Android

Androidis amobile operating system(OS) based on theLinux kernel and currently developed byGoogle. With auser interfacebased on direct manipulation, Android is designed primarily fortouchscreen mobile devices such assmartphonesandtablet computers, with specialized user interfaces for televisions (Android TV), cars (Android Auto), and wrist watches (Android Wear). The OS uses touch inputs that loosely correspond to real-world actions, like swiping, tapping, pinching, and reverse pinching to manipulate on-screen objects, and a virtual keyboard. Despite being primarily designed for touchscreen input, it has also been used ingame consoles,digital cameras, regular PCs, and other electronics. As of 2015, Android has the largest installed baseof all general-purpose operating systems.

As of July 2013, theGoogle Playstore has had over one million Android applications ("apps") published, and over 50 billion applications downloaded. A mobile developer survey conducted in AprilMay 2013 found that 71% of those developers develop for Androidwith Android the "priority" target platform in more cases thaniOSor other platforms as of 2015. AtGoogle I/O2014, the company revealed that there were over one billion active monthly Android users, up from 538 million in June 2013.

Android Architecture

Android FeaturesApplication FrameworkDalvik virtual machineIntegrated (web kit) browser2D and 3D graphics APIs with HWSQLiteVideo and audio codecsBluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and Wi-FiCamera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer

Applications

ChallengesCPU typically runs 500-600 MHzRAM available to an App may only be a few megabytesDisk (flash) access is very slowLifecycle - apps must pause/quit often, and restore to give the illusion that they are always runningUI designtypical screen may be HVGA (320x480)may be in portrait or landscapevery high DPI - small text may not be readabletouch resolution is very low (~25 pixel)Network access may be slow and (very)intermittent

Opportunities100s of millions of mobile phone usersVery high growth, esp. in Asia"Wild wild west" of application developmentthink 1985 on the desktop (if you were born by then)no dominant 3rd party developers.... yetwhat will the killer app categories be?what does it mean to have any app + the internet in your pocket?You can develop for it today!