Android is a well-known Operating System that is used in most of the smartphones and digital devices. The OS is based on the Linux Kernel and other open-source software. It acts as a base for building several mobile applications and software.
Android Software Development Kit in a nutshell
Android Software Development Kit is generally used for the Android App Development process. Developed and released by Google and the Open Handset Alliance in the year 2008, it is written in several languages that include Java, Python, C, C++, Assembly language, Shell Script, XML, and many others.
Operating systems provide the opportunity to host several apps that can be developed to benefit the users by providing services across a wide range of genres.
The different genres include Books, Business, Finance, Food, Lifestyles, Multimedia, Music, Navigation, News, Reference, Social Media, Sports, Travel, Utilities, Weather, and many more where the OS is widely used. These applications offer a wide variety of services to the target audience.
Different versions have been released over the years since the development of the 1st version of Android. The new versions improve the already existing services that the OS has to offer and also introduce new features that enhance the quality of the overall application.
The different versions that have been developed since 2008 include the versions named as:
- Android 1.1 (Alpha)
- Android 1.6 (Donut)
- Android 2.0 (Eclair)
- Android 3.0 (Honeycomb)
- Android 5.0 (Lollipop)
- Android 7.0 (Nougat)
- Android 9.0 (Pie)
Android App Development process is carried out by using the Software Development Kit (SDK). It is a collection of several tools that are available in just one package that can be installed on the host. It also includes a compiler, debugger, and a software framework. They also provide usable functions and on-device libraries that are used for interfacing with the programming languages.
The Custom Android Apps once developed are available for users to download from different platforms and several app stores. Some of them are
- Google Play,
- Opera Mobile Store,
- Amazon App Store,
- SlideME,
- 1Mobile Market,
- Samsung Galaxy Apps,
- Mobile9,
- F-droid,
- Mobango,
- GetJar,
Some of the features of an Android App include:
- Connectivity
- Storage
- Messaging
- Media Support
- Multi-tasking
- Multi-Language
- Resizable Widgets
- GCM
- Wi-Fi Direct
- Android Beam
- Web Browser and many more.
Several things should be considered before developing an Android App. Some of these factors have been highlighted below:
- ConceptProofing:
It is important to know whether the app that is to be developed will be able to achieve its goal and meet all the requirements by solving the issue that is being addressed by it. Developing an app similar to an existing application would not prove to be beneficial to society and thus, the focus should be on coming up with something new.
- Research:
It is important to carry other thorough research about the properties that the said app will have. It will also help the developer to decide the types of features that the app to be developed can offer.
- Knowing the Audience:
It is important to know which type of audience would be more interested in using the said Custom Android app. Consequently, more focus should be made on providing the audience with equivalent features.
- Planning:
Planning the use and functions of the app before developing it is important. Some apps need a continuous internet connection, whereas some might not. It is important to decide the functions of the app accordingly.
- Design:
The design of the application should be user friendly and understandable such that a wide range of the target audience can access the app freely.
- Security:
It is an important factor that must be given top priority. People may store some confidential and valuable information on their devices and it is necessary to ensure that the developed app does not tamper with any of the security protocols.
- Uniqueness:
A unique app for a specific purpose that has not been addressed before attracts interested customers. This would urge people to use it more and thus help to increase its demand and popularity of the program.
- Database:
Having a fast database system is important for an app to function properly in case of any software issue or glitch.
- Payments:
If an app is being developed that would offer services that require payments to be made by the user then it is important to provide them with an integrated payment gateway that can help users make easy and hassle-free payments.
Apart from these factors, it is also important to know about the platforms that would be able to support the app and to secure the future development process of the said app.
Thus, by considering all of the mentioned things an efficient Android app can be developed that will be well received by its users.
