Introduction to Android

Android is a Java-based operating system that runs on the Linux 2.6 kernel, developed by Google and later the Open Handset Alliance. It allows developers to write managed code in a Java-like language that utilizes Google-developed Java libraries, but does not support programs developed in native code. The system is very lightweight and full featured.

Features of Android

• Android apps can be developed on any platform (Windows XP and Vista, Linux, and Mac OS)
• Anyone can develop and launch an Android application.
• Android applications can be available in the Android Market instantly.
• Android supports touch screen, accelerometer, GPS, WiFi, SMS, still camera, MMS, video camera and Bluetooth.
• Android has some fresh ideas like Google Maps "street view" and customizable home page.
• Applications on an Android handset can run in parallel.
• Accelerated 3-D graphics engine (based on hardware support).
• Integrated web browser.
• Third-party applications are executed with the same system priority as those that are bundled with the core system.