History

It is  astonishing how much Android software development has changed over the past 5-10 years. To help you keep up all changes to Android, we have created a brief history of Android software development.

Earliest Establishment.

As with all histories, we started from the beginning. In 2003 Rich Miner, Nick Sears, Chris White and Andy Rubin founded company called Android Inc.
The name android came from Andy Rubin's nickname when he worked at Apple. Rubin had a passion for Android robots. Henceforth Andy became Android.

Initial Start.

Rubin started Android so they could develop "smarter mobile devices with their initiated applications that are aware of its owner's location and preferences."

For the next two years the company struggled to gain a foothold in the smartphone industry. That was until Google purchased the company in 2005.

Rubin and his co-founders stayed on with full access to Google’s entire lineup of products.

One of the biggest decisions made at the time of the acquisition was to use Linux as the foundation for the Android operating system.

The First Android phone launched in September 2008.

The first Android phone used several Google products such as Google Maps, YouTube, and Google search among others.

First Android mobile apps

The Google Play store had not launched yet. Instead, they added the Android Marketplace where developers displayed their mobile apps.

Android Versions

Since that first phone in 2008, Google has launched 8 versions of their OS that is installed on over 24,000 different devices.

They have also released two major phone models: Pixel and Pixel 2, which did not make a splash on the market despite an aggressive marketing campaign.

Here is the usage of multiple Android OS versions.

Android Development Tools.

Google and Android community created several tools to develop mobile apps for android. Below are some best tools

 Android Studio

This is the official Android development tool. Developers use it to build apps for every type of Android device.

Android Studio includes code editing, debugging, and performance tools. Use these tools to build the high-quality apps you believe could help your prospects.

 Gradle

Android Software Development Tools - Gradle

This software program improves developer productivity for companies of all sizes.

Developers can code in the language of their choice. Gradle prepares your mobile app for deployment, so your company can automatically delivery your software to the platforms of your choice.

Gradle’s versatility allows you to build whatever type of a mobile app you envision.

Material Design

Android Software Development - Material Design

Material Design offers Android developers a set of methodologies to create the graphics they need for their mobile applications.

Material Design provides a concept for you to create quality designs across all Android 

Android Runtime (ART)

Runtime software manages low-level processes running in the background.

1. ART features include:

2. Ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation

3. Garbage collection

4. Development and debugging improvements

5. Diagnostic Reporting

Future of Android 

Google is releasing a new version of Android this year — Android Q. This new version adds several powerful features:

1. App Actions and Slices for remote access to your apps;

2. Android App Bundle to make apps smaller;

3. Indoor navigation working off Wi-Fi networks;

4. Machine Learning and Augmented Reality SDKs for a new generation of AI-enabled apps;

5. Adaptive battery feature to save energy for our devices, etc.