Android smartphones
Android is a Linux-based operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. It was developed initially by the Open Handset Alliance, led by Google. Google acquired Android inc. in 2005, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary of Google inc.
Android has a large community of developers writing applications ("apps") that extend the functionality of the devices. Apps can be downloaded from third-party sites or through online stores such as Google Play (formerly Android Market), the app store run by Google. In October 2011, there were more than 500,000 apps available for Android.
Recent Android versions
2.3 Gingerbread refined the user interface over previous versions of the Android OS, improved the soft keyboard, added support for Voice over IP (VoIP) calling, and added support for Near Field Communication.
3.0 Honeycomb was a tablet-oriented release which supports larger screen devices and introduces many new user interface features, support for multi-core processors, hardware acceleration for graphics and full system encryption. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, went on sale in February 2011.
3.1 Honeycomb, released in May 2011, added support for extra input devices, USB host mode for transferring information directly from cameras and other devices, and the Google Movies and Books apps.
3.2 Honeycomb, released in July 2011, added optimisation for a broader range of screen sizes, new "zoom-to-fill" screen compatibility mode, loading media files directly from SD card, and an extended screen support API. Huawei MediaPad is the first 7 inch tablet to use this version.
4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, announced October 2011, brought Honeycomb features to smartphones and added new features including facial recognition unlock, network data usage monitoring and control, unified social networking contacts, photography enhancements, offline email searching, app folders, and information sharing using NFC. Android 4.0.4 is the latest Android version that is available to phones.
Connecting Android smartphones to University systems
Because the Android operating system is/was developed as open-source software there are a number of variants of the OS in circulation. Many mobile device providers, such as HTC, add their own front-end interfaces and make changes to how Android behaves. Because of this IT Services cannot guarantee that every Android-based smartphone will function with the University's wireless network access and/or our UniMail email and calendaring systems.