Android O.S.: What, How & Why Tweet

Android is a mobile operating system owned by Google Inc., who acquired it from Android Inc., a small startup company based in Palo Alto, California, USA. As of Q4 2010 Android O.S. was the world's best-selling smartphone platform, dethroning Nokia's Symbian from the 10-year top position. As Symbian used to rule the roost, especially in India, it will be useful to look at it from that angle.

The main difference is that Android is a 'connected' OS. i.e for example: Once you enter your Gmail account details (If you don't have it, it asks you to create one), it starts syncing your e-mail, contacts and calendar from the cloud. Each new e-mail you get is subsequently pushed to your phone. While the Gtalk feature is always there for instant chat feature. The Facebook and Twitter official clients on Android are as smooth as they come, while the browser is in the same league as Apple Safari, which is a good enough compliment. While discussing components it is important to mention that the world orders have shifted and people walking to buy a smartphone are rarely interested in 'How many megapixel is the camera?'

Mhz (megahertz) is the new MP.

To make it simple: there are 3 main brands making processors for Android phones (Tegra not being considered).

• Qualcomm
• Samsung
• Texas

Out of the above, by far the most-used platform is the qualcomm 600 Mhz processor (MSM 7227) used in a wide range of devices from the affordable Andro A60 to the premium and sexy HTC legend. It is a good processor and good enough to handle some multitasking. But still it will not allow you to play all new HD games coming out. Still, it is a very good choice.

Snapdragon 800 Mhz (MSM 7230): Used in phones like the newer qwertified Desire Z and some other HTC phones and also in the upcoming Sony Experia Arc and maybe the new playstation phone. This is a new power efficient chip that comes with upgraded Adreno chip 205, that enables it to trash the older snapdragon 1 Ghz (QSD 8250) in graphics performance, inspite of the lower clock speed.

Given below are the version history of Android O.S. developed by Google Inc. and the Open Handset Alliance. They are updates which aim at fixing bugs and adding new features.

Version history

1.0	Released 23 September 2008
1.1	On 9 February 2009, Android 1.1 update for Android was released for T-Mobile G1 Only. Included in the update were: Multiple resolved issues API changes Maps adds details and reviews Screen timeout longer when using speakerphone "Show" & "Hide" Dialpad included in-call menu Support for saving attachments from MMS Support for marquee in layouts
1.5 (Cupcake) Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.27	On 30 April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) update for Android was released. There were several new features and UI updates included in the 1.5 update: Ability to record and watch videos through camcorder mode Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone A new soft-keyboard with text-prediction Bluetooth A2DP and AVRCP support Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance New widgets and folders that can populate the Home screens Animated screen transitions
1.6 (Donut) Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.29	On 15 September 2009, the 1.6 (Donut) SDK was released. Included in the update were: An improved Android Market experience An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface Gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native applications, including the ability to dial contacts Updated search experience to allow searching bookmarks, history, contacts, and the web from the home screen Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine Support for WVGA screen resolutions Speed improvements in searching and camera applications Gesture framework and GestureBuilder development tool Google free turn-by-turn navigation
2.0 / 2.1 (Eclair) Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.29	On 26 October 2009, the 2.0 (Eclair) SDK was released. Changes included: Optimized hardware speed Support for more screen sizes and resolutions Revamped UI New Browser UI and HTML5 support New contact lists Better contrast ratio for backgrounds Improved Google Maps 3.1.2 Microsoft Exchange Server by Exchange ActiveSync 2.5 support Built in flash support for Camera Digital Zoom MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events Improved virtual keyboard Bluetooth 2.1 Live Wallpapers The 2.0.1 SDK was released on 3 December 2009. The 2.1 SDK was released on 12 January 2010.
2.2 (Froyo) Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.32 (2.2.2 latest release)	On 20 May 2010, the 2.2 (Froyo) SDK was released. Changes included: General Android OS speed, memory, and performance optimizations Additional application speed improvements courtesy of JIT implementation Integration of Chrome's V8 JavaScript Engine into the Browser application Increased Microsoft Exchange support (security policies, auto-discovery, GAL look-up, calendar synchronization, remote wipe) Improved application launcher with shortcuts to Phone and Browser applications USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality Added an option to disable data access over mobile network Updated Market application with batch and automatic update features Quick switching between multiple keyboard languages and their dictionaries Voice dialing and contact sharing over Bluetooth Support for numeric and alphanumeric passwords Support for file upload fields in the Browser application Support for installing applications to the expandable memory Adobe Flash 10.1 support Support for extra high DPI screens (320 dpi), such as 4" 720p
2.3 (Gingerbread) Based on Linux Kernel 2.6.35(2.3.3 latest version)	On 6 December 2010, the 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released. Changes included: Updated user interface design Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions (WXGA and higher) Native support for SIP VoIP telephony Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost Support for Near Field Communication System-wide Copy-paste functionalities Redesigned multi-touch software keyboard Enhanced support for native code development Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers Concurrent garbage collection for increased performance Native support for more sensors (such as gyroscopes and barometers) A download manager for long-running downloads Improved power management and application control Native support for multiple cameras Switched from YAFFS to the ext4 filesystem
3.0 (Honeycomb)	On 26 January 2011, a preview of the 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK was released. Changes include: Optimized tablet support with a new user interface Three dimensional desktop with redesigned widgets Refined multi-tasking Browser enhancements including tabbed web pages, form auto-fill, bookmark syncing with Google Chrome, and private browsing Support for video chat using Google Talk Hardware acceleration Support for multi-core processors
Ice Cream Sandwich	Possible mid-2011 release.

Now lets see a comparison of Android O.S. with other major brands in the market:

Smartphone Operating System	User Interface (On Scale of 10)	Application Availability (On Scale of 5)	Total (On Scale of 15)
iPhone OS	9	4.5	13.5
Android	9	4	13
Windows Phone 7	9	2	11
Symbian 3	7	2.5	9.5
BlackBerry OS 6	7	2.5	9.5
Windows Mobile 6.5	6	3	9
Symbian S60	6	2.5	8.5
BlackBerry OS 5	6	2.5	8.5

Clearly Android O.S. and IPHONE O.S. emerge as the winners. However there is a slight advantage of android over IPHONE which comes under the sections of 'Price' and 'variety'.

Here are some of the steps to be followed when your considering to purchase a Android mobile:

1. Check out the Android version of the phone you are buying. Most phones nowadays are coming with Eclair 2.1 out of the box or even 2.2 Froyo. But some phones like Moto Backflip are still stuck in history, and are best avoided.

2. Cameras: Unfortunately till now Android has failed to produce a phone, that has a camera that will output pictures that will make you go 'WOW, is that from a phone?'

The way you perhaps go for N8 or used to go for K790/K750 years ago. But still if this feature matters then Sony X10 has the best camera closely followed by Motorola XT720. Then we have the impressive duo of X10 Mini's and Galaxy S.

But then the standards have been raised so high in the previous years that any of the camphones will do for a casual shot.

3. Multimedia performance: Well if you consider video players then Samsung Galaxy S plays everything. From your SD avi's, to 720P MKV's (atleast some of them) . Most of the older HTC and Motorola phones do not come with codec support other then H264 and 3GPP, thus making it necessary to trans-code the video or to get a better media player like Rock Player.

But still those videos will lack hardware acceleration which does wonders for video clarity and battery life. Thus if media is a concern then get a Samsung or LG phone.

These are the preferred phones but you should also make the choice based on your preference for one particular feature or other.

Rs 8K-9K: Samsung Galaxy 5

Rs 11K-12K: LG Optimus One

Rs 16K-18K: Motorola Defy

Rs 20K-22K: HTC Desire

Rs 24K-25K: Samsung Galaxy S/ Nexus S/HTC Desire Z

Greater than Rs 25K: It really makes sense to wait for the new dual cores to rear their heads and pricing, as it will make for a better and informed choice.

Camera freaks: SE X10 or Moto XT 720

Media junkies: Samsung Galaxy S

Workaholics: HTC Desire Z/Motorola Milestone 2

Budget conscious: LG Optimus One (P500)