DAY 1 - What is this android?

Note : Today is my first day to the world of androids. I have no idea where to start. So what i am gonna do is just google 'Introduction to Android development'  and dump here  all bits and pieces which i find interesting and relevant.

Lets start with the meaning of the word 'Android'.
 And i got the following results

• An automaton that resembles a human being
• Possessing human features.
• a robot resembling a human being 

Interesting..What flashes through my mind now is this tagline -'Designed for Humans' ..So what about S2? designed for Aliens? :/ And my phone is S2 ;)

Back to android..So What is Android ?

Android is a Linux-based mobile operation system that was originally developed by Android.inc.In 2005,The Open Handset Alliance,a group led by Google, purchased Android. The Open Handset Alliance  is a group of 47 technology and mobile companies who have come together to accelerate innovation in mobile and offer consumers a richer, less expensive, and better mobile experience. Together, they have developed Android, the first complete, open, and free mobile platform - which means anyone who wants to use Android can download the full source code and customize or modify it to suit their requirements.

Android has evolved from version 1.5 Cupcake to Jelly bean which is the latest. Below are the different flavors of android released till now.

Android flavors

 

(courtesy - http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html )

Android devices in the market

• Smartphones
• Tablets
• E-reader Devices
• Notebooks
• MP4 Players
• Internet TVs

That was just a very high level overview. We can discuss on the architecture and features in the next blog.