A walk through Android and its growing popularity among app developers

Ever since Android has been launched into the smartphone world, it has been gaining an impressive share in the markets. One of the biggest assets of Android that make it stand out is its open source nature. The term 'open source' means that the source code for developing Android apps is available for free and can be easily fetched by anyone. This article of mine will throw some light on the open source nature of Android and its growing popularity among novice and professional mobile app developers.

Android is much more than a simple mobile operating system

When we talk about Android, the very first thought that strikes our mind is that it is a mobile operating system. Well, the truth is that Android is much more than that. It is a community of software developers, end users and device manufacturers who work together to create fabulous applications that can run on specific mobile devices. Some of the industry biggies like Samsung, Google and HTC have already leveraged the potential of Android for gathering the attention of customers across the globe.

Android's code can be shared with Linux

Since both Linux and Android Mobile Application Development are open source, it is possible for the developers to share the code in a convenient manner. Google being the backbone of Android has been frequently releasing the source code, enabling the app developers to work on improving existing Android apps and come up with innovative ones. But, that's not all, the flexibility to share code with Linux enables the Android app developers to take full advantage of both, Linux development as well as Android development. However, Google, Samsung and HTC aren't the only names that are contributing to Android, there's a wide range of other popular technology giants which are putting in their best efforts towards adding excellence into Android.

Android- A socially built operating system

The AOSP(Android Open Source Project) version of Android has been built and maintained by the wide community of Android designers and developers. This gives Android, recognition as a "socially built" operating system. Today, a large variety of features that you see on your Android smartphones are a result of the efforts put in by the Android AOSP community. Whether it's the dialer flexibility, the text message app or the 3D gallery, AOSP community has worked in the right direction when it comes to developing fine-quality apps for Android powered smartphones.

Transfer of new features into old smartphones is feasible

With Google, Samsung and HTC releasing new source code, the platform where you can opt to Hire Android Application Developer has been able to transfer Android's latest features into some of the older models of smartphones that are being powered by Android operating system. For example, Android users are now running the all-new 'Touchwiz Nature UX' from the Samsung Galaxy SIII on the newly launched Galaxy III.

Summary

Android has emerged as an innovative open source revolution. It's popularity has been highly recognized by app designers and developers who're continuously struggling for creation of smartphone apps that are easy to use and visually appealing.

Juana Steves is working as a tech savvy content writer with Xicom Ltd - http://www.xicom.biz; a leading iPhone and Android Development Company. You can opt to hire skilled iPhone and Android Developers in case you are willing to avail the same.