Journal of Information Technology & Software Engineering
Open Access

Exponential Growth of Mobile Technology and their Impact on Android Development in Future

Ayla Elanora^{* *}Correspondence: Ayla Elanora, Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, Australia, Email:

Author info »

Description

According to its 2008 launch, Android technology has completely transformed the mobile market. Android is an opensource operating system that runs on the Linux kernel and is mostly intended for touchscreen mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones. Its adaptability, vast app ecosystem, and robust developer community are the reasons behind its widespread use. Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White created Android Inc. in 2003, and the company developed Android. After obtaining the business in 2005, Google released the Android operating system in 2007. With the introduction of the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1) in September 2008, the first commercial version of Android, version 1.0, was made available. Since then, a number of updates have brought fresh functionality and improvements to Android, causing it to undergo substantial changes. The Linux kernel, which supports Android, is responsible for essential system functions like memory management, process management, security, and hardware abstraction. Android can communicate with the underlying hardware components due to the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL), which acts as an interface between the hardware and the software framework. The runtime environment for Android is called Android Runtime (ART), and it takes the place of the previous Dalvik Virtual Machine. ART improves speed and efficiency by compiling apps into native code after installation. The Application Framework layer gives developers access to the APIs they need to make Android apps. It consists of necessary services including content providers, notifications, resource management, and activity management. The programs that users engage with are located at the topmost layer. This covers both browser-based web apps and native apps (created especially for Android).

Android's open-source nature is one of its biggest benefits. The source code is accessible to developers, who can alter it to make unique versions and applications. A healthy ecosystem with a wide variety of devices and apps has resulted from this. With Android, manufacturers may alter the operating system to perfectly fit their devices due to its wide customization capabilities. Customizing their home screens, widgets, and app layouts allows users to create a personalized user experience. The main Android app store, Google Play Store, offers millions of apps in a variety of categories, such as productivity, entertainment, and gaming. This platform allows developers commercialize their works in a number of ways, such as through in-app purchases and advertisements, by supporting both paid and free apps. With Android's support for full multitasking, users can run many apps at once. The ability for users to quickly transition between apps increases engagement and productivity. Many communication options, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near- Field Communication (NFC), and mobile data, are available on Android devices. This makes it easier to share data and integrate gadgets with other devices. Google updates Android frequently, including security patches, new features, and improvements. To keep devices secure and operating at peak efficiency, these upgrades are essential.

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and a variety of tools are used by developers to construct Android applications. The primary IDE for Android programming is Android Studio, which offers complete functionality such as code editing, debugging, and performance analysis. Java was initially used extensively in the development of Android apps. But in 2017, Google made Kotlin an official language for developing Android applications. With its contemporary programming capabilities, Kotlin exceeds Java in simplicity and expressiveness. The libraries and development tools required to create applications are provided through the Android Software Development Kit (SDK). As a design language for Android apps, Google created Material Design. With rules for layout, color, typography, and motion, Material Design prioritizes simple, user-friendly user interfaces. According to these, rules provide uniformity among programs and improve the user experience. With Android, apps must request access to certain capabilities and sensitive data, such the camera, contacts, and location. Users have more control over their personal information by being able to give or reject these rights. Android keeps on innovating and adapting as technology advances. Upcoming Android technology is being developed by several major trends. Since its release, Android technology has advanced significantly, changing the mobile market and allowing millions of users and developers to interact in ways that were never before possible. Its large software ecosystem, plenty of customization choices and open-source nature continue to attract in both developers and users. Android keeps on expanding the boundaries of technology as it develops. With ongoing developments in areas like 5G, IoT, AI, and sustainability, Android is well-positioned to maintain its relevance and influence in the IT industry for an extended period in the future.