Android+Operating+System

= Android Operating System =

toc The Android operating system or platform, founded by technology pioneer and current Google Vice President of Mobile, Andy Rubin, allows users to experience Google and other web applications, such as mobile catalogs for public libraries, via smart phones, tablets and a host of other mobile devices. One of the reasons why Android is accessible on so many different devices is that it is open source software, acquired by Google, that allows different manufactures to make modifications to it that suit their brands and customer bases.

Though the first Android operated phone, which debuted in 2008, was not very successful, Rubin continued at it and has seen what hard work and ambition can do. Android is now the #1 smart phone platform in the United States and the fastest growing platform in the world. Android phones accounted for over 50% of the global market in the last quarter. Despite the software's capability to run on a small network, only about 300 MB (or 40 MP3 songs), the ease of use makes a major impression with users and software developers alike.



Pros and Cons of Android
Unlike Apple, Android is an open-source program, allowing a variety of device makers to use its program and apps. Another benefit of the Android operating system has, much like it's rivalry, Apple, is the technical impossibility of an outage like Blackberry users experienced. Blackberry, run by RIM- Research In Motion, collects emails and text messages from carriers and pass them along to the users or recipients. They do the “dirty” work of filtering through the information but this increases the likelihood of a major system outage, like the one in October 2011. Should Android powered phones ever experience any outages, however, it would most likely be due to the actual wireless provider (Verizon or Sprint) or the messaging service provider (Gmail or Hotmail) and not the actual phone maker. While the Android platform allows for multiple users and companies to benefit from its open source nature, there does exist a downside. Any phone maker can code Android's features to suit their needs which can lead to less fluid service and/or products. Constant changes to the coding could lead to several “versions” of Android being on the market. However, this may very well prove to work the benefit of Android rather than their downfall.

The Growth and Future of Android
According to a 2010 article published in Newsweek, Android expects to experience much growth over the next few years, when Android may have "25 percent market share in smart phones more than double Apple's 11 percent share." However, Android's growth is not limited to the mobile phone sector. In 2009, users were able to download versions of the Android operating system onto their PCs.

Also, many tablets are being placed on the market with the Android operating system. These trends are expected to continue and grow in popularity as the open source nature of Android typically equates to more affordable products in comparison to Apple exclusive, but expensive products.