2. Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is
used by several smartphones, such as the Motorola Droid, the
Samsung Galaxy, and Google's own Nexus One.
The Android operating system (OS) is based on the open Linux
kernel. Unlike the iPhone OS, Android is open source, meaning
developers can modify and customize the OS for each phone.
Therefore, different Android-based phones may have different
graphical user interfaces GUIs even though they use the same OS.
Android phones typically come with several built-in applications and
also support third-party programs. Developers can create programs
for Android using the free Android SDK (Software Developer Kit).
Android programs are written in Java and run through Google's
"Davlik" virtual machine, which is optimized for mobile devices.
Users can download Android "apps" from the online Android Market.
3. The version history of the Android mobile operating system began
with the release of the Android beta in November 2007. The first
commercial version, Android 1.0, was released in September 2008.
Android is under ongoing development by Google and the Open
Handset Alliance, and has seen a number of updates to its base
operating system since its original release. These updates typically
fix bugs and add new features. As of 2013, over 500 million active
devices use the Android OS worldwide. The most recent major
Android update was Jelly Bean 4.2, which was released on
commercial devices in November 2012.
4. Android 4.2 takes the speed and simplicity of Jelly Bean to a
different level – a completely new camera experience that’s beyond
smart, a new form of typing that helps you power through your
messages, and much more.
7. Version Name: Froyo Version Name: Éclair
Android 2.2 Android 2.1
Android 2.0.1
Android 2.0
8. Version Name: Donut Version Name: Cupcake
Android 1.6 Android 1.5
Version Name: Banana Version Name: Apple Pie
Bread Android 1.0
Android 1.1 Android 0.9
9. 10
HTC Evo 3D
Uneven call quality doesn't stop the Evo 3D from being the best phone
currently available on Sprint.
10. 9
Samsung Galaxy S II (T-Mobile)
Like the rest of the Galaxy S II series, the Galaxy S II on T-Mobile is
one of the best phones currently available, hands down.
11. 8
Motorola Droid Bionic
The long-awaited Droid Bionic is blazing fast and has a slew of great
entertainment and business features, but the high price might make it a
hard sell.
12. 7
Motorola Droid Razr
The thin and elegant Motorola Droid Razr is smoking when it comes to
data speeds and performance, but the short battery life is a
disappointment.
13. 6
Samsung Epic Touch 4G
The slim and speedy Samsung Epic Touch 4G is excellent for
gaming, Web browsing and watching video, but the plasticky design
feels a bit on the cheap side.
14. 5
Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX
The Droid Razr Maxx packs in a dual-core processor, large battery and
LTE in a very thin frame.
15. 4
T-Mobile MyTouch 4G Slide
The MyTouch 4G Slide has one of the best cameras we've ever tested--
and the rest of the phone is pretty amazing as well.
16. 3
HTC Rezound
If you can deal with subpar battery life, the HTC Rezound is an
excellent phone that won't feel outdated anytime soon.
17. 2
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
The best Android phone to date, the Galaxy Nexus dazzles with its
curved display, sleek design, fast performance, and, of course, the Ice
Cream Sandwich update.
18. 1
HTC One S
Rated: Apr 18, 2012 2:00 PM
The HTC One S is the ultimate multimedia phone, from
gaming to music to snapping high quality photos.