google in November 2007. There was immense interest in Google’s new initiative and companies like T-Mobile, HTC, Sony, Lenovo, and Asus joined the Open Handset Alliance formed by Google to support Android’s development. The first beta version of Android, named Astro, was released by Google in November 2007.
Google released the Android v1.0 SDK preview along with the official Android Developer website in August 2008. HTC Dream, also known as T-Mobile G1, became the first commercially released Android phone in September 2008. Android 1.0 was officially released in September 2008.
Over the subsequent years, Google has worked closely with its partners to evolve Android through regular updates which included new features and hardware optimization. Some of the key Android releases are:
Android 1.5 Cupcake (April 2009)
Android 1.6 Donut (September 2009)
Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair (October 2009)
Android 2.2 Froyo (May 2010)
Android 2.3 Gingerbread (December 2010)
Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 Honeycomb (February 2011)
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (October 2011)
Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 Jelly Bean (July 2012)
Android 4.4 KitKat (October 2013)
Android 5.0/5.1 Lollipop (November 2014)
Android 6.0 Marshmallow (October 2015)
Android 7.0/7.1 Nougat (August 2016)
Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo (August 2017)
Android 9.0 Pie (August 2018)
Android 10 (September 2019)
Android 11 (September 2020)
Android Architecture
Android has a modular architecture with each module having a specific role. The key components of Android architecture include:
Linux Kernel – It is the foundation of the Android operating system and provides low-level device access along with memory management and process management.
Native Libraries – It includes libc, surface manager, media frameworks, SQLite for storage, WebKit browser engine etc. These are responsible for driving hardware components.
Android Runtime – It includes Dalvik virtual machine until Android 4.4 and ART (Android Runtime) from Android 5.0 onwards which compiles applications into native code during installation for faster performance.
Core Applications – Core apps built into Android like contacts app, camera, settings etc. These apps are written using Android framework API.
Application Framework – It provides common reusable building blocks for developers through various Java classes like Activity, Services, ContentProvider, BroadcastReceivers etc.
Applications – These are apps developed by users, OEMs or third-party vendors using programming languages like Java or Kotlin which run within the Android application sandbox.
Some key services within the Android framework include:
Activity Manager: Manages the lifecycle and launching of Activities, Services and BroadcastReceivers.
Package Manager: Manages applications installed on the system and handles installation of new apps.
Telephony Manager: Provides access to telephony services like making calls, sending text messages etc.
Notification Manager: Helps apps display heads-up notifications and status bar icons.
Location Manager: Retrieves device’s location via network (WiFi/Cellular) or GPS sensor.
View System: Responsible for 2D and 3D graphics rendering and window management.
Resource Manager: Allows access to non-code embedded resources like layouts, menus, strings etc stored as XML files.
Major Android Versions and Features
Since 2008, Google has released many Android versions with progressively more refined functionalities and APIs for app developers. Some of the notable Android versions are:
Android 1.5 Cupcake (API Level 3) – April 2009
Improvements to notifications, camera, Bluetooth tethering.
Android 1.6 Donut (API Level 4) – September 2009
Live wallpapers, camera improvements, enhanced graphics support.
Android 2.0/2.1 Eclair (API Levels 5/7) – October 2009
Support for secondary display using micro HDMI, VPN access.
Android 2.2 Froyo (API Level 8) – May 2010
Performance boost, WiFi hotspot support, embedded browser updates.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread (API Level 9) – December 2010
Notification center, updated theme engine, memory improvements.
Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 Honeycomb (API Levels 11-13) – February 2011
Optimized for tablets, multi-tasking enhancements, hardware acceleration.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (API Level 14/15) – October 2011
Unification of UI between phones and tablets, Face Unlock, hardware acceleration.
Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 Jelly Bean (API Levels 16-18) – July 2012
Multi-window support, Google Now, wireless display support, performance optimizations.
Android 4.4 KitKat (API Level 19) – October 2013
64-bit support, security enhancements, restricted profiles, low RAM optimizations.
Android 5.0/5.1 Lollipop (API Levels 21-22) – November 2014
Material design language, improved permissions model, battery optimizations.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow (API Level 23) – October 2015
Adaptive icons, runtime permissions, fingerprint authentication, desktop mode.
Android 7.0/7.1 Nougat (API Levels 24-25) – August 2016
Multi-window mode, Direct Reply notifications, Vulkan graphics API, encrypted storage.
Android 8.0/8.1 Oreo (API Levels 26-27) – August 2017
Picture-in-Picture video, autofill frameworks, notification channels, Bluetooth audio.
Android 9.0 Pie (API Level 28) – August 2018
Slices & App Actions, adaptive battery, adaptive brightness, gesture navigations.
Android 10 (API Level 29) – September 2019
Gesture navigation, bubble notifications, focus mode, privacy controls, dark theme.
Android 11 (API Level 30) – September 2020
Conversations section, one-time permissions, device controls, chat bubbles, screen recording.
Android Market Share
Android commands a massive global market share currently standing over 72% according to latest IDC data. This rise is attributed to several factors like affordability of Android devices, extensive coverage of regional markets by OEMs, and Google’s strategic partnerships with technology giants and telcos worldwide. Let’s analyze Android’s market share growth over the years:
In 2009, Android’s share was around 5% at the time of first commercial phone launch.
By 2011, it grew to about 26% surpassing Windows Mobile and became the most popular platform.
In 2013, it crossed 50% share globally due to the success of low-cost smartphones in emerging markets.
By 2015, Android reached 80% worldwide across all price segments displacing remaining competitors.
As of Q3 2020, Android commanded 72.3% of worldwide market share compared to 27% for iOS.
In terms of individual countries – Android dominates in India, China, Brazil, Indonesia with over 90% share each.
According to Statcounter,
Andrew Stroud