Ask anyone if he/she owns a mobile phone and all you’ll get in return is the ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ face. This reflects the vitality that cell phones possess in the present era. Initially, this field was prone to lack of variety, but today, the case has been altered. In addition to this, ample number of brands with varying operating systems have enhanced the situation and fashioned it into a competitive one. As far as popular operating systems are concerned, there cannot be a better example than the Android OS.
Founded in 2003 and launched in 2008, Android is an operating system based on the Linux Kernel. It was founded by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and Chris White and is currently developed by Google. Its source code is released by Google under open source which allows third parties to use the original source code with regard to the gadgets they produce, for free. And thus, the fact that Android occupied 80.7% of the global market, in 2014, is not at all astonishing.
Android is bolstered by a wide range of advantages, due to which, the OS has been capable of achieving such a gigantic market-share. Hardware diversity and constant involvement of innovation are two of the many perks of Android. Apart from these, the support from ample number of established brands like Samsung, Sony, Moto, LG and others have led to the enormous growth of the system, in terms of usage and popularity.
Let’s take a look at a few of the other acclaimed mobile operating systems. Apple’s iOS is a sensation in Europe. Windows by Microsoft is slowly trying to establish its market and is placed 3rd, globally. BlackBerry was booming in the early 2000s but nowadays seems to lack the necessary ambience. What is the most probable reason for the low popularity-meters of these systems? The answer is Open Source.
Being an Open Source Software, Android is available to every manufacturer and hence many versions of the same OS are developed. Other operating systems are proprietary sources (the exact opposite of Open Source) and thus are manufactured only by the parent company. Not only famous companies like Samsung, Sony, Moto and LG but other less popular companies have also started developing mobile phones using Android as their OS. Some of them are ASUS, Lenovo, Xiaomi etc. The rising Indian company, Micromax, has also the utilized the benefits of Open Source and has adopted the Android OS.
Android has also been well received because of its out of box marketing policy.
Upgraded versions of Android were named such that they found an instant connection with the masses. For example: The initial versions of Android were (A)stro (B)ender, then it was (C)upcake and so on in alphabetical order as Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Ginger-bread, Honeycomb, Ice-cream Sandwich, Jellybean, Kit-Kat, Lollipop and the latest Android version set to release in the later part of the year is Marshmallow. Such unique names were an instant hit.
Android was successful to establish a connection with the customers with such market tactics. Long story short, Android is the most-used operating system which represents absolute excellence, and has tremendously contributed to the smartphone sector.
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