What is Android?

Android is Google’s software for mobile phones, tablets and a growing range of devices encompassing everything from wearable computing to in-car entertainment. It’s been in development since 2003, and today it’s the world’s most popular mobile operating system.

There are Android phones, Android tablets and Android smartwatches, and you’ll even find Android inside some cars and TV set-top boxes. But what can you do with it? 

What is Android OS?

Android is an operating system, which means its job is to act as a translator between you and your gadget. When you take a photo, Android provides the button you tap and tells the phone what to do when you tap it. When you make or receive a call, Android tells your phone how to do that. When you play a game, Android tells the game what movements you’re making and what buttons you’re pressing. It’s like Windows, but for mobile devices.

Where does Android originated from?

It comes from Google, which actually acquired Android in 2005 (no, Google didn't invent it). Google provides Android to anybody who wants to use it, so for example Samsung, HTC and many, many other companies use Android on their smartphones and tablets. Android is based on the Linux kernel, which, if you have IT nerd friends, you would have heard about before.

Alternatives to Android

The big ones are Apple’s iOS, which is only available on Apple hardware; Windows Phone, which is only available on a handful of devices such as Nokia phones (and both the Nokia name and the Windows Phone name will soon be dumped; in the near future it’ll just be called Windows); and the BlackBerry OS, which only runs on BlackBerry devices. There are other operating systems too, such as Samsung’s proprietary Tizen and Firefox OS, but Android and iOS are the most popular.

Why is Android differ from other OS

Choice. For example if you want iOS, you have a choice of iPhone, iPhone or ipads. If you go for Android there are stacks of great devices to choose from, from cheap and cheerful handsets to really impressive flagships. Those flagships are often cheaper than the equivalent Apple devices, too.

Android’s choice isn’t just about hardware. It’s about everything else too. Android is incredibly easy to customize, both in terms of how it looks and how it works, and the various app stores aren’t as tightly controlled as its rivals’ stores, like Apple.

Latest Android version

Each new version of Android gets a code name based on consecutive letters of the alphabet, so for example the current version is known as KitKat because it is the Android K release. Previous versions have included FroYo (short for frozen yogurt) and Gingerbread. 

What’s the best thing about Android?

Rooting it. If you root an Android device you can get into its most secret places and change anything you like. The possibilities are endless, and we’ve put together a safe guide to rooting your android.

What’s the worst thing about Android?

Getting updates. In many cases manufacturers don’t seem to care about providing software updates for devices they’ve already sold to you, and even when they do provide the updates they can take their sweet time about it. That’s one more reason to consider rooting: you can download the updates yourself and apply them instead of waiting for the manufacturer to get around to it.

What is an Android APK?

APK is short for Android Application Package (yes, we realize the letters don't match up), and it’s the file format Android uses for software downloads. If you’re sideloading Android apps, which means copying them across from a computer rather than installing them directly from the Google Play Store, you’ll need the APK file. When you install an app from the Play Store, you're installing the same APK, one method simply lets the Play Store handle it, the other lets you do it.

How do I get Android tips and tricks?

Simple. Visit  jonesarena.blogspot.com  everyday. We’ve got everything you need to know from how to take screenshots to how to speed up your device, charge its battery faster and share its Wi-Fi connection with other devices. You should also visit  our dedicated android page to check out every tip we have for your specific device, along with hardware comparisons, news and more, specific to the phone you care most about: yours!

What about Android TV?

Android TV is Google’s attempt to make existing TVs into smart ones. It’s tried that before with limited success, but in late 2014 and into 2015 we should see a range of new devices that bring Google Play entertainment to your lounge room. Android TV isn’t the same as Chromecast, which is a device that you can stream TV programmes to via the Chrome web browser.

What about Android Wear and Google Fit?

Android Wear is a version of Android designed for wearable devices such as smartwatches, and it powers smartwatches like the Motorola Moto 360, Samsung Gear Live and LG G Watch. Google Fit is actually part of Android: in the next version of Android, Android 5.0 L, Google Fit will take data from devices such as fitness trackers and share that data with apps.

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