The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) was a collaborative consortium founded by Google and other technology companies to advance the development and promotion of the Android operating system.
Android, created by Google, is an open-source mobile operating system that has become the world's most widely used OS for smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The OHA brought together various stakeholders, including device manufacturers, wireless carriers, and software developers, to support Android's growth.
The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) was a consortium of technology companies that came together to develop and promote the Android operating system for mobile devices. The OHA was founded in 2007 and was led by Google. Its primary goal was to create an open and standardized platform for mobile devices that would be freely available to manufacturers and developers, enabling them to create a wide variety of Android-powered devices.
Key points about the Open Handset Alliance include:
Google played a central role in driving Android's development and was the leading force within the OHA. Android's open nature allowed developers to create applications and services, contributing to the platform's rapid expansion.
Over time, Google's influence within the Android ecosystem grew, leading to a more centralized approach. While the OHA's role diminished, Android's market dominance continued. Android remains a key part of Google's overall strategy, shaping the mobile technology landscape worldwide.
- Founding Members: - The OHA was initially founded by Google, along with several other prominent companies in the technology and mobile industry, including HTC, Samsung, T-Mobile, Motorola, Qualcomm, and Intel, among others. Over time, many other companies joined the alliance.
- Android OS:- The primary focus of the OHA was the development and promotion of the Android operating system. Android is an open-source, Linux-based operating system designed for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. It has since become the dominant operating system in the mobile device market.
- Open Source:- Android is known for its open-source nature, which means that its source code is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This open approach encouraged innovation and led to a wide range of Android devices from various manufacturers.
- Ecosystem:- The OHA aimed to create a robust ecosystem for Android, which included a vast app marketplace (Google Play Store) and a thriving developer community. This helped Android grow rapidly and compete with other mobile operating systems like iOS.
- Compatibility:- Member companies of the OHA agreed to certain compatibility requirements to ensure that Android devices from different manufacturers would be compatible with one another. This promoted interoperability and a consistent user experience across various devices.
- Market Dominance:- Android has become the most widely used mobile operating system worldwide, powering a large percentage of smartphones and tablets. Its open nature and the support of the OHA member companies played a significant role in this success.
- Evolution:- The Open Handset Alliance has evolved over the years, with some members leaving and new ones joining. While the organization itself may not be as prominent today, its legacy and the Android operating system continue to shape the mobile industry.
- Google's Role: Google, as the primary driver behind the OHA, played a crucial role in the development and promotion of Android. Google's suite of services and apps, including Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, and more, have been tightly integrated into Android, contributing to the platform's popularity.
Over time, Google's influence within the Android ecosystem grew, leading to a more centralized approach. While the OHA's role diminished, Android's market dominance continued. Android remains a key part of Google's overall strategy, shaping the mobile technology landscape worldwide.
Welcome! The fact that you guys are reading this, means you are keen about learning how to write an Android Application by your own. In today's world Mobile Application market is exploding and specially Android has emerged in a very short time, holding the top position against other competitors like iOS, Blackberry, Windows & others.
Each technology(Operating System) has their own userbase but Android has been able to cover the largest userbase in the world. In this first tutorial we will see, what is Android, its versions and what features it has had since 2005 that has helped it to be where it is now? Lastly, we will also try to understand the Android Architecture.
What is Android?
Android is an open-source mobile operating system developed by Google. It is designed primarily for touchscreen devices like smartphones and tablets, but it's also used in various other types of devices such as smart TVs, smartwatches, and even some laptops.
Key characteristics and features of Android include:
1. Open Source: Android is open-source, meaning its source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This open nature has encouraged a large community of developers and manufacturers to use and contribute to the Android platform.
2. Customization: Android offers a high degree of customization, both for device manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users. Manufacturers can adapt the Android OS to their specific hardware, and users can personalize their devices with various apps, widgets, and settings.
3. App Ecosystem: Android has a vast ecosystem of applications available through the Google Play Store. This extensive library of apps covers everything from productivity tools to games and entertainment.
4. Multi-Tasking: Android supports true multitasking, allowing users to run multiple apps simultaneously and switch between them with ease.
5. Notifications: Android provides a rich notification system that keeps users informed of updates, messages, and events from various apps.
6. Integration with Google Services: Android is closely integrated with Google's suite of services, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Drive, offering a seamless experience for users who use Google's ecosystem.
7. Security: Android places a strong emphasis on security, with features such as app sandboxing, regular security updates, and biometric authentication options.
8. Regular Updates: Google releases new versions of Android on a regular basis, introducing new features, performance improvements, and security enhancements.
9. Support for Various Devices: Android is adaptable to a wide range of devices, from low-end budget smartphones to high-end flagship devices, as well as other forms of consumer electronics.
10. Community and Development: Android has a vibrant and active development community, with developers creating custom ROMs, apps, and providing support through online forums.
As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Android was the most widely used mobile operating system globally, powering a vast number of smartphones and other devices. Please note that the Android ecosystem evolves rapidly, and there may have been updates or changes since that time.
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