Android's mobile operating system is based on the Linux kernel and is the world's best-selling Smartphone.

There are currently over 200,000 apps available for Android that are made accessible through the Android Market, which is the online app store run by Google. The apps are primarily written in Java.

The Android operating system, including the Linux kernel, contains approximately 12 million lines of code. In this there are: 3 million lines of XML, 2.8 million lines of C, 2.1 million lines of Java, and 1.75 million lines of C++.

Android Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in October, 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. Their goal was to develop a "smarter mobile device that was more aware of its owner's location and preferences. They operated secretively, admitting only that they were working on software for mobile phones.

Google acquired Android Inc. in August, 2005, making Android Inc. a wholly owned part of Google Inc. Nick Sears was the only original founder that did not stay with Android Inc. after the acquisition. At this point in time, many assumed that Google was planning to enter the mobile phone market with this move.

Once at Google, Rubin led a team to develop a mobile device platform powered by the Linux kernel. Google marketed the platform to handset makers and carriers with the intent of providing a flexible, upgradable system. This caused speculation about Google's intention to enter the mobile communications market to build.

On October 21st, 2008, Android 1.0 became available to the public. "Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models. -Eric Schmidt, former Google Chairman/CEO

Android Market application download and updates through the Market app Web browser to show, zoom and pan full HTML and XHTML web pages - multiple pages show as windows ("cards")Video Camera support, but no way to change resolution, white balance, quality, etc. Folders allow the grouping of a number of app icons into a single folder icon on the Home screen. Email provides access to email servers commonly found on the Internet and supports POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP. Gmail synchronization with the Gmail app Google Contacts synchronization with the People app Google Calendar synchronization with the Calendar app Google Maps with Latitude and Street View to view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions using GPS

Google Search of the internet and phone apps, contacts, calendar, etc. Google Talk instant messaging. Instant messaging, text messaging, and MMS. Media Player enables managing, importing, and playing back but lacked video and stereo Bluetooth support Notifications appear in the Status bar - drag down to see details, also ringtone, LEDs and vibration options. Voice Dialer allows dialing and placing of phone calls without typing a name or number Wallpaper allows the user to set the background image or photo behind the Home screen icons and widgets. YouTube video player. Other apps include: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Dialer (Phone), Home screen (launcher), Pictures (Gallery), and Settings. Other supported features include: WiFi, and Bluetooth.

Handset Layouts

The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D graphics library based on OpenGL ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts. SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes

Storage

Connectivity

Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EVDO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (no connections through Proxy server and no Ad hoc wireless network) LTE, NFC and WiMAX.

Messaging

Multiple Language Support

SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and now Android Cloud to Device Messaging Framework is also a part of the Android Messaging service. Several languages are available on Android. The number of languages more than doubled for the platform 2.3. However, it lacks font rendering of several languages even after official announcements of added support. The web browser available for Android uses the open-source WebKit layout engine, along with Chrome's JavaScript engine.

Web Browser