Is the dominance of Android OS ending?

"Android OS dominance is going to end! Is it really true? Let's keep this secret as a secret for some more time. In between let's check what prompted anyone to think on the same. I believe probably the writer is a diehard fan of Apple and extremely optimistic about the failure of Google's Android instead of success of iOS! While this sounds like Doomsday for Android developers, let's try to understand how the topic came into existence or which situation prompted anyone to establish this idea? And also let’s find out whether it is really true?"

Little fluctuation in Android market share does not make any sense considering its huge volume: I believe this news is generated after the publication of IDC report a few days back. As per IDC, the percentage of Android devices being shipped to the industry in last quarter i.e. Q2 of 2015 is less than that of Q2 of 2014. On the other hand, it also emphasizes on the volume of iOS devices being shipped in that period. It clearly states that, in Q2 2015, the number of iOS devices i.e. of course the in house iPhone and iPad shipped is more than that of the last year i.e. Q2 of 2014. This is not the end; it also clearly says that, the popularity of iOS is getting higher with time. Agreed! We are not at all denying the fact sheet provided by IDC. After all, they have put lots of effort to gather such an important piece of information from the industry. In fact, according to them, the number of devices of Android has fall from 84.8% last year to current 82.8%; on the contrary, iOS devices gained from 11.6% to 13.9%! This piece of information is really creating all confusion. Though, there is a fall of devices sold for Android by 2% and a rise of 2.3% for iOS devices; does that really mean Android's dominance is ending?

I would like to clarify one thing that, Dominance and Clear winner are two different terms and should be used in a responsible manner. Though there is a small decrease in the shipments of Android devices i.e. by 2%; but we must consider the global presence of the Operating System. It's at 82.8% against iOS's 13.9%. That means almost 6 times higher than iOS! So, how can one conclude that Android Dominance is ENDING? This is absolutely misleading information. Even if we consider, that the same trend will continue this quarter and then for next 10 quarters; still, the dominance of Android will be there.

Android is giving more effort for its intellectual property, so no worries for Android lovers: Google is renowned in the industry for accepting the challenge as well as executing it beautifully. World's top brains are working for Google to make all its flagship products remain in the industry for long may it be YouTube, Gmail, Android or jQuery; all are grand successes in the industry and this time Google is not going to do anything different with its beloved Android Operating System. In fact, Google is going to put all its efforts to make its Android OS larger than life this time. It will be more beautiful, more effective and more efficient than ever. We will see it soon with the upcoming Android M.

With Android M, everything will be very much clear: Recently, Google released the developer's preview of its most anticipated Operating System i.e. Android Marshmallow. From the preview, it is clear that, Google is going to make a giant leap this time. Last year, Apple introduced Apple Pay which was an original concept of Google since its Gingerbread 2.3. But this time, Google is also reintroducing its concept in a much effective manner than Apple Pay. Moreover, Google's Power Doze will help in improving battery life of Android devices which is the biggest concern for every Smartphone user. Along with that, features like Rotating screen, finger print scanner, Efficient API permissions etc are highly on demand gossip topics in the web blogs. What is more? Efficient use of OS cores and multitasking is going to work as a vitamin for Android OS. Along with that, custom chrome tab, app linking and USB Type C compatibility will definitely boost Android M to reach new heights sooner. In fact, it is clearly stated by the industry experts that, Android M is going to be the most successful version for Google ever. This should be great news especially for those who are into Android App development.

Android will still dominate the industry as before: If we consider the number of Android devices in the industry; it is far ahead of the number of iOS devices. Moreover, Google's Android One project is pumping the number to even greater heights and is expected to see further growth in near future. Google is going to set another benchmark for Android One devices now, which will definitely create a huge buzz among the Android users this time. Furthermore, Android developers are most welcome to venture their smart app in Play Store without much hassle. This significantly encourages Android OS to be larger with more than 1.5 million of Android apps presence on the Play Store and the number is growing at a much faster pace than its counterpart i.e. Apple's iOS. So, there is no prediction, no assumption or no expectation about the failure of Android in near future.

No way, Google is not dead YET! These things I must mention and iterate that Google is there to keep Android safe in the industry but also grow in popularity. Till date, there is no example of Google's flagship product getting flopped in the industry and the users have always loved it. So, we can say it loud and clear that, no force is there to stop the accelerated motion of Google's Android Operating System in near future! So, forget about the failure of Android and think forward for a brighter future with Android Marshmallow!

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The Evolution of an Android Developer over the Years

"Android- the term is self-defined, no introduction is needed! The most successful Operating System on earth of twenty first century was conceived by Android Inc. but, then born to earth on 2007 by Google. There are almost 13 versions or major releases of this Operating System over last 8 years! With every newer version, it became more powerful, more efficient and more user centric and hence gained such a huge popularity in the industry. As it grows, Android developer have been experimenting their fate with the Operating System. Fortunately, Android made them happy with its beautiful features and amazing performance. Developers get tightly coupled with Android by making their Android apps fit for the changing ecosystem of Google's Android OS! Let's see how both Android OS and Android developer evolved out as a winner over the years!"

Born of a titan under a small roof, but with a golden fortune:

It's the Andy Rubin, who conceived Android with co-operation from Rich Miner and Palo Alto in October 2003. There was a time when they were running out of money and struggling severely to keep Android alive! That time, in 2005 Google acquired Android Inc. and started experimenting with the so called Operating System. It had nothing for the Android developers then. It was in need of intensive care from Google's expert team to make it an industry standard.

Google took away the fortunate and refined it to make it fit for the industry:

Initially, Android was focused to become an Operating System for Camera!! But, with the golden touch from Google, it turned out as a mobile device Operating System to challenge the then market leaders like Blackberry, Symbian and Windows. After lots of hip and hops, Google finally released Android V1 on September 23rd 2008. Now it's somehow ready for the developers to test their faith. Developers are given the chance to access its source code and modify them as per their requirements in building their first Android app; because, Android was open source from the very beginning. So for any Android development project an Android developer can access the source code and use it for his app development.

The V1 has many good features for Android developers:

Google was very much clear what it is going to offer to the industry in the future and it is well understood from its first version itself. Android V1 had many developer's features like enabling Android developers to make their app up-to-date from the Android market itself. It also enabled developers in building web apps that can be opened in many windows i.e. multiple browsing window support which is a great thing in Smartphone considering that time and market penetration. Android developers can build web apps for android platform that can be pin to zoom in and out which is really a supernatural stuff of that period. The best part is that, android developers can take the help of the camera app to make their app more interactive; though not like current version. Android V1 also supports multiple web mail servers with IMAP4, SMTP and POP3 etc. This is not the end of the list! Developers are allowed to take the benefit of Google Calendar, Google contacts, Google Maps, etc. to integrate with their Android app. Google talk, Google Sync, Instant messaging and media player are also there to boost the quality of any Android app if gets executed properly.

Android V1.1 released on February 9, 2009:

Though, it has not that much great updates still have some scope for developers to make their app interactive. Now, Google Map enabled developers to take the benefits of reviews for a place when get searched by the Map API. It also enabled Developers to show or hide Dialpad as per the requirement of the user or the app. The most important part is that, it enabled Android developers to attach files to their messages.

Android V1.5 to 2.3 i.e. From C to G versions:

From April 2009 to December 2013, there is tremendous change in the OS and also for the Android developers. In Android Cupcake (C), the developer gets some new features to integrate in his app like virtual keyboard support for the input field of any app, widget support for expanding features of your app, Auto Pairing with Bluetooth was a massive hit then; enabling users and developers in integrating pictures for their mobile contacts app. Other features include animated screen option; auto rotation option, video upload option to YouTube etc. were there. In D i.e. Donut version, Voice search and text search get available for developers to integrate with their app, Option to include developer's content in search result, Multilingual speech support, better features for Camera and gallery apps, etc. Most importantly, it encouraged network developers by providing support for CDMA and EVDO and VPNs, etc. Then, with Android Eclair, developers get features like advanced multi account to get synced with the system, Push mail support, Bluetooth 2.1 support, Double tap support for enhanced user experience through the developer's app. In Android Froyo and Gingerbread, there are many awesome features included for both the developer and the user. Allowing developers to use the Android Cloud to device Messaging services, USB tethering and WiFi hotspot functionalities and controlling mobile data access, etc. Now, developers can make their app with numeric and alphanumeric input option, they can also display both GIF files in their android web app along with support for videos with flash! Then, with Android G which was the most successful version of the Android open its way for developers by giving option to develop high resolution web apps and native apps for the Android users. Download manager, enhanced camera features and graphical enhancements for Android game developers work like a charm. There were many API fixes as well for the developers to make their app truly efficient and faster than before.

Android H to K:

In H version, there was not much scope for android developers, though but Ice-cream has quite something for the developers. Multi core support, OTG Support, Resizable home screen, support for an external keyboard, High Performance WiFi lock and Support for HTTP proxy were boon for the Android developers then. Again, pinch to zoom in calendar, improved visual voice mail, screenshot capture options, data usage controls and support for Webp picture format, etc. made a good choice for Android developers and users as well. With Android Jelly bean, developers get benefits like other language support for their app, USB audio support, providing developers a chance to create third party launchers and widgets, many API fixes, etc. Now with the latest Kitkat, developers get some good features along with enhancements of the existing features like 4k resolution support, more language support, immersive mode support, wireless printing support, Chromium web view, Native Infrared blaster support etc. Now, the upcoming Android M i.e. Marshmallow is coming. Let's see what is there inside for the developers?

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