The Evolution of an Android Developer over the Years

"Android- the term is self-defined, no introduction is needed! The most successful Operating System on earth of twenty first century was conceived by Android Inc. but, then born to earth on 2007 by Google. There are almost 13 versions or major releases of this Operating System over last 8 years! With every newer version, it became more powerful, more efficient and more user centric and hence gained such a huge popularity in the industry. As it grows, Android developer have been experimenting their fate with the Operating System. Fortunately, Android made them happy with its beautiful features and amazing performance. Developers get tightly coupled with Android by making their Android apps fit for the changing ecosystem of Google's Android OS! Let's see how both Android OS and Android developer evolved out as a winner over the years!"

Born of a titan under a small roof, but with a golden fortune:

It's the Andy Rubin, who conceived Android with co-operation from Rich Miner and Palo Alto in October 2003. There was a time when they were running out of money and struggling severely to keep Android alive! That time, in 2005 Google acquired Android Inc. and started experimenting with the so called Operating System. It had nothing for the Android developers then. It was in need of intensive care from Google's expert team to make it an industry standard.

Google took away the fortunate and refined it to make it fit for the industry:

Initially, Android was focused to become an Operating System for Camera!! But, with the golden touch from Google, it turned out as a mobile device Operating System to challenge the then market leaders like Blackberry, Symbian and Windows. After lots of hip and hops, Google finally released Android V1 on September 23rd 2008. Now it's somehow ready for the developers to test their faith. Developers are given the chance to access its source code and modify them as per their requirements in building their first Android app; because, Android was open source from the very beginning. So for any Android development project an Android developer can access the source code and use it for his app development.

The V1 has many good features for Android developers:

Google was very much clear what it is going to offer to the industry in the future and it is well understood from its first version itself. Android V1 had many developer's features like enabling Android developers to make their app up-to-date from the Android market itself. It also enabled developers in building web apps that can be opened in many windows i.e. multiple browsing window support which is a great thing in Smartphone considering that time and market penetration. Android developers can build web apps for android platform that can be pin to zoom in and out which is really a supernatural stuff of that period. The best part is that, android developers can take the help of the camera app to make their app more interactive; though not like current version. Android V1 also supports multiple web mail servers with IMAP4, SMTP and POP3 etc. This is not the end of the list! Developers are allowed to take the benefit of Google Calendar, Google contacts, Google Maps, etc. to integrate with their Android app. Google talk, Google Sync, Instant messaging and media player are also there to boost the quality of any Android app if gets executed properly.

Android V1.1 released on February 9, 2009:

Though, it has not that much great updates still have some scope for developers to make their app interactive. Now, Google Map enabled developers to take the benefits of reviews for a place when get searched by the Map API. It also enabled Developers to show or hide Dialpad as per the requirement of the user or the app. The most important part is that, it enabled Android developers to attach files to their messages.

Android V1.5 to 2.3 i.e. From C to G versions:

From April 2009 to December 2013, there is tremendous change in the OS and also for the Android developers. In Android Cupcake (C), the developer gets some new features to integrate in his app like virtual keyboard support for the input field of any app, widget support for expanding features of your app, Auto Pairing with Bluetooth was a massive hit then; enabling users and developers in integrating pictures for their mobile contacts app. Other features include animated screen option; auto rotation option, video upload option to YouTube etc. were there. In D i.e. Donut version, Voice search and text search get available for developers to integrate with their app, Option to include developer's content in search result, Multilingual speech support, better features for Camera and gallery apps, etc. Most importantly, it encouraged network developers by providing support for CDMA and EVDO and VPNs, etc. Then, with Android Eclair, developers get features like advanced multi account to get synced with the system, Push mail support, Bluetooth 2.1 support, Double tap support for enhanced user experience through the developer's app. In Android Froyo and Gingerbread, there are many awesome features included for both the developer and the user. Allowing developers to use the Android Cloud to device Messaging services, USB tethering and WiFi hotspot functionalities and controlling mobile data access, etc. Now, developers can make their app with numeric and alphanumeric input option, they can also display both GIF files in their android web app along with support for videos with flash! Then, with Android G which was the most successful version of the Android open its way for developers by giving option to develop high resolution web apps and native apps for the Android users. Download manager, enhanced camera features and graphical enhancements for Android game developers work like a charm. There were many API fixes as well for the developers to make their app truly efficient and faster than before.

Android H to K:

In H version, there was not much scope for android developers, though but Ice-cream has quite something for the developers. Multi core support, OTG Support, Resizable home screen, support for an external keyboard, High Performance WiFi lock and Support for HTTP proxy were boon for the Android developers then. Again, pinch to zoom in calendar, improved visual voice mail, screenshot capture options, data usage controls and support for Webp picture format, etc. made a good choice for Android developers and users as well. With Android Jelly bean, developers get benefits like other language support for their app, USB audio support, providing developers a chance to create third party launchers and widgets, many API fixes, etc. Now with the latest Kitkat, developers get some good features along with enhancements of the existing features like 4k resolution support, more language support, immersive mode support, wireless printing support, Chromium web view, Native Infrared blaster support etc. Now, the upcoming Android M i.e. Marshmallow is coming. Let's see what is there inside for the developers?

Our Android app development team consists of 25+ experts who are highly skilled and possess in-depth understanding of nuances required to build apps for the wide range of Android enabled devices. Should you be in need of an Android app, please mail your requirements to sales at Mindfire Solutions dot com and we will get back to you in 72 hours.