Android reigns supreme today on the market for mobile operating systems. It is estimated that in various embodiments, the software operates almost 20 thousands of different devices – is the number of models, not copies. As for the copies, it was only in 2014 (according to data published by Strategy Analytics) went on the market more than a billion smartphones running on Android. Google’s mobile system is today the undisputed power that boldly conceives itself not only in mobile devices. It goes well eg. For television (as Android TV). But not always been so. Enjoy a fascinating tour of the world of Android, from the sources, the current state.
Android History begins in October 2003 in Palo Alto, California. Then the four men – Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White – decide to start a company with significant consequences called Android Inc.
The founders of Android Inc. They were not only enthusiastic about mobile solutions, but they also had a solid preparation and substantive grounds. Andy Rubin previously worked at Apple, WebTV and Philips corporation, was also a co-founder later acquired by Microsoft (from the point of business was one of the least successful acquisitions made by the manufacturer of Windows) from Danger, specializing in solutions for mobile platforms – mostly software, but not only. Danger’s most famous product is developed in conjunction with Motorola, the T-Mobile Sidekick, in some markets known as Danger Hiptop, this product was made, however, already long after I in 2003, Andy Rubin left the company Danger.
Rich Miner This, in turn, co-founder of Wildfire Communications, a company that – attention – in 1994 developed a solution which is in fact the ancestor of today so loud. voice assistants (ie. Siri from Apple, Cortana from Microsoft, or Google Now – nowhere :)) – then it was something to shape the answering machine, but a pioneering step in the direction of talking digital assistants was made. On an interesting: Polish Wikipedia falsely reports allegedly Miner was also a co-founder of HTC. None of these things, Taiwanese HTC had a completely different founders, and the error is unfortunately replicated by many other sites uncritically using the resources of Wikipedia. But enough of that, the credibility created collectively by an open community information sets a topic for a different article.
Nick Sears acquired his knowledge and experience on the opportunities and needs of the mobile market, where he held the position of one of the vice presidents of the telecommunications giant T-Mobile (the US branch of the company). On the other hand, Chris White before the foundation of Android Inc., he worked as a software engineer at Sun Microsystems, and later held the same position at Apple, and then designing user interfaces in WebTV Networks.
If you believe the words of Andy Rubin, called the by many father Android, the company was established to develop cunning device that would be able to read and react to, among others, the location of the user or his personal preferences. Sounds familiar, does not it? It’s just that first goal of the company Android Inc. he was not mobile operating system, at least not for mobile system (for tablets then it almost did not talk). First, the Californian company employees working on software for digital cameras. But pretty soon stewards Android Inc. they realized that “cyfrówki” is a dead end market with ever decreasing importance. Therefore they switched to software development that could compete with celebrating the triumphs developed by Symbian or Microsoft Windows Phone predecessor – Windows Mobile. Officially, the company worked on “mobile software,” and the fact that the software was not isolated applications but the entire operating system and its associated digital ecosystem was kept in strict secret. However, the work required expenditures – funds held by Rubin quickly ended and the world might never have known of today’s leader in the market of mobile operating systems, if not for one man – Stephen G. “Steve” Perlman. This American entrepreneur – CEO of Artemis Networks, on the occasion of a former employee of Microsoft and Apple – and a friend of Andy Rubin, appeared in his life in the right place and time. In difficult moments, Rubin supported one envelope containing $ 10,000 in cash. He did not want anything in return, and the proposal to become part of the shares in Rubin rejected.
Significant takeover
July 2005 was an important date in the development of as yet unknown to anyone at the time of product shaking the world today, mobile devices . At this time, Google buys for the amount of at least $ 50 million a small Californian company Android Inc. – The three co-founders (outside Sears) are employees wyszukiwarkowego giant. The operating system then still nobody heard, noted only that Google bought just next company dedicated to creating software for mobile devices. A little later, in 2006, for the first time they began to talk loudly about the fact that Google intends to appear on the mobile market, although the few people suspected that it is a product of the caliber of the operating system. Created in Google team led by Andy Rubin worked all the time over the mobile operating system based on Linux kernel.
Regardless of the software – on what has worked extensively team Rubin – Google is looking for the appropriate hardware solutions. One of the first smartphones that can in any way associate with Android was the prototype, code-named Sooner.
Google Sooner, the first prototype smartphone developed by Google mobile operating system (source: androidcentral.com) .
A glance at the Sooner enough to know the source of inspiration of Google engineers – Blackberry. Screen deprived of touch response, and physical keyboard are the characteristics of the market for light-emitting triumphs, the Canadian company Research In Motion (RIM) – the manufacturer of Blackberry smartphones.
Sooner, even though he was an advanced prototype, in fact almost finished product, was never put on the market. The reason for such a decision, as well as substantial redefinition of objectives and the work teams working at Google on mobile solutions was a device that has been shown by Steve Jobs, head of Apple’s Macworld conference in 2007, in January 2007, and eventually debuted on the market 29 June 2007 year. This device was Apple’s first-generation iPhone.
Android from the beginning until today
Very often the name “Android” is mentioned only in conjunction with Google. Search engine giant had and has much in common with the most popular mobile operating system in the world, but it is not the only institution having custody of the development of this system. Naming system developed Android only by Google is so wrong that neither Google did not invent this solution (as we already know, bought a small company called Android Inc., which developed the foundations of a mobile system based on Linux kernel) , nor is it the only company which affects the development of the system. Currently, Android is actually the product of a great business alliance with Nazi Open Handset Alliance, consisting of, in addition, of course, Google includes industry giants such as new technologies, among others, ASUS, HTC, Dell, Intel, LG, Motorola, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung and Texas Instruments. Furthermore, the alliance has not created yesterday but is accompanied by Android, its market since the beginning of the road, ie. From the time available first, yet the test (see below) version of the open operating system, which took place on 5 November 2007 (SDK, which is a suite of tools for developers for this version of the system released November 12th, 2007). Bearing in mind that the alliance is responsible not only for the development of Android, but also for many other products and technologies that have changed the face of modern civilization. Therefore let’s examine how Android has changed in recent years.
Android 0.5 Milestone 3 and 5 – the first prototype shown publicly
The first presented to the public version of Android was to issue Android 0.5 Milestone 3, presented in November 2007. It is no accident here you can see similarities to the aforementioned zarządzającgo software prototype Google Sooner, however, described here, the Android 0.5 Milestone 3 has never been presented as a system operating on a specific – even if the prototype – hardware platform. With this version you can only use emulators accompanying SDK programming kits. Like most codes published only on emulators Android 0.5 Milestone 3 was devoid of most of the characteristics of true the operating system (including many standard applications are assembled into the system). This is the first publicly available (in fact only developers – only they were able to make use of the operating system version exclusively on emulators) issue had not yet characteristic of the later versions of Android sweet code name. The system in this version lacked any desktop icons, the only active element was a small toolbar (also known as Dock ) placed in the bottom of the screen containing a set of several icons. This interface does not have a future, did not support touch and still build on the solutions adapted to the Blackberry platform, which – especially after the release of the iPhone – has become obsolete for many users, as well as engineers and programmers Google.
Android 0.5 Milestone 5 is another publicly presented version. It was shown in February 2008. This version significantly differed from the previous one, which clearly revealed the scale reshuffle and conceptual modifications caused by the release of the iPhone and tight already well-established at the time of the first commercial success of Apple’s smartphone. A la Blackberry Interface has been completely removed, instead experimented. The effect of these experiments shown in the picture above. Interactive new interface element was sort of function blocks, basically like a little sprite, though some – otherwise rightly so – this could be associated with the Marble . The element that certainly was far from being ready, was home screen version of Android that time, he was not in any way configurable, and the maximum number of applications they could use was limited to 21, does not provide for more space in the interface system. Ultimately, however, abandoned this approach, most of the ideas of Milestone 5 never found recognition in subsequent editions of Android.
Android 0.9 Beta
The beta version of Android, marked number 0.9, was published six months after the presentation of Milestone 5 release, in August 2008. For the premiere of the first final version of the mobile system being developed by Rubin and his team remained only two months, and – as we can judge from the perspective of the last time – it showed. 0.9 beta release was the first Android-like … Android. The characteristic icons of the main screen, slide-out panel applications, multiple desktops and the main screen – Android feature present in it to this day – widgets home screen (the picture above is a distinctive watch, except him two more were available: a frame with a picture and a search panel). In this version, in addition to pop-up touch screen (panel) applications also appeared retractable notifications panel. Also added a lot of completely new, previously non-existent applications, including watch with alarm, calculator, music, photos, messages, or camera. Version 0.9 beta was also the first Android device with a configurable home screen (a characteristic gesture of moving elements – icons and widgets – after their prolonged touched). This version ahead in some sense also lumniscient the triumphs of Apple’s iOS – provided access to the clipboard and related operations “copy / paste”.
Android 1.0
In October 2008, the first version of Android was ready. But it was obvious that it is impossible to present the new mobile system separately from the hardware on which it would operate. Although today it may seem quite unlikely, then Google had considerable trouble finding partners willing to work with just in terms of offering hardware running under Android. A year earlier – in 2007 – there were plans to offer in the market of devices with Android, but at home, the American market, Google has not been able to convince mobile operators themselves, and that they were a force capable to promote any mobility solution on the market. Subsequently withdrew from the cooperation giants such as Verizon, Sprint, and AT & amp; T (the latter was far more interested in cooperation with Apple, indeed fruitful for both parties). Nay, T-Mobile, the company that eventually became just Pioner on the smartphone market with Android, initially refused to cooperate with the developers of Android. Ultimately, however, problems have been overcome and HTC announces September 23rd 2008, its newest smartphone HTC Dream and the device hits the market (American) October 22, 2008 as the T-Mobile G1. World received the first androidofon . In Poland, this smartphone was known by yet another name, as T-Mobile G1 – was sold from 23 February 2009 by the company Era, one of the major mobile operators in Poland, later acquired by T-Mobile.
The main code of Android 1.0 does not differ much from the one published two months earlier beta version 0.9, but the finished product was equipped with a large set of applications: a full set of Google Apps, Gmail, Android Market (Google Play store predecessor), Voice Dialer, YouTube. The distinguishing feature of Android was just the author’s store Android Market. From the same solution Apple store, Google distinguished almost complete openness. On the one hand, this allowed application developers to fully customize the mobile system, but the other turned out to be a most gripe Android Market: the application, no matter at what functionality it could publish each, and that meant a lot of garbage in the store. This is also the first Android Web browser offers the ability to scale content and support for multiple tabs. The camera application has been and it’s basically all you can write about her, did not allow even change the image resolution, not to mention even about such details as the quality mode, exposure, white balance, etc. Gmail on Android 1.0 was pretty nasty, but allowed to manage correspondence administered via POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP sent, but it was not handled Exchange.
Android 1.1 Petit Four
the 9 February 2009 is published updated Android to version 1.1. Initially, the updated code is intended only for smartphones HTC Dream. Then the developers did not use Android still “sweet” codewords subsequent versions, but release 1.1. The internal already had his name: “Petit Four”. However, it was not used in official information on this system.
Update was primarily to eliminate errors found in first-generation system code. Has also been modified Android API (application programming interface), there are also several new features, including significantly extended the time an incoming call screen display when using the speakerphone, added a feature that allows displaying or hiding the telephone keypad. Only from this version of Android was able to save attachments in messages. In addition, application functionality is enriched Maps – search results different locations in addition to the addresses appeared the opinions and additional information (unless, of course, were available for the type of objects). In addition, the Android 1.1 introduced support for paid applications in the Android Market (not yet all programs were made available free of charge – simply creators were not made available earlier functions that allow downloading payment). Version 1.1 also offered first step down today voice search. Even then, it was possible to Voice Search (single phrase, of course, in English).
Android 1.5 Cupcake
At first glance, Cupcake, The first “sweet” Android version published on 27 April 2009, was not different from the previous release. The differences could not be seen until we activated a function not requiring text entry. Then on the screen could be first seen onscreen keyboard. Now it may seem strange, but the first generation of Android (as well as update 1.1) was deprived of something as obvious today as on-screen keyboard. In part this can be explained by the HTC Dream / T-Mobile / T-Mobile G1 was equipped with its own keyboard. But it was a significant reduction in the number of producers who do not want to construct more difficult and more expensive in production models equipped with a real keyboard. Cupcake endured this restriction starting in essence Android march towards many OEMs. The introduction of virtual onscreen keyboard also meant the emergence accompanying this feature capabilities such as. Auto-complete text, dictionary, as well as the possibility of replacing the system another version of the virtual keyboard.
Not only the keyboard was a novelty. Cupcake is the first Android capable of recording and decoding video in today commonly used MPEG-4 and 3GP format. Only since this version can be automatically evaporate smartphone Bluetooth devices including those with support for stereo sound transmission through a wireless interface (A2DP / AVRCP). Cupcake also added a few other tidbits, such as. The user can assign photos to contacts, clipboard functionality in a Web browser, animated scrolling, and automatic screen rotation. Moreover, in the current of the first Android YouTube app for the first time there is a possibility upload video directly from your smartphone.
Android 1.6 Donut
Donut – typical cake with a hole, often mistakenly called the Polish donut, sometimes – more accurately – oponką. Such a code name given to the next version of Android, issued September 15, 2009 year. Donut lot of news had hidden “under the hood”, concerned include enable application developers to insert their content in search results, expanding the text search functions and voice on contacts or browser history or adding more possibilities in the use of CDMA / EVDO (which meant that Android can be used as a system in smartphones used by virtually all mobile operators ), connections or VPN channels to develop substantial Motor text-to-speech. Donut was also the first Android fully prepared for screens with a resolution of WVGA (768 x 480 pixels).
In addition to changes in inside but could not miss and improvements visible to the ordinary users. The camera application has achieved a much greater integration with the gallery, with a single application could take a photo, record a video and watch the results. In addition, someone finally noticed that users love to take pictures. However, not all are successful, the part needs to be removed – just Donut make available so obvious today function as the possibility of wholesale selection of the photographs to be deleted.
Android 2.0 – 2.1 Éclair
The next generation does not have to wait long. Just over a month after the publication of donuts the world receives as eklerkę , or Android 2.0 – it was published on 26 October 2009. Despite a change of generation, this version of Android is still based on the same version of the Linux kernel, as the previous edition (Linux kernel 2.6.29). However, despite staying at the same kernel modifications that amount was large enough that a change in the major version number of the system was justified.
Éclair is the first edition of Android introducing significant visual changes in the interface. Google graphic unless a point of honor accepted the task of redesigning nearly every icons and controls on the system. These changes were necessary, however, mainly due to the much higher resolution screens of smartphones. Screen resolution HTC Dream – the first Android hardware was only 320 x 480 pixels. Meanwhile, the flagship machine already working with Adnroid second generation was loudly promoted in the United States smartphone Motorola Droid, was equipped with a screen resolution of 854 x 480 pixels, which even today, after more than five years would be considered a pretty decent value. Change the display options, however, forced the graphic redesign of the system.
Android 2.0 was first edition, which allowed storage of data (and their synchronization) to multiple Google Accounts. Another important feature for many users it was adding support for Microsoft Exchange mail servers, which enabled Android devices to access the corporate world, where the company’s post was supported by the Microsoft servers. The camera application finally gained meaningful functionality – appeared in her support flash, white balance adjustment, different focus modes (including, for example. Macro mode), digital zoom and several other news. Search System she learned also search archived SMS and MMS . Text suggestions as you type content has been enriched by the opportunity to propose names of contacts and learn the most common mode input from the user phrases. Eklerka is also upgraded browser, which appeared thumbnails of tabs, support dual screen pop or compliance with HTML5. Éclair code name was retained for the two subsequent update of Android 2.0.1 and 2.1. In both cases the main motivation for the changes were upgrades of Android API and the removal of detected errors. Future versions of eklerek did not contain functional changes visible to the user.
Android 2.2 Froyo
Another dessert Android developers team prepared May 20 2010. Froyo, or frozen yogurt (with English. fro Zen yo ghurt) is one of the most successful and longest-operating in the market version of Android. It is interesting to indicate that Froyo was issued generation (with updates) longer than his successor (Gingerbread). The system offered greater flexibility in personalization and customization main screen.
The popularity Froyo also stemmed from the fact that the creators of Android in this version of Marxism on the optimization of the code in terms of the efficiency of memory usage and performance. Changes “inside” was more. Froyo Android is the first in which the system is equipped with a web browser Chrome V8 JavaScript engine and support for Adobe Flash. It is also the first Android, which operated a service Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM) or in simpler terms, service notifications sent by Push . Today, the fact that the new e-mail “come themselves” to your smartphone treated as a matter of course. This “evidence” existed in Android Froyo.
frozen yogurt , as befits a delicious blend of milk, contained significantly more curiosities. He served screens with high resolution (up to 320 ppi), allow you to control data connections over cellular networks. Along with Froyo to Android smartphones also went Fi Hotspot feature allows you to use your phone as a wireless access point. Android 2.2 update was also important for companies whose employees were using smartphones with this system. With the extended use of Exchange servers it was possible not only synchronize e-mail, but also calendar. In addition, the smartphone could be subject to security policies, and administrators have the ability to remotely emergency cleaning of sensitive corporate data. From the usable important function of this generation of Android was the ability to install applications on a memory card, rather than in internal memory.
The system was so successful that the first update with bug fixes and patches security flaws appeared 18 January 2011 year (Froyo 2.2.1). The patch was less successful from a system that has improved – four days later issued another version: 2.2.2, which mending error on SMS on smartphones Nexus One. Last updated Froyo was published on 21 November 2011 of the year and contains only patches vulnerabilities in the mobile system.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread
The next edition of Android, in principle, should not be They are called “another”. Although Gingerbread was released a little later than Froyo, because on 6 December 2010, but both versions of Android coexisted in the public space, contributing to the fragmentation of the Android platform on the market. Gingerbread is another significant modification of the appearance of the system, the system was modified significantly screens. Again, the change was in part forced by ever higher resolution screens of mobile devices. Gingerbread was a version adapted to work with screens even higher than the resolution of WXGA (1366 x 786 pixels).
Let’s leave the graphic nuances of what functionality? Android 2.3 is the first generation of proximity interface that supports NFC (Near Field Communication), also appeared brand new, system download manager that gives users convenient access to collected data, regardless of whether the stored smartphone file came from a Web page, Annex mail or another, connecting to the internet application. Gingerbread also introduced a streamlined system storage (to copy a word that word was enough to touch the screen and hold a moment). This version of Android also offered more multimedia capabilities than Froyo – eg. The system was able to decode AAC audio streams or video format WebM / VP8. It is worth noting that only the Gingerbread can speak of selfies , that is how popular among some users of social networking photographic self-portraits. It was the first Android supports more than one camera / digital camera in your mobile device. Had a code name Gingerbread release of Android also numbered 2.3.1 (released in December 2010) and 2.3.2 (released in January 2011), but both updates were intended only for smartphone Google Nexus S (which is slightly altered the Samsung Galaxy S -
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