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List of features in Android

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Gladosx (talk | contribs) at 18:05, 3 October 2012 (I assemble a single list of media formats that are under the same containers (in MP4 or 3GP container)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Android Emulator default home screen (v1.5, also known as "Cupcake")

This is a list of features in the Android operating system:[1][2][3]

Handset layouts
The platform is adaptable to larger, VGA, 2D graphics library, 3D graphics library based on OpenGL ES 2.0 specifications, and traditional smartphone layouts.
Storage
SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes.
Connectivity
Android supports connectivity technologies including GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC and WiMAX.
Messaging
SMS and MMS are available forms of messaging, including threaded text messaging and Android Cloud To Device Messaging (C2DM) and now enhanced version of C2DM, Android Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) is also a part of Android Push Messaging service.
Multiple language support
Android supports multiple languages.[4]
Web browser
The web browser available in Android is based on the open-source WebKit layout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine. The browser scores 100/100 on the Acid3 test on Android 4.0.
Java support
While most Android applications are written in Java, there is no Java Virtual Machine in the platform and Java byte code is not executed. Java classes are compiled into Dalvik executables and run on Dalvik, a specialized virtual machine designed specifically for Android and optimized for battery-powered mobile devices with limited memory and CPU. J2ME support can be provided via third-party applications.
Media support
Android supports the following audio/video/still media formats: WebM, H.263, H.264, AAC, HE-AAC (in 3GP or MP4 container), MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB (in 3GP container), MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP.[3]
Streaming media support
RTP/RTSP streaming (3GPP PSS, ISMA), HTML progressive download (HTML5 <video> tag). Adobe Flash Streaming (RTMP) and HTTP Dynamic Streaming are supported by the Flash plugin.[5] Apple HTTP Live Streaming is supported by RealPlayer for Android,[6] and by the operating system in Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).[7]
Additional hardware support
Android can use video/still cameras, touchscreens, GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes, barometers, magnetometers, dedicated gaming controls, proximity and pressure sensors, thermometers, accelerated 2D bit blits (with hardware orientation, scaling, pixel format conversion) and accelerated 3D graphics.
Multi-touch
Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in handsets such as the HTC Hero. The feature was originally disabled at the kernel level (possibly to avoid infringing Apple's patents on touch-screen technology at the time).[8] Google has since released an update for the Nexus One and the Motorola Droid which enables multi-touch natively.[9]
Bluetooth
Supports A2DP, AVRCP, sending files (OPP), accessing the phone book (PBAP), voice dialing and sending contacts between phones. Keyboard, mouse and joystick (HID) support is available in Android 3.1+, and in earlier versions through manufacturer customizations and third-party applications.[10]
Video calling
Android does not support native video calling, but some handsets have a customized version of the operating system that supports it, either via the UMTS network (like the Samsung Galaxy S) or over IP. Video calling through Google Talk is available in Android 2.3.4 and later. Gingerbread allows Nexus S to place Internet calls with a SIP account. This allows for enhanced VoIP dialing to other SIP accounts and even phone numbers. Skype 2.1 offers video calling in Android 2.3, including front camera support. Users with the Google+ android app can video chat with other google+ users through hangouts.
Multitasking
Multitasking of applications, with unique handling of memory allocation, is available.[11]
Voice based features
Google search through voice has been available since initial release.[12] Voice actions for calling, texting, navigation, etc. are supported on Android 2.2 onwards.[13] As of Android 4.1, Google has expanded Voice Actions with the ability to talk back and read answers from Google's Knowledge Graph when queried with specific commands.[14] The ability to control hardware has not yet been implemented.
Tethering
Android supports tethering, which allows a phone to be used as a wireless/wired Wi-Fi hotspot. Before Android 2.2 this was supported by third-party applications or manufacturer customizations.[15]
Screen capture
Android supports capturing a screenshot by pressing the power and volume-down buttons at the same time.[16] Prior to Android 4.0, the only methods of capturing a screenshot were through manufacturer and third-party customizations or otherwise by using a PC connection (DDMS developer's tool). These alternative methods are still available with the latest Android.
External storage
Most Android devices include microSD slot and can read microSD cards formatted with FAT32, Ext3 or Ext4 file system. To allow use of high-capacity storage media such as USB flash drives and USB HDDs, many Android tablets also include USB 'A' receptacle. Storage formatted with FAT32 is handled by Linux Kernel VFAT driver, while 3rd party solutions are required to handle other popular file systems such as NTFS, HFS Plus and exFAT.

References

  1. ^ "What is Android?". Android Developers. July 21, 2009. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  2. ^ Topolsky, Joshua (November 12, 2007). "Google's Android OS early look SDK now available". Engadget. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  3. ^ a b "Android Supported Media Formats". Android Developers. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  4. ^ "Android 2.3 Platform Highlights". Android Developers. December 6, 2010. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  5. ^ "Flash Flayer 10.1 for Android 2.2 Release Notes". Adobe Knowledgebase. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  6. ^ "RealNetworks Gives Handset and Tablet OEMs Ability to Deliver HTTP Live Content to Android Users". realnetworks.com. September 10, 2010. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  7. ^ "Android 3.0 Platform Highlights". Google. Retrieved 2012-02-15. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  8. ^ Musil, Steven (February 11, 2009). "Report: Apple nixed Android's multitouch". CNET News. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  9. ^ Ziegler, Chris (February 2, 2010). "Nexus One gets a software update, enables multitouch". Engadget. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  10. ^ "Android 3.1 Platform Highlights". Android Developers. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  11. ^ Bray, Tim (April 28, 2010). "Multitasking the Android Way". Android Developers. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  12. ^ "Speech Input for Google Search". Android Developers. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  13. ^ "Voice Actions for Android". google.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  14. ^ "Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) Voice Actions explained". Geek.com. Retrieved 2012-09-13.
  15. ^ JR Raphael (May 6, 2010). "Use Your Android Phone as a Wireless Modem". PCWorld. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  16. ^ Nancy Gohring (October 19, 2011). "Samsung, Google Unveil Latest Android OS, Phone". PCWorld. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
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