What Is A Arenoid

at google.jpg|thumb|right|Android at [[Googleplex].]]
In July 2005, [[Google]] [[List of Google acquisitions|acquired]] Android, Inc., a small [[startup company]] based in [[Palo Alto, CA|Palo Alto, California, USA]].<ref name="AndroidInc">cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050817_0949_tc024.htm |title=Google Buys Android for Its Mobile Arsenal |accessdate=2007-11-07 |last=Elgin |first=Ben |date=2005-08-17 |publisher=Business Week</ref> Android's co-founders who went to work at Google included [[Andy Rubin]] (co-founder of [[Danger (company)|Danger]]<ref name="AndyRubin">cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/technology/04google.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=all |title=I, Robot: The Man Behind the Google Phone |accessdate=2008-10-14 |last=Markoff |first=John |date=2007-11-04 |publisher=New York Times</ref>), [[Rich Miner]] (co-founder of Wildfire Communications, Inc.<ref>cite news
|url=http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/09/02/introducing_the_google_phone/
|title=Introducing the Google Phone
|first=Scott
|last=Kirsner
|date=2 September 2007
|accessdate=2008-10-24
|work=[[The Boston Globe]]
</ref>), [[Nick Sears]] (once VP at [[T-Mobile]]<ref name="Nick">cite press release |url=http://www.nokia.com/A4136002?newsid=918410 |title=T-Mobile Brings Unlimited Multiplayer Gaming to US Market with First Launch of Nokia N-Gage Game Deck |accessdate=2009-04-05 |date=23 September 2003 |publisher=Nokia</ref>), and Chris White (headed design and interface development at [[WebTV]]<ref>cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/aug2005/tc20050817_0949_tc024.htm|accessdate=2009-04-23|title=Google Buys Android for Its Mobile Arsenal|work=[[BusinessWeek]]|first=Ben|last=Elgin|date=17 August 2005</ref>). At the time, little was known about the functions of Android, Inc. other than that they made software for mobile phones.<ref name="AndroidInc"/> This began rumors that Google was planning to enter the [[mobile phone]] market.Citation needed|date=September 2008

At Google, the team led by Rubin developed a mobile device platform powered by the [[Linux kernel]] which they marketed to handset makers and [[Mobile network operator|carriers]] on the premise of providing a flexible, upgradeable system.Citation needed|date=November 2007 It was reported that Google had already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it was open to various degrees of cooperation on their part.<ref name="EngadgetMobileOS">cite web |url=http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/28/google-is-working-on-a-mobile-os-and-its-due-out-shortly/ |title=Google is working on a mobile OS, and it's due out shortly |accessdate=2007-11-06 |last=Block |first=Ryan |date=2007-08-28 |work=[[Engadget]]</ref><ref name="WSJ">cite web |url=http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118602176520985718-lMyQjAxMDE3ODA2MjAwMjIxWj.html |title=Google Pushes Tailored Phones To Win Lucrative Ad Market |accessdate=2007-11-06 |last1=Sharma |first1=Amol |first2=Kevin J. |last2=Delaney |date=2007-08-02 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]</ref><ref name="DT">cite web |url=http://www.directtraffic.org/OnlineNews/Google_admits_to_mobile_phone_plan_18094880.html |title=Google admits to mobile phone plan |accessdate=2007-11-06 |date=2007-03-20 |work=directtraffic.org |publisher=Google News</ref>
More speculation that Google would be entering the mobile-phone market came in December 2006.<ref name="McKay">cite news |last=McKay |first=Martha |date=21 December 2006 |title=Can iPhone become your phone?; Linksys introduces versatile line for cordless service |work=[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]] |page=L9 |quote=And don't hold your breath, but the same cell phone-obsessed tech watchers say it won't be long before Google jumps headfirst into the phone biz. Phone, anyone?</ref> Reports from the [[BBC]] and ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' noted that Google wanted its search and applications on mobile phones and it was working hard to deliver that. Print and online media outlets soon reported rumors that Google was developing a Google-branded [[Handset#Telephony|handset]].<ref name="LIgPhone">cite web |url=http://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/59115.html |title=Blogosphere Aflutter With Linux-Based phone Rumors |accessdate=2007-11-07 |last=Ackerman |first=Elise |date=2007-08-30 |work=Linux InsiderDead link|date=September 2009</ref> More speculation followed reporting that as Google was defining technical specifications, it was showing prototypes to cell phone manufacturers and network operators.

In September 2007, ''[[InformationWeek]]'' covered an [[Evalueserve]] study reporting that Google had filed several [[patent]] applications in the area of mobile telephony.<ref name="IWpatents">cite news |url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201807587&cid=nl_IWK_daily |title=Google's Secret Patent Portfolio Predicts gPhone |accessdate=2007-11-06 |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |date=2007-09-19 |work=[[InformationWeek]]</ref><ref name="MNpatents">cite web |url=http://www.moconews.net/entry/419-googles-strong-mobile-related-patent-portfolio/ |title=Google's Strong Mobile-Related Patent Portfolio |accessdate=2007-11-07 |last=Pearce |first=James Quintana |date=2007-09-20 |work=mocoNews.net</ref>. Ultimately Google unveiled its smartphone [[Nexus One]] that uses the Android open source mobile operating system. The device is manufactured by Taiwan's HTC Corporation, and became available on January 5, 2010.

===Open Handset Alliance===
Main|Open Handset Alliance

quote box|width=300px|align=right|quote="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."|source=-[[Eric Schmidt]], ''Google Chairman/CEO''<ref name="AndroidAnnouncement" />

On 5 November 2007, the [[Open Handset Alliance]], a [[consortium]] of several companies which include [[Texas Instruments]], [[Broadcom Corporation]], [[Google]], [[High Tech Computer Corporation|HTC]], [[Intel Corporation|Intel]], [[LG Group|LG]], [[Marvell Technology Group]], [[Motorola]], [[Nvidia]], [[Qualcomm]], [[Samsung Electronics]], [[Sprint Nextel]] and [[T-Mobile]] was unveiled with the goal to develop [[open standard]]s for mobile devices.<ref name="AndroidAnnouncement"/> Along with the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, the OHA also unveiled their first product, Android, a mobile device [[platform (computing)|platform]] built on the [[Linux kernel]] version 2.6.<ref name="AndroidAnnouncement"/>

On 9 December 2008, it was announced that 14 new members would be joining the Android project, including [[ARM Holdings]], [[Atheros Communications]], [[Asustek|Asustek Computer Inc]], [[Garmin|Garmin Ltd]], [[Softbank]], [[Sony Ericsson]], [[Toshiba|Toshiba Corp]], and [[Vodafone|Vodafone Group Plc]].<ref>cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0928595620081210 |title=CORRECTED&nbsp;— UPDATE 2-More mobile phone makers back Google's Android |last=Martinez |first=Jennifer |work=[[Reuters]] |publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] |date=2008-12-10 |accessdate=2008-12-13</ref><ref>cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2008/12/googles_android_2.html |title=Google's Android Gains More Powerful Followers |last=Kharif |first=Olga |work=[[BusinessWeek]] |publisher=[[McGraw-Hill]] |date=2008-12-09 |accessdate=2008-12-13</ref>

===Licensing===
With the exception of brief update periods, Android has been available as open source since 21 October 2008. Google opened the entire [[source code]] (including network and telephony stacks<ref>cite news | url = http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Open-Sources-Android-on-Eve-of-G1-Launch/ | work = [[eWeek]] | title = Google Open-Sources Android on Eve of G1 Launch | first = Clint | last = Boulton | date = 21 October 2008 | accessdate = 2009-09-03</ref>) under an [[Apache License]].<ref>cite web | url = http://source.android.com/posts/opensource | title = Android is now available as open source | work = Android Open Source Project | first = Dave | last = Bort | date = 21 October 2008 | accessdate = 2009-09-03</ref>

With the Apache License, vendors can add proprietary extensions without submitting those back to the open source community.

===Update history===
[and cupcake.jpg|thumb|right|A cupcake was placed beside Android at [[Googleplex] to commemorate the 1.5 release of Android.]]
Android has seen a number of updates since its original release. These updates to the base Operating System typically fix bugs and add new features.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align: left"
|- style="text-align: left"
! 1.5 (Cupcake)<br />Base on Linux Kernel 2.6.27
| On 30 April 2009, the official 1.5 (Cupcake) update for Android was released.<ref>cite web
| url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/04/android-15-is-here.html
| title=Android 1.5 is here!
| date=27 April 2009
| work=Android Developers Blog
| first=Xavier
| last=Ducrohet
| accessdate=2009-09-03
</ref><ref>cite news
| last=Rob
| first=Jackson
| title=CONFIRMED: Official Cupcake Update Underway for T-Mobile G1 USA & UK!
| date=30 April 2009
| url=http://phandroid.com/2009/04/30/official-cupcake-update-underway-for-t-mobile-g1-usa/
| work=Android Phone Fans
| accessdate=2009-09-03
</ref> There are several new features and UI updates included in the 1.5 update:

  • Ability to record and watch videos with the camcorder mode
  • Uploading videos to YouTube and pictures to Picasa directly from the phone
  • A new soft keyboard with an "Autocomplete" feature
  • Bluetooth A2DP support (which in turn broke Bluetooth connectivity with many popular cars and headsets. This has still yet to be fixed as of|2009|12|lc=on)<ref>cite web | url = http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=3960 | title = Issue 3960 – android – Bluetooth issues with car systems in Android 1.5 / 1.6 | work = [[Google Code]] | accessdate = 10 February 2010</ref>
  • Ability to automatically connect to a Bluetooth headset within a certain distance
  • New widgets and folders that can populate the desktop
  • Animations between screens
  • Expanded ability of [[Copy and paste]] to include web pages<ref>{{cite web

| date=April 2009
| url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.5-highlights.html
| title=Android 1.5 Platform Highlights
| work=Android Developers
| accessdate=2009-09-03
}}</ref>
|-
! style="width: 8em"| 1.6 (Donut)<br />Base on Linux Kernel 2.6.27

| url=http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2009/09/android-16-sdk-is-here.html
| title=Android 1.6 SDK is here
| date=15 September 2009
| work=Android Developers Blog
| first=Xavier
| last=Ducrohet
| accessdate=2009-10-01
}}</ref><ref>cite news
| last=Ryan
| first=Paul
| title=Google releases Android 1.6; Palm unleashes WebOS 1.2
| date=1 October 2009
| url=http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/10/google-releases-android-16-palm-releases-webos-12.ars
| work=ars technica
| accessdate=2009-10-01
</ref> Included in the update are:

  • An improved Android Market experience.
  • An integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery interface.
  • Gallery now enables users to select multiple photos for deletion.
  • Updated Voice Search, with faster response and deeper integration with native applications, including the ability to dial contacts.
  • Updated search experience to allow searching bookmarks, history, contacts, and the web from the home screen.
  • Updated Technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPN, Gestures, and a Text-to-speech engine.
  • Support for WVGA resolutions.
  • Speed improvements for searching, the camera.<ref>{{cite web

| date=September 2009
| url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.6-highlights.html
| title=Android 1.6 Platform Highlights
| work=Android Developers
| accessdate=2009-10-01
}}</ref>
|-
! 2.0/2.1 (Eclair)<br />Base on Linux Kernel 2.6.29<ref>cite web | url = http://www.google.com/phone/static/en_US-nexusone_tech_specs.html | title = Android 2.1 / Eclair on Google Nexus One | work = Android Developers | accessdate = 5 January 2010 (Eclair)</ref>

  • Optimized hardware speed
  • Support for more screen sizes and resolutions
  • Revamped UI
  • New browser UI and [[HTML5]] support
  • New contact lists
  • Better white/black ratio for backgrounds
  • Improved Google Maps 3.1.2
  • Microsoft Exchange support
  • Built in flash support for Camera
  • Digital Zoom
  • MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events<ref>{{cite web|title=Android 2.0 API Changes Summary|url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.html#api-changes|accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref>
  • Improved virtual keyboard
  • Bluetooth 2.1
  • Live Wallpapers

On 3 December 2009 the 2.0.1 SDK was released.<ref>cite web | url = http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.0.1.html | title = Android 2.0.1, Release 1 | work = Android Developers | accessdate = 17 January 2010</ref>

On 12 January 2010 the 2.1 SDK was released.<ref>cite web | url = http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-2.1.html | title = Android 2.1, Release 1 | work = Android Developers | accessdate = 17 January 2010</ref> Some sources called this 'Flan' but it is actually still considered part of 'Eclair'.
|}

A subsequent version (post 2.1), based on Linux Kernel 2.6.32<ref name="Swetland">cite web
| date=7 February 2010
| url=http://lwn.net/Articles/373374/
| title=Some clarification on "the Android Kernel"
| work=lwn.net
| first=Brian
| last=Swetland
| accessdate=2010-02-21
</ref>, is to be named FroYo.<ref>cite web
| date=16 January 2010
| url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/16/next-android-version-will-be-called-froyo-says-erick-tseng/
| title=Next Android version will be called Froyo, says Erick Tseng
| work=Engadget.com
| first=Vladislav
| last=Savov
| accessdate=2010-01-16
</ref>

After FroYo, the next update, based on Linux Kernel 2.6.33 or 34<ref name="Swetland"/>, will be called Gingerbread.<ref>cite web
| date=9 February 2010
| url=http://androidandme.com/2010/02/news/preheat-the-oven-googles-mixin-up-a-batch-of-gingerbread/
| title=Preheat the oven, Google’s mixin’ up a batch of Gingerbread
| work=AndroidAndMe.com
| accessdate=2010-02-09
</ref>

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