Android Apps: What you need to know about them

Make yourself acquainted with Android applications and their usage. Android apps are applications that have been typically devised with the Java programming language, in collaboration with the Android Software Development Kit. However, there are other development kits such as Android NDK or indigenous tools for extensions or apps in C/C++.

There is a visual setting which is known as Google App Inventor which the beginners and trainee developers use. This is also used by the multiple phone web-based application framework.

The end-users can get Android apps in two methods. They can get them from an applications store like the Amazon App store and Google Play. They can also download them and set up the APK file of the app from a third-party website.

If you are using the Google Play Store, you can surf through, download, and modify apps that are created by the developers and launched by Google. These apps are featured on Google Play Store and can be pre-installed on gadgets which stick to the compatibility criteria of Google. The list of applications that are well-suited to the gadget is screened by the app. In addition, the app developers might limit their apps to specific bearers or transporters for commercial purposes.

Till the month of September 2012, the number of applications available for Android crossed 650,000 and the projected figure of apps which have been downloaded from the Google Play Store surpassed 25 billion. Statistics say that the number of devices in which Android OS was installed crossed 400 million.

Multitasking of Android Applications

The multitasking feature of Android application has been upgraded with the launch of Android Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 version. If the users keep pressing the multitasking button or the home button of an Android gadget, a task manager will come up which features a list of the apps which have been opened lately. The users may choose to start using the app in the state it was used on the previous occasion.

Android software development

This is the procedure where new apps are being generated for the Android OS. A survey conducted in June 2011 substantiates that over 67% of cellular phone developers have utilized the Android platform for publishing apps. Mobile developers are finding the platform extremely user-friendly. In the second quarter of the year 2012, approximately 105 million Android smartphones have been sold which represents an overall share of 68% of smartphone sales figures until that quarter.

Android app development tools
The following tools are used for the app development process:

• Android Software Development Kit (SDK)
• Android Open Accessory Development Kit
• Native development kit
• HyperNext Android Creator
• App Inventor for Android
• The Simple project
• Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL)
• Basic4android

It is worth mentioning that the app developers always face challenges associated with Java standards since no set standard is used for developing them. For this issue, many tools have been developed which help in Android conversion activities. When you review the credentials and prospects of Android app developers, you must make sure to take following tips into consideration, including experience, location, skills etc.