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What is Google Android?

Android
is a Linux-based
mobile operating system, which
is basically the software that runs on
a number of mobile devices, generally
smartphones and tablets. The Android
operating system has been developed by Google and
a collaboration of companies, both mobile device
manufadurers and mobile carriers, called the Open
Handset Alliance (OHA).
According to the OHA, its aim is to enable everyone
in the mobile industry to "innovate more rapidly and
respond better to consumers' demands".
Because Android is an open source software platform,
which means that anyone can use it without having to
pay. multiple manufadurers produce Android phones
(e.g. Samsung,Motorola, Sony.HTC).
The Android platform differs from the closed source
software platform of competitors such as Apple's iOS
and the BlackBerry OS, as both Apple and RIM (Research
In Motion) build their own software and hardware.
Any Android phone comes pre-Ioaded with a range of
Google services including Google Search, Gmail, Google
Maps, Google Earth, Google Calendar, Google Latitude
and YouTube. It also comes with a mobile web browser,
which allows you to access and navigate the Internet on
your phone wherever and whenever you are, provided
you have mobile coverage and an appropriate data pian.
Because Android is an open source piece of software,
Google adively encourages manufadurers to make basic
changes to the look and feel of the user interface. This
means that the interface of an Android phone from one
manufadurerwilllook
and feel different from the Android
phone made by another manufadurer, despite the fad

TECHNICAL

that both phones run the same software platform.This is


not possible on the iPhone.
An Android phone requires the use of a Google account,
and this lets you automatically back up your data. An
Android phone automatically synchronises your Google
calendar mail and contads databases over-the-air. If you
add a new contad or calendar event on your pc, it will
automatically appear on your phone and vice versa. If
you don't have a Google account, you can create one
on the phone itself. In the unfortunate event that you
lose or misplace your phone, your data will be stored on
your Google account; the next time you sign into your
account on another Android phone, your contacts and
information will be incorporated.
The Android platform was built with mobile apps frmly in
mind, and these are downloadable through what's called
the Google Play Store (formerly known as the Android
Market), which comes with every Android phone. Both
free and paid apps are available.
As part of the OHA's commitment to innovate and
respond more rapidly to consumers, Google has
standardised what is called a software update. On
average, the Android platform is updated two or three
times a year and each software update provides new
features and ameliorations.
These updates are free and are usually provided "over-theair" - this means the software is pushed to your device
wirelessly. so you often don't need to plug your phone
into your computer to receive the update. The timing and
delivery of Android software updates depends on a number
of factors including your mobile phone manufadurer and
your mobile carrier.

ENGLlSH
open source software software open source

closed source software software proprietario

account

platform piattaforma

I
I

app

update aggiornamento

Read the text, then answer the following questions.

Who developed Android OS?

What makes it different from other operating systems like Apple iOS and Blackberry

Why do Android phones from different manufacturers

What does Google account allow users to do?

How can apps be downloaded?

How often is the Android platform updated?

How is the software provided?

What affects the ti me and delivery of the updates?

have a different look?

OS?

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