Android is one of the best smartphone operating systems we have till date. It has been 4 years since the very first, stable version of the Android OS was released in the market. But the years that it has kept making its impression felt in the world of mobile technology seem much more that, don’t they. This is because Android has kept inventing and reinventing itself and has transformed itself as one of the leading smartphone operating systems that is, typically, the first choice of developers, business and users all over the world.
In fact, if you want the best example of constant innovation in technology, then all you need to do is take a look at the metamorphosis of the Android platform. In just four years, it released more than four new versions namely – Cupcake, Donut, Éclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean. Because the platform has had so many regular updates, it is an interesting playground for developers to create path-breaking apps.
Avant-garde features: Support development of avant-garde apps
All this was possible due to some commendable features. From day one, the developers behind the Android OS, were hell bent on bringing some of avant-garde features, which went on to change the entire facet of smartphone app development. For instance, it got its notifications right, gave users a home screen they could modify, brought folders and resizable widgets, provided hotspot and tethering support, multitasking, 4G LTE and NFC support and many other features, way before its competitors even thought of doing so. (Many of these features are till date not available even on the iOS!)
It is the sheer power of these features and functions of Android or these constant innovations, which make it an apt platform for developers to create breakthrough apps.
This is evident by Google Play, which was revamped not so long ago and has already registered one billion app downloads.
Fragmentation in Android devices is not a constraint for developing apps
Fragmentation in Android OS devices is not taken kindly by its critics; they keep hinting at how this makes it difficult to develop a uniform app, which will give users the same user experience across all devices or how it is almost an impossible task to test the app across the sheer number of devices that are powered by the Android OS.
However, developers take this as a challenge. They take it as an opportunity to experiment, till they arrive at that one perfect app, which has the best features, and functions equally well across all Android OS versions and smartphones/tablets available on the market.
In conclusion
All in all, Android did manage to pass through endless hurdles and today it is hailed as one of the best operating systems for development of apps. So, if you have taken up Android app development as your career, consider it as one of the best decisions taken by you. Eventually, there will be many more changes, upgrades and updates to this platform and you can take the benefit to develop more path-breaking apps.