Meaning of Android
Android is an operating system that was created especially for phones with a touch screen , the so-called new generation or smart phones , common tablets and those that work with telephone lines; Entering into this range smart watches , televisions and some accessories for new cars, this company called Android Inc , was backed by Google , which in 2005 Google itself took over buying for several million dollars, foreseeing that this new platform in the advanced technology of standards in mobile devices was a good business in the future.
It is an operating system designed for touch devices ranging from cell phones, through smart watches and Android TV, to automobiles. It was created by Google and was based on the Linux system, currently it is considered the most used operating system worldwide.
From the etymological point of view Android (android in Spanish), in the particular case the name of the operating system is based on “ Do androids dream of electric sheep? ”By Philip Dick . On the other hand, the term android in Spanish comes from the Greek andro, which means man and the word eidos which refers to an appearance or image .
Android history
After the purchase of Android Inc. by Google in 2005, it was not until 2007 when, through an alliance between different companies related to the technology area, they came together to develop a new operating system, thus announcing the development of Android. 1, the first version of it, which had a launch date in the first terminals for 2008.
Android's main co-founders include Rich Miner, Andy Rubin, Nick Sears, and Chris White . On the other hand, some of the companies that were part of the technology consortium called " Open Handset Alliance " and that participated in the development of the system were Samsung Electronics, Broadcom, Texas Instruments, Nvidia, LG, Intel, T-Mobile, Motorola, among others.
The first version was called Apple Pie and was launched on September 23, 2008 , it had its own virtual application store, but only Android games and free applications were allowed at that time, it also had basic applications such as the calendar, Gmail, and an old version of YouTube and the typical unlocking pattern of these terminals was included for the first time.
The versions of the system from 1 to 9 consisted of names of desserts in English , arranged alphabetically as the versions progressed, this was the case for ten years, until the arrival of version 10, from which the Names simply correspond to the version of the operating system.
Likewise, since 2013 a tool called Android studio has been available, intended for the development of different applications for said operating system , available for Windows from version 2003 and for MacOS from version 10.8.5 onwards.
Android Features
Like any operating system , it has particular characteristics that differentiate it from the rest, based mainly on innovation, but with simplicity of designs for a more aesthetic and easy-to-use interface.
Design
At first, the system had been designed for use on cell phones with a keyboard and moving around the screen through a cursor, however, since its launch in 2008 it was exclusively for touch terminals .
Unlike other operating systems, this has the characteristic of being developed in open software , this gives it a greater degree of customization.
On the other hand, the design of its interface consists of beauty and simplicity , with increasingly minimalist and neat details, making the design visually totally pleasant, which added to its functionality makes it an excellent option on the market.
Applications
Most of the applications are made through the Java language , for the development of these there are various tools ranging from the official Android Software Development Kit , to simpler tools such as Android studio.
By default, the default tool for downloading and purchasing applications and games for the operating system is Google Play , as for paid applications, these are acquired through Android Pay services , available from version 4.4 onwards.
One of the components most used by users is Android games, they are getting more and more downloads , being among the most popular Fornite Android, Pokémon Go and Call of Duty. Even games have become so popular in recent years that users use Android emulators and retro roms to play through the pc.
Safety
In general terms, security in devices that run with this operating system is easy to configure and, based on the needs and requirements of the user, it can have different levels.
In principle, it allows certain options such as being able to root out the Google history associated with Gmail devices and accounts, this allows the user to have greater control and confidence in relation to personal data.
It also allows, through the Android device manager, to activate the option to find my Android , which allows you to geographically locate a lost or stolen device through GPS.
As for the devices as such, it offers various locking options that range from the traditional password (method recommended by Google as the most effective), to the use of pin, unlock pattern and, in the most current devices, fingerprint unlocking. .
Another feature that is also important and available in the security section of the devices and contemplated in the Android device manager, is that it not only gives you the option to search for my Android, it also allows you to block the terminal system in case of theft .
On the other hand, it is always important to be cautious when downloading applications from unofficial sites, visiting links or simply downloading images or videos and in addition to this, keep the device protected using one of the many antivirus available on Google Play.
Upgrades
Currently the operating system consists of a large number of updates available both for the system itself and for the different applications that are part of the devices.
These updates are adapted to the version of the operating system and can be obtained automatically, when the device notifies that there are better ones available for download, which usually occurs annually, but depends on the model of the device or manually.
Android versions
Currently there are 11 versions of this system , of which 7 are discontinued (however, some devices continue to use some of the latest versions of this group) and version 12 is in the preliminary phase, with an official launch date for August 2021.
Android Cupcake
It is an old version of this mobile operating system , launched in 2009. Currently, it is discontinued and the program that succeeded it was the Android Donut. Google was the company that was responsible for the development and subsequent distribution of this product, as an improvement that came out of the previous edition of the parent program for smartphones.
In April 2009, the improvements carried out within this application were seen for the first time . With it, the interface and accessibility within the device changed very little, but it offered some improvements. However, it was not as successful as expected, so it was soon replaced by a new edition of Android.
Android Donut
It is a discontinued version of the third version belonging to the Android operating system , which was preceded by the one called Cupcake and succeeded by the Eclair. In the same way, it was developed by the Google company , being used mainly for those mobile touch devices, such as smartphones and tablets. It was released in 2009 , only five months after the version before it, due to minor equipment failures.
Android Eclair
The operating system was distributed only a month after the release of its predecessor , the Android Donut, which had a not very attractive interface and did not have all the options incorporated in the new version. In October 2009, the final product, developed by Google, was shown to the public, in which it presented major changes with respect to the interface, in addition to the manageability.
Android Froyo
Froyo is a discontinued mobile phone operating system for Android . It was a code written by the Google company, a leader and pioneer in this type of system. Froyo is the 2010 version under identification 2.2 and its representative icon consists of a sweet froyo or in Spanish, which is equivalent to a yogurt with ice cream.
It was launched as an Android operating system in May 2010 by Google, it is version 2.2 of the line for cell phones and mobile devices . It was characterized by its USB anchor, allowing mobile terminals to expand their connectivity with more complex equipment, and Wi-Fi access points were also incorporated, with which data transmission via wireless was already a reality for this system.
Android Gingerbread
Gingerbread is the name of one of the versions of Android , the seventh exactly. It is an operating system for smart devices developed by Google. It was released in 2010, in the month of December with the update identification number as Android 3.0 ; this time the gingerbreads were taken as the image of their system (Gingerbread), thus fulfilling the alphabetical sequence for sweets.
On December 6, 2010, Google announced the release of its new update with version 3.0; which was represented by a gingerbread taking as an icon the traditional gingerbread men.
Android HoneyComb
Honeycomb is a version of this operating system developed by Google and which is preceded by Android Gingerbread and succeeded by Android Ice Cream Sandwich. It is its eighth version and its main feature is that it was designed to run only on tablet devices . It is an operating system of the Google Inc family for smart terminals.
Android Ice Cream Sandwich
It is the ninth version for smart terminals, it was launched under the name 4.0 in October 2011 and with the image of the Ice Cream Sandwich, which in Spanish means ice cream sandwich. It is an operating system developed by Google Inc, whose predecessor to the Honeycomb version and its successor, the Android Jelly Bean.
The operating system Ice Cream Sandwich or Android 4. (It was also called by its acronym in English as ICS) is a system developed by the Google company for smartphones at the end of 2011. It is a discontinued version of Android systems . It is mainly based on the quality of serving both smartphones and tablets, that is, for any smart device, it is the result of Google's efforts to unify operating systems .
Android Jelly Bean
It is the tenth version of Android as an operating system for smartphones or smart terminals, developed by Google Inc. It was launched on July 24, 2012 with the characteristic sweet icon of gummies or gummies, it is preceded by the Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) version and succeeded by Android Kitkat. It was presented as a faster and more optimized OS.
Although no major changes were incorporated in the interface, the strength was in the speed with which the operating system was going to move the devices that used it , the execution of the applications would be in a more fluid way.
Android KitKat
KitKat is the name of the eleventh version of this operating system or Android 4.4, developed by Google Inc in October 2013, the official launch date, accompanied by the launch of the Nexus 5, being the first smart device to use it.
The dessert that characterizes this version is KitKat chocolate from the Nestlé company . It is an operating system preceded by Android Jelly Bean and succeeded by Android Lollipop.
Android Lollipop
This is version number twelve, also known as Android 5.0 ; was developed by Google and released on June 25, 2014 (official release date); as is customary, the first devices to use them were those of the Nexus line.
The lollipop was used as its alphabetical sweet that characterizes Android operating systems, in Spanish it means Chupeta or lollipop , it is preceded by Android 4.4 (KitKat and succeeded by Android Marshmallow).
Android Marshmallow
It is version 6.0 and it brings with it the sweet Marshmallow as its image. It is an operating system developed by Google Inc, released in May 2015 under the name Android M and officially named Android Marshmallow in August of the same year.
It is preceded by Android Lollipop and succeeded by the so far Android N. Marshmallow means marshmallow in Spanish and with this name Google ensures its continuity with sweets in alphabetical order.
Android Nougat
It is considered the seventh official version of the operating system, launched in August 2016, it has the distinction of being the first to allow the parallel view of two applications through a split screen .
It also includes improvements at the level of battery saving , as well as a more dynamic interface for notifications, grouping them by application in the tab. Nougat in Spanish means nougat, continuing with the names of sweets for the identification of their operating systems.
Android Oreo
Released in principle for developers in March 2017 as a Beta version and available to the general public as of August 2017 , it is the eighth official version of the operating system.
Among its improvements, almost all are directed more towards the stability of the system compared to its previous version than in the interface as such.
Android Pie
It consists of the ninth version of the operating system, officially launched in August 2018, its name in Spanish means cake, it was the last operating system launched with a name referring to desserts or sweets .
It integrates a large number of improvements in the devices that use it, mainly at the camera, screen, battery, notifications, audio and video level, as well as in the security and privacy options.
Android 10
Launched in September 2019 in its final and official version, together with the announcement by Google of the end of the names referring to sweets .
Among its advanced functions, it presents at the interface level the application of a dark mode for the entire system, as well as the compatibility with the use of 5G networks , along with a great variety of improvements at the usability level.
Tutorials for Android
Here are a series of simple tutorials to solve the most common doubts and needs of operating system users.
How to download and update Android
When the launch of the operating system is official and is available for mobile.
- Access settings.
- Later phone information.
- System updates.
- Accept the terms of service.
- If available, the download and installation starts.
How to download apps
To download games and applications, the following steps must be followed:
- Enter Google Play.
- In the search engine, place the application you want to install.
- Click on install.
- Accept terms and conditions.
- Automatically starts the download and installation.
How to restore Android
The steps to perform a system restore, leaving the device with its factory settings is simple and the steps are as follows:
- Enter the system settings section.
- Press "recovery options".
- Then select delete all data.
- Then press "reset phone".
How to take screenshots
In general, it will depend on the brand and model of the cell phone, as well as the version of Android available. Some options are as follows:
- Open the screen you want to capture at that moment.
- Depending on the version of the device, these are some of the ways that can be tried:
- Press the power and volume down buttons at the same time.
- Hold down the power button for a few seconds and then press capture screen.
How to check the Android version
To know the exact version of the system with which a device runs, the following steps must be followed:
- Enter applications.
- Select settings and then about phone.
- Press "Android version".
How to find my Android device
In order to locate or block a device the following conditions must be met:
- The device is on.
- A Google account must be logged into it.
- Be connected to Wi-Fi or use mobile data.
- Being active the option to be visible on Google Play.
- Have device location turned on.
- Activate the "find my device" function in settings and security.
How to activate dark mode in WhatsApp
To carry out this configuration, the following steps must be followed, additionally it must be ensured that you have the specific version that allows this configuration.
- Inside the application look for more options and then settings.
- Later enter the chats tab.
- Select "theme" and choose the "dark" option.